Besides, it does not appear from experiment that bees are in any way capable of being affected by sounds; for I have often tried my own with a large speaking trumpet held close to their hives, and with such an exertion of voice as would have hailed a ship at the distance of a mile, and still these insects pursued their various employments undisturbed, and without showing the least sensibility or resentment. Some time since its discovery this echo is become totally silent, though the object, or hop kiln, remains; nor is there any mystery in this defect; for the field between is planted as a hop garden, and the voice of the speaker is totally absorbed and lost among the poles and entangled foliage of the hops. And when the poles are removed in autumn the disappointment is the same; because a tall quickset hedge, nurtured up for the purpose of shelter to the hop ground, entirely interrupts the impulse and repercussion of the voice; so that till those obstructions are removed no more of its garrulity can be expected. Should any gentleman of fortune think an echo in his park or outlet a pleasing incident, he might build one at little or no expense. For whenever he had occasion for a new barn, stable, dog kennel, or like structure, it would be only needful to erect this building on the gentle declivity of a hill, with a like rising opposite to it, at a few hundred yards distance; and perhaps success might be the easier insured could some canal, lake, or stream intervene. From a seat at the centrum phonicum he and his friends might amuse themselves sometimes of an evening with the prattle of this loquacious nymph; of whose complacency and decent reserve more may be said than can with truth of every individual of her sex. THE PLEASURES OF MEMORY. BY SAMUEL ROGERS. [SAMUEL ROGERS: An English poet; born at Newington Green, London, July 30, 1763; died in London, December 18, 1855. He was carefully educated by private tutors, and when about seventeen years old entered his father's bank, where he remained during the rest of his life, succeeding his father as proprietor in 1793. His best-known poem, "The Pleasures of Memory " (1792), passed through many editions. His other works include: "The Voyage of Columbus" (1812), Jacqueline" (1813), "Human Life" (1819), and "Italy" (1822).] SWEET memory, wafted by thy gentle gale, Ages and climes remote to Thee impart The friends of Reason, and the guides of Youth, From Thee sweet Hope her airy coloring draws; When Joy's bright sun has shed his evening ray, The beauteous maid, that bids the world adieu, The whispered vow, the chaste caress prolong, But not till Time has calmed the ruffled breast, From Guinea's coast pursue the lessening sail, And from his nerveless frame indignantly recedes. Yet here, even here, with pleasures long resigned, When the rude scourge presumes its base control; And chant the rude, traditionary verse, Ah! why should Virtue dread the frowns of Fate? Hers what no wealth can win, no power create! A little world of clear and cloudless day, |