Whispering place, Gloucester Cathedral
Date
29 October 1662
Creator
Unknown, Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p40
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 358mm
width (page): 226mm
width (page): 226mm
Subject
Content object
Description
The layout and structure of a narrow passage in Gloucester Cathedral behind the high altar called a ‘whispering gallery’, in the shape of half of an irregular polygon, about 20 yards in length. A gentle whisper at the end of this gallery was audible for the entire length of the gallery. Its description by Henry Powle was read at the meeting of the Royal Society on 5 November 1662. Earlier in the year (August 1662), fellows such as Robert Boyle, Jonathan Goddard, Walter Charleton and William Croone were discussing echoes and sounds, and had sought information about the whispering gallery from Henry Powle.
Transcription
A. Part of the Quire. BC the Two Iles on the sides of the Quire.
DEF the Eastern window of the Quire.
DGENTPV The Passage or Whispering Place.
HI The little Chappel or Cell. MNO The three little window in the Roof.
P The Dore into the stairs, going to the Top of Vir. Marys chappel.
KL The side between the Passage and the chappel in which are 13 windows and a Doore into the chappel all standing open.
RS the places where the Roof rises from six foot 3 inches to be 8 foot 4 inches high.
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
DEF the Eastern window of the Quire.
DGENTPV The Passage or Whispering Place.
HI The little Chappel or Cell. MNO The three little window in the Roof.
P The Dore into the stairs, going to the Top of Vir. Marys chappel.
KL The side between the Passage and the chappel in which are 13 windows and a Doore into the chappel all standing open.
RS the places where the Roof rises from six foot 3 inches to be 8 foot 4 inches high.
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
Object history
At the meeting of the Royal Society on 20 August 1662, ‘Mr Powle was directed to be written to by Mr Oldenburg, that he would send the society an exact description of the whispering-place in the cathedral of Gloucester.’ Birch 1: 105.
On 5 November 1662, ‘ Mr Powle’s description of the whispering-place in the cathedral of Gloucester was brought in by Mr Oldenburg, and read; and the scheme of it was ordered to be drawn in the great, against the next meeting; which Mr Winde undertook to do.’ Birch 1: 120. Text reproduced in Birch 1: 120-23. This suggests that this diagram could have been copied from an original by William Winde.Henry Powle
On 5 November 1662, ‘ Mr Powle’s description of the whispering-place in the cathedral of Gloucester was brought in by Mr Oldenburg, and read; and the scheme of it was ordered to be drawn in the great, against the next meeting; which Mr Winde undertook to do.’ Birch 1: 120. Text reproduced in Birch 1: 120-23. This suggests that this diagram could have been copied from an original by William Winde.Henry Powle
Related fellows
Associated place