Whispering place, Gloucester Cathedral
Date
17th century
Creator
Unknown, Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p1
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 296mm
width (page): 190mm
width (page): 190mm
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 its entire length. 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 including Robert Boyle, Jonathan Goddard, Walter Charleton and William Croone were discussing echoes and sounds, and had sought information about the whispering gallery from Powle.
Other versions of these images can be found at Cl.P/7i/29/001, Cl.P/2/33/003, RBO/2ii/040, RBO/2i/034, MS/215/031 and MS/776/232-33.
Other versions of these images can be found at Cl.P/7i/29/001, Cl.P/2/33/003, RBO/2ii/040, RBO/2i/034, MS/215/031 and MS/776/232-33.
Transcription
The Draught and Description of ye whispering place in Glocester Abbey
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
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 diagram may be among the originals that William Winde 'undertook to do'.
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 diagram may be among the originals that William Winde 'undertook to do'.
Related fellows
Associated place