And with this Doctrine accords very well, that
Rooms hung with Black, are not only Darker than else they would be, but are
wont to be Warmer too; Insomuch that I have known a great Lady, whose
Constitution was somewhat Tender, complain that she was wont to catch Cold,
when she went out into the Air, after having made any long Visits to
Persons, whose Rooms were hung with Black. And this is not the only Lady I
have heard complain of the Warmth of such Rooms, which though perhaps it
may be partly imputed to the _Effluvia_ of those Materials wherewith the
hangings were Dy'd, yet probably the Warmth of such Rooms depends chiefly
upon the same Cause that the Darkness does; As (not to repeat what I
formerly Noted touching my Gloves,) to satisfie some Curious Persons of
that Sex, I have convinc'd them, by Tryall, that of two Pieces of Silken
Stuff given me by themselves, and expos'd in their Presence, to the same
Window, Shin'd on by that Sun, the White was _considerably_ Heated, when
the Black was not so much as _Sensibly_ so.
9. Sixthly, I remember, that Acquainting one Day a _Virtuoso_ of
Unsuspected Credit, that had Visited Hot Countries, with part of what I
have here Deliver'd concerning Blackness, he Related to me by way of
Confirmation of it, a very notable Experiment, which he had both others
make, and Made himself in a Warm Climate, namely, that having carefully
Black'd over Eggs, and Expos'd them to the Hot Sun, they were thereby in no
very Long time well Roasted, to which Effect I conceive the Heat of the
Climate must have Concurr'd with the Disposition of the Black Surface to
Reflect the Sunbeams Inward, for I remember, that having made that among
other Tryals in _England_, though in Summer-time, the Eggs I Expos'd,
acquir'd indeed a considerable Degree of Heat, but yet not so Intense a
One, as prov'd Sufficient to Roast them.
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