Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-01-18
A Boston Notion.

lull OF maturcd systems, nSciul COntrlVdH'
ces and odd conveniencics, as this same
Boston. The city maxim seems to be,
that "thcrc's best way Of doing things"
In public and domestic affairs the solid
men of Boston" are not content with
simple achievement. but they must have
achievement by the bet methods.
The latest illustration of this is :hcir
scientific way of giving fire alarm, and
and calling out and guiding their fire de-
partmcnt. A very simple matter, one
would think, to raise the window and
shout fire two or three times and leave the
alarm to spread. Every villagcr knows
how to pull bcll'rope, and ring till he's
tired. Every New Yorker knows how to
count the booming strokes o(,hc big bells
as they tell off the distric, number. A
very simple thing! One way is just as
good as another, so long as rousng
alarm is started.
By no means. These Boston men have
found out best way.
Ifyour house takes fire, and gets past
domestic control, and you feel it nccessa.
ry to appeal to the municipal authorities
for help, do not be at all excited or alarm
ed. DO not make yourself red in the
face, and hoarse with shouting. Put on
your hat and run to yonder corner, where
you see that little iron box fastened up
against the wall; step into The store, ask
quietly for the key, adding, "My house
is on fire - by way Of apology for the in.
,rusion; now unlock the little iron door,
and remembering that the longest way
round is sometimes the shortest way home
obey the inscription and "turn six times
slowly" Your rcsponpillity is ended
You've done all you need to. Boston
will take care of your house. Shut to
the little door. Hurry home, or the en-
gincs will be there before you!
Every bell in the city and several
more across the water are telling people
where you live, that your house is on fire
In other parts of the city men with glaz
ed hats and brass trumpets may be seen
running to these same little iron boxes
they seem to whisper a moment, and then
they listen; and then they look very
knowing, and slap their door to; and here
they come, all pell nell to your help
How much time has elapsed since yOr
needed help? Perhaps three minutes
There's best way of giving an alarm
that's fact.
But how is it done?
That little iron box you opened was ;
} telegraph station; you can see the wire.
where they come down through those two
} iron pipes into the box. The crank yol
turned is merely a contrivance that en-
ables an experienced person to send th'
only message ever sent from this box
its own number. Just so hand orgar
5 enables the grinder to play one tun'
, we'll, even though he be an organist
; You turned it six times. Once would
have been enough, but six times over
| and every time the same number, ther
could be no mistake. The central ofic'
knew in an instant of your distress.
Yes, but how did that make the bell
ring all over the city, and East Bostor
too? Do they keep a sexton at ever.
bell rope, all the time ready topull whe'
t anybody telegraphs?
!. No. That would be full as bad as tn
D New York plan Of keeping watchmen "
5 in the fire towers, on a perpetual look
: out. That would not be scientific
enough for "best" way. But you know
: church clock strikes the hours wi,hou
: any help from the sexton except to wine
u it up. Jus, so the bells are rung for fire
u in every steeple there is a machine lik
; the striking tram ofa clock. These ma
= chimes will make several hundred blow
: each, with their heavy hammers by beinI
: wound up once.
It When you sent off your dispatch,
S went direct to third story room OF
1t Court Square, and was read by maj
whose business it is to attend to sucl
u messages. From this same room he can
IS by touching key, send by another Sc
l. of wires current Of galvanism to ever.
n steeple in the city. lfyou look you cal
J. see those wires entering every steepl
l. that holds good bell. When this gal
/. vanic current passes into the severa
q steeples, it cifculates in each around
l. bar Of soft iron, which instantly become
'e powerful magnet, strong enough to iii