The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-02-22


The bells long looked for and anxiously expected,
have at length arrived, and are now safely housed
in this city. They were unloaded yesterday and
placed upon the wharf, where quite crowd OF the
curious soon gathered to view the welcome visl-
tants. It was supposed that arrangements could
have been perfected with the Custom House au-
thorities so as to allow the Ves1y to have the bells
and awrit the payment Of the dues for short
| time at a telegram received from Washington
| soon dissipated this fond illusion, and the bells
are now entered in the Custom House stores until
the duties are paid. The petition which WAS sent
from this city has evidently fallen to the ground
still-born, and we have now no one to look to but
ourselves. The work Of reconstruction is evident
ly left in our own hands-the powers that be con-
tenting themselves with having. displayed de-
structive spirit whose rayages will not and cannot
be repaired for many years.
The first visit to the bells has been most satls-
factory. They have been shipped and received IN
the best order, and in every respect complete
ly ready for service. They are eight in number,
and are of different sizes and sounds, forming ON
octave that is capable Of various modulations. On
the side Of each is inscribed ssMEARNs d STAIN
BANK London Foundry, St. Mchaefs CHIMES,
Charleston, South Carolina, 1867.
9. These bells came out furnished with all the ap-
paratus necessary to raise and keep them suspend
ed in the tower, and, before they can be replaced,
the old framework will have to bo removed and
the new substituted. This will occupy some time,
and If the bells are released from the Custom
House, it will be at least two weeks before our
ears can be regaled with their tuneful notes.
The bells were much damaged by the Columbia
raid, and only sufficient fragments were obtained
to perfect the renovating of fve and the remain
ing three were made from new metal. Fortunate
", the old records of the company had been Kept,
and the quantity Of the different metals IN the new
composition was the same in every respect as that
employed before. The sizes were the same as be-
fore the regeneration and the different bells were
easily recognized by those who had been familiar
with them. Event the famous curfew, old Hamil-
ton, was instantly pointed out and hopes expressed
that the day was not far distant when the and 10
o'clock notes would again sound o. the evening
air.. ,sf -. y 3: u -. ti,": >, VI ..-;s'A,
But these are, for the present. irrelevant matters
The bells are here, have arrived safely, and only
await the payment Of the legitimate dues to be
delivered. These dues must be raised, and that
speedily. We all know and adore our dear old
chimes-the only relic Of the past are Ger
tainly willing to pay them reverence. The duties
amount to but q small sum comparatively, and by
liberal donations this can be easily raised, and We
can claim our own again. There are few, no mat
ter how humble their circumstances, who would
not be willing to contribute their mite to this holy
cause, and by little generous sacrifice the sum
needed, about s270O, can be easily raised.
Subscription lists will be opened in our Office for
this purpose, and we earnestly invite all who have
the interest of the city st heart to come forward
and lend their aid to the cause.