The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-13
SPAIN.

Past and Present-The Noise Of the Bells-
The demolition of Religious Institutions
The Uses 10 Which the Churches are Ap.
piled. w.. 40 ,s.o
No one who has been in Seville under the old gov
eminent VIII forget the noisy cangor of the innumer
able bells that rung out OF the hundred steeples
and towers OF the CITY, Under some prctext or other
these horrid bells were turned over and over, or
beaten with hammers, until they seemed TO be all
voice. and that voice most unpleasant, harsh and
cracked-complain OF the wrong sound or service
they were compelled TO perform. The midnight
hour, or those pleasant moments just ct the
break OF day when people enjoy sleep, were
quite as likely 10 be disturbed as the noon
day hour by the brazen-mouthed wardens
OF the lofty Giralda mingling with the grand chorus
from their Jarring companions in the more modest
seeples in every part OF the town, No hour or
moment was sacred to quiet. long line OF saints
had their birthdays and days OF departure for glory
ana not an anniversary OF either event was allowed
10 glide by without the accompanying jubilee OF
bells The effect was dreadful IN persons OF weak
nerves. They were hurried out OF fair Seville
wretched wrecks their nerves twitching as though
all the bell ringers in the city were pulling them In
their frantic STYLE one can enjoy tile silver music
OF those most musical bells OF the Kremln and III
churches OF MOSCOW, because they soft but clear
in tone and harmonious when rung in concert. But
10 1tly characterize them VIII any one be sur
prised, then, 70 learn that the long suffering people
turned Their attention to the bell towers, As
well as 10 other offensive objects. when
they had established their Revolutionary
Junta, ana quietly informed the bishop that there
must be less NOISY rejoicing in the future over de-
parted saints. The bells must not he rung except
On grand occasions for any saint sinner formerly
resident OF the town, and when they are exercised
IN the morning. at noon and at eight O'Clock nj night
they must be allowed repose quickly as is COM
patible with the interests OF that portion OF the
10 rn .fn atn lie i.n,
suits of the revolution are becoming bStter known
and more widely appreciated daily and In way
mas II accomplished anything more agreeable TO the
nnabltanls than In suppressing the incessant and
internal cangor OF the cracked bells of Seville.
Now lei the watchmen, who walk their nightly
rounds with shepherds crook ana the traditional
lantern be suppressed as TO their cracked voices and
peace and quiet will again Owed within the city
walls. Willie these drawing dlsturbers OF nightly
repose are permitted to carry their profession OF
bawlng out the hours at the top OF their voices and
informing the uninterested Inhabitants Of every fact
connected with the weather and the heavens at the
time, the revolution has not accomplished its egit-
mate work Let US hope that il win not stop short
or gagSing these worthy Dogberres and giving
peace the Innocent aud vrtu0us citizens or Seville
The city laborers are still busily engaged in de-
mollshing churches and converts, and In altering
others for public places. Eight churches, some OF
them very old, are to be demolished, and the men
are at work on four at the present time. The
CHURCHES Of the Jesuis were singled out for immc-
date destruction, and the people never worked
harder In their lives than in tearing these eddces
TO pieces They worked like men who had their soul
In what they were doing and chetred each other
on by cries OF .'Down with the Bourbonsr' "Down
with the Church ~ Four parish churches are sup
pressed and devoted TO public meetings or any kind.
II Is In these venerable edces. which completely
swept OF the paintings images and ornaments. that
the people assemble 10 hear the orators Of the time
and TO arrange for the coming election. The Church
OF ST. Francisco de Paula has been converted into
public school, where free instruction is given, ana
the church and convent OF the Capucns has been
transformed into prison. Three converts are to
he demolished, Two TO be converted into schools
another to be used as the storehouse OF the munich
pality. There are plenty OF churches leit-many
more than can be needed 10y the people. In
two minutes walk to-day l passed and counted
in one locality ten churches, besides n num-
Der OF converts. No city IN the world possesses
more churches according to its population
than Seville, and many of them can lie well spared.
The affairs confessional boxes and silver are turned
over TO the bishop while the paintings If they
any merit, 20 TO the Museum, where also de-
posted the wooden images OF saints, some or them
exqusitey carved and painted. Everything vau-
abe In an artistic way il preserved for the people
and the bishop takes the balance Of The furniture If
he cares for It, The division is rather favorable TO
the people, as you may imagine. All the material!
from the demolished churches and converts IL sold
for the benefit OF the city. ana the land on which
they stood, some OF 10 extremely valuable viii also
be sold to Increase the income OF the municipality.
The proceeds win undoubtedly be sufficient TO pay
the wages OF the workmcn through the winter.