Smyrna times., 1871-10-04
M SC e Tia 10 e Gus.
For the Smyrna Timesl
The Curfew Bell.

AS sit In my quiet study this cool Septem-
ber evening hear ringing forth from dozen
towers the clear tones of the 'curteW bell"
As tins Is one OF the pecuIiaritics of the
manufacturing villages of New England. a
Drle1 sketch OF Its history may be read with
interest '
The origin of the practice of ringing this
eVenlng Deil IS traced to the middle ages was
common in France at a very early are wbero
Ine haWe, now so common, was given it, The
trench conrTe Jeu, (cover the fire, as the word
ln.npoitSl was the bell rung as signal foi all
nreS 10 De put out and silence to reign through
out the town. Its introduction into England is
accredited to King William, the Conoueror.
who caused bell to be rung, little after sun
set ln the Simmer and at eight o'clock in the
evening OF the Winter months, at which time
the hre upon the hearth Was to be extiugulsh-
Ell ana the people remain quietly within doors.
under penalty OF law.
hlng, but was regarded by the people rather
as an evidence of the interest felt by the King
In the safety OF his subjects. 1t was a police
regulation and safeguard against fire.
In the sixteenth century the night watch of
London were required to pass through the
streets ringing bell and crying Take care OF
hre and candle be kind to the poor, and pray
for the dead. " 1t was also part Of his duty
70 pronounce blessing upon the sleepers a.
ne passed, and 1t is to this custom that Milton
ailudes when In " Iii Penserose," he writes
The beman drowsy charm
| To bless the doors from nightly harm"
Something similar to this was practised in
Phlla. and other large cities of this country
even IN quite recent years as will be remem.
bered by many who lived in the CITY twenty
| he Oh.
hour and the character of the night and nv
piece OF news that would be of general interest.
AlIuslon Is made by Gray in the "Elegy,
to our classic bell
THE curfew tolls the knell OF parting dav
| The lowing heards wind slowly o 'er the lea
The pIowman homeward plods his weary way
And leaves the world to darkness aud to me-
Longtehow sings of it thus sWeetly-
"Solsmnly mournfuy dealing Its dole
The curfew bell is beginning TO toll;
Cover the smber, put out the light
IoiI comes with the morning and with the night
Dark grow the windows and quenched is the Ore:
sound fades into silence all footsteps retire,
NO voice In the chambers, sound ths hall
Sleep aud oblivion reign all"
In 100 King Henry l. having assembled the
throne annued the law concerning the culfa, 4
and voluntary custom was introduced OF ring
ing nine clock bell throughout the year
|
serVance. Ii came IN time to be called iii,
prayer bell, and was observed as the houl
for family devOtions and retirement. At tha
DELL all ADJUSTMENTS ceased, visitors repaired e
their homes, and order prevailed
LougfellOw also alludes to this custom. II
the beautiful lines of "Evangeline. " ii,
writes.
Anon the bell from the bey hour of nne-th
village curfew-and straightway
Rose the guests and departed silence reRned In tn
household"
The influence of this custom is still felt il
every New England village or city. | hav.
seen scores OF persons leave the house in tn,
midst OF an interesting lecture or Sermon wher
he curfew bell began to ring and twice AZ
many more in the next half hour if the lee
turer or speaker did not take the suggestion
and end his discourse.
1t Is our almost universal custom to clos,
our religious services at that hour. If possible
Ii continued after the nine clock bell ring
we are subject to the interruption of persons
leaving the house almost continually Thi
may be pardoned when we remember that the
same bell with its unreIenting iron tongue call.
hundreds Of the same people to hard work Al
SIX o clock the following morning. S. L. G.