The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-07-01
Centennial Chimes.

times also, just as the operator takes the
notion. The bells are thirteen in number,
representing the original thirteen States.
Their aggregate weight is 2l 900 pounds,
that of the largest being 5000 and that Of
the smallest $50. They were cast by
McShane 4 Co., of Baltimore, and 1t is
claimed that the chime is the finest in this
country. II is operated by Professor f.
widows, who carries huge silver bell
on his watch chain. He formerly had
charge Of the chimes at the Metropolitan
Church in Washington.
The bells are immovably suspended from
an immense horizontal square frame on the
tOpmost floor of the tower. Each bell has
two hammers, one heavy, the other light,
the latter being mufiied, so as to cause a
soft tone whenever desirable. On the
floor, below the centre of the frame, are
twenty-six triangular levers, piyoted at
one angle, so that pull or depression on
the outer arm causes the hammer attached
to the other arm to strike the bell. These
outer arms are connected, by means Of
long elastic strips Of wood running through
the ceiling, with the operating apparatus,
which is directly beneath the bells on the
next floor below. On the operating floor
there is frame containing two sets Of
levers, which look and work like pump
handles The upper sOt contains thirteen
levers, which operate the muffied hammers.
The lower set contains the same number,
and they work the heavy ones. To pre-.
vent too much stiffness the wooden strips,
twenty-six in number, are connected with
the triangular levers above, and with the
pump" levers below by means of leather
straps. The latter levers are operated by
hand, but, if desired, they may be discon-
nected from the upright strips, aud these
fastened with long straps to set of thir-
teen pedals at the bottom of the frame.
The Professor has no less than one
thousand pieces in his repertoire, but he
boasts far more Of the merits of the bells
than of his own accomplishments. He
tells you they are maiden" bells, which
means that they are now just as they came
from the moulds, having required no other
turning than the proper mixture Of their
metallic ingredients and making them Of
the right size. Visitors sit in the nearest
shade to Machinery Hall aud listen to the
music Of these bells. They think, as the
clear, silvery sound strikes their graceful
ears, what a delightful occupation the
Professor has-with nothing to do but
worship Orpheus all day long. He has,
for instance, just begun "Sweet vale of
Avoca, how calm could l rest" Up you
go to the third floor Of the tower, and if
you say that the Professor is resting, or
that he is evidently in the land Of poetic
dreams, there are people who would thank
you for defining the condition of short,
stout gentleman, partially bald, with
British-cut whiskers and round, good
natured face, hopping from side to side of
the frame, pressing down the levers as
rapidly as an expert pianist manipulates
the keys of his instrument, and perspiring
in manner extremely damaging to linen.
The professor has thrown aside his hat,
coat and waistcoat. He is playing "Still
so gently Ger me stealing" But, shade
of his own townsman, Poe, look how
quickly the great drops of perspiration
steal DER his face | He stands at his
work. The upper set of levers is breast
high. Down goes the deepest bass with
lightning movement and heavy thud. 1t
springs back to its place by the weight of
the hammer on the triangular lever above.
The other pump" levers do the same.
He gently touches a soprano, sharply jerks
treble, shoves tenor half way down,
throws his whole weight on bass-and
all while one would say "Jack Robinson .
As the extremities Of each set of levers
are over five feet apart, and it requires a
pressure of twenty pounds to depress some
Of them to their furthest extent, cool
calculator may form some conception of
the amount of physical labor which the
professor must accomplish in executing
such flighty compositions as Yankee Doo-
die and Captain Jinks. And yet he never
misses a note, never makes push where
he means a jerk, and never hits the wrong
bell If anybody is everybody's man, it
is the professor. He plays "The Wearing
of the Green" and there are thousand
Hibernian listeners ready to swear they
knew him in 9Th ould dart, !" where he
was "the broth Of boy in airnest." The
Marseillaise resounds over the Park, and
nine hundred and ninety-nine Frenchmen
are skipping about like kangaroos, with
thejoy of discovering that "la belle France"
possesses SO gifted son. Now he takes
up another air, and in Lauber's restaurant
Al. L Il - y =