Morning journal and courier., 1888-12-18
BEAUr1FUL BELLS.

BEAUTIFUL BELLS. An Interesting Paper by Justus s. Horchkiss Before the Historical SO- ciety-BeIIs of Russia, China, Japan, England, America and the Superstf- tIons of the People-Bfg Bells of Russia.
 An interesting and scholarly paper was
 read by Justus 8. Hotcltkiss before the New New Haven Colony Historical society last evening on 'Bells." The paper gave evi- dence of extensive research among the | crumbled ruins of all countries, and most happily pictured the affections of different peoples for the rythmio music of the bells In speaking of the bells of England, MT. l Hotchkiss said: The custom of ringing the curfew bell, which "tolls the knell of parting day." was probably introduced into England | by William the Conqueror. There were many superstitions connected with the ring | ing of bells in early times. They were used also to mark hours and divisions of time. The Swiss bells were always marked by ex- quisite musical character. Bells have been used from time immemoria1 as 8 summons to the gathering of men. They have been vividly described by the American poet, Edgar A. Poe, in his beautiful poem of 'The Bells"
 Russia exceeds all other countries in the number of her bells. The great bell of Mos COW is called the queen of bells. It wss cast in 1703 and hangs in the magnificent Krem- lin. The numberless bells of Moscow con- tinue to ring throughout Easier week without art or order. They vibrate from the deep roll of the 0,000 pound bells to the delicate tones, so wonderfully soft and pure, of the smaller chimes. It would seem strange to cast bells so large as to be in continual danger of falling if it were not that they are used as
 means of communication between different parts of an empire that gathers about it's bells as about talisman of fortune. The Chinese are celebrated for bells and
 gowns. But the bells being thick are dis cordant as the gowns. They are sounded by
 clapper from the outside. Their hideous tones are supposed to be intentional to in- spire awe. They find no music in their in
 tonations. A bell near Mandela in Burmah
 is heavier than the great bell of Pekin. In manufacture of bells. The Mohammedans shan bells religiously, as they consider them a mark of Nazarene. The belfries in Japan are usually separate buildings apart from the temples. Small bells are rung by worship- pers as they enter to attract the attention of the gods.
 The heaviest bell in the United States hangs in the city hall in New York. It was cast in Boston. The independence bell in Philadelphia weighs 1,500 pounds and was cracked when ringing in honor of Henry Clay to Philadelphia in 1856.
 The inscriptions on old European bells are
 beautiful and curious. Oh one in Cornwall, England, cast in 1899, is: Jesus fulfil with thy good grace All that we beckon to this place. On one in Hampshire, cast in 1900, is:
 God be guide.
 One in Nottinghamshire, 1913, has: Jesus be our speed
 Another has:
 When do ring Gods praises sing; When do tol Gods word extol.
 One in Cambridgeshire 1907, has: Of all the bells in Bonnet
 And yet, for my casting, cost the least
 One in Derbyshire has: Mandkind like me are eften found, Possessed with naught but empty sound
 Mr.Hotchkiss gave many other curious and
 amusing inscriptions.
 Napoleon" said he, "was deeply moved
 by the sound of church bells as he strolled
 with the Empress Josephine in his favorite
 palace gardens of Mamaison. It is where arranged in chimes that bells have obtained their widest celebrity. Among the finest set of chimes in the world are those
 of Copenhagen and Ghent. In some places
 in Europe steel bars are used in place of bells, producing clear and melodious sounds. Bells or glass 6lsO are mduo tnAG produce cleAr anu fine tones, but the material is too brittle and liable to fracture to become of general use. In the early history of the colony of New Haven it was a custom to beat a drum in the meeting house at 8 o'clock, and families soon after proceeded forth to service. The first bell in New Haven was rung in chapel located on site between the liberty pole and Center church. In 1868 the first fire alarm ! telegraph was adopted by the fire commits | sioners of New Haven at cost of $10,00O. The bell in the Hopkins Grammar school ! is an old Spanish one and bears prominent | ly the inscription "Ora pronobis." It is | covered with crosses and quaint Spanish characters. It formerly belonged to mon- sstry in Florida and was found by traveller \ among the ruins. He sent it to his home in \ this city and finally presented it to the \ school.
 MT. Hotchkiss ended his scholarly and in- | teresting paper with an extract from Schil- | ler's "Song of the Bell"
 After Mr. Hotchkiss' remarks Professor \ Simeon E. Baldwin and others of the society gave many entertaining "reminiscences of bells | here and elsewhere.
 ! MT. Trowbridge stated that when the Trin- | ity church bell was cast in 1872 enc hundred ! silver dollars were thrown into it.