The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-05-25

California to-day, though comparatively
old in tradition, is young in history, and
her cities, as yet, cannot boast much of
their bells or their chimes. The solemn
notes of NOtre Dame, the ponderous peals
of the old Cathedral cities In Flanders and
of st. Petersburg, Westminster and Rome,
the gladstone bells to be found In such
rich profusion amid the old abbey towns
and historical villages of old England are
unfamiliar to San Franciscans, except by
memory or hearsay. Some of the old mis-
sion bells through the southern portion of
the State, especially, have n history all
their own. but beyond that they have little
to make them famous. A recent chronicler
of these CID missions tells US that the sill
ver-tOned bells of Mission San Juan Capis-
tfano, which were almost destroyed by
earthquake during divine service in 1912,
still remain, and are rung daily by the old
Padre. These bells contain about 3 per
cent of silver. and have particularly sweet
tone. Within the last few years several of
the mission bells have been melted for
their intrinsic value, but those of Santa
Barbara, San Miguel. San Fernando. San
Diego and San Juan Cspistrano are still in
tact"
In point of fact, San Francisco has ample
room for some splendid chimes yet. With
one solitary exception there is not peal
worthy Of the name. True, there are plenty
OF people in this utilitaTian age who would
Danish bells and beil-ringing altogether
from our midst. Noisy and useless. so they
affirm, bells are an old-fashioned nuisance
that modern-day notions prompt US to get
quit Of as speedily as possible. associations
and all. Indeed.
THE ART OF BELL-RINGING,
So dear to the lovers Of campanology. prom
ises soon enough to be lost one. Modern
science and its practical, new-fangled ideas
are rudely hurrying IL TO death. In large
number of instances, for example, tubes,
resembling ordinary gas-pipes in appear
ance, Of varying length and size, though
made out Of the same bell-metal, that has
with its music charmed the bell lovers Of
the past, are fast taking the place of the
old-time peal of bells. They take up
scarcely any room, are no strain on the
timbers or masonry of the tower, and what
is more in this laboI-saving age, are rung
by an automatic electric hammer that
strikes the chimes on the suspended tubes.
Pretty enough results are produced in this
way, even If ones old ideas are shocked by
so rude an innovation. The sound, too is
more subdued and sweeter, if not penetrat-
ing 10 quite so great distance.
As has been said, none of our city
churches can lay claim to any merit in
their bells, with the single exception of ST.
Patrick's. The bell at ST. Ignatius Church,
or the Jesuit College, cast out of steel in
stead of bell metal, was originally sent out
for the Fire Department here, who refused
\ to accept it on Its arrival. 1t was then
bought and presented by Mr.. 0'COnnor to
! the church, where it was blessed and turned
over to religious use. AT the old Mission
Church, on the corner of Sixteenth and
Dolores, there are three bells of some fame
as TO age, being ia years old, originally
coming from Spain, and consequently when
in their prime. with the admxture of silver
that the Spaniards and Mexicans always put
into their bells, of very sweet tone. Now
i neglect of long years, there is little melody
/ in their music. 1t is of Interest to note,