The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-08-27
Melodious Bells.
From the Detroit Free Press.

rEoul tue DStiO1A CieG EicoSs
Bells have always been regarded by the
ignorant and superstitious as invested with
miraculous powers, and even educated peo
pie are often extremely sensitive to their
ringing. Although their deep sonorous
peals, arousing imaginative effects formerly
attributed to them, are no longer believed,
there is a certain awe in the solemn peal of
the toling bell A chime of sweet bells
has weirdly soothing power, and the joy
ful ringing Of troop of bells makes all
who hear it jubilant.
One of the peculiar beliefs of earlier
days was that bells drove away evil spirits,
ealmed the sea as far as they could be
heard, and if rung during thunder storm
saved the country from disaster. Strange
tales have been told of bells that were
rung by unseen hands, which circumstance
was always followed by some public calami
ty.
The subject of bells has always been a
most fascinating one Poets have dis
coursed upon them in lyric rhymes. Our
own Longfellow wrote no less than nine
poems on bells, the most famous being his
"Bells of Lynn"
There will be a great gathering of the
bells at the Columbian Exposition. Among
them will be the old slave bell that used to
call the slaves of Fontainbleu to work in
Louisiana, that cracked its sides for joy
when it rang the emancipation peal, since
which, owing to the fssure, it has never
rung again.
The first bell ever rung in this country
pealed from the first church built in this
country, erected in 1894, by Columbus, at
San Domingo. 1t is now in the City of
Washington.
The Independence bell was cast in 175l.
This bell, although made quarter of
century before the Continental Congress
went into session, bore this remarkable in
scription
proclaim liberty throughout all the
land to all the inhabitants thereof"
Inscriptions on bells of ancient date are
always of interest. A compilation of those
that are in rhymes is quite unique.
An old peal of bells, each bearing
motto, was taken down from the belfry at
St. Michael at Conventry in 1915. Each
bell was numbered and inscribed, and some
of the rhyming inscriptions were very ap-
propriate On No. 4, the workman's bell,
was this
81 ring at 6 to let men know
When to and from their work they 60
On No. Z, the sermon bell:
II ring to sermon with lusty bombe,
That all may come and none may stay at
home
On No. 8, the fire bell
81 am and have been called the common
bell,
To ring when FIRE breaks out to tell
There is an old bell at ST. Sidewells, Exc
ter, which bears this boastful inscription
Il mean to make it understood
That tho I'm little, yet I'm good.
In Newton Abbot Church is one that
reads in similar strain
Although am both light and small,
| will be heard above you ALL.
These rhyming inscriptions are found
mostly in England. In Derbyshire there
is bell with this couplet
'Mankind like me are often found
Possessed of naught but hollow sound
Also one with this quaint rhyme;
"When of departed hours we toll the knell,
instruction take and use the future WELL
In Warwickshire bell has this
81 sound TO bid the sick repent
In hope of life when breath is spent.
This lugubrious rhyme comes from
bell in Hampshire
"Unto the church do you call
Death to the grave will summon all
On fire bell in Shelburne:
''Lord quench this furious fame.
Arise run help put out the same.
Amusing inscriptions are sometimes
found, like this on bell in Binstead
'Samuel Knight made this ring
At Binstead steeple for to ding.
Another laconic inscription is found on
a bell in Worcestershire
aIf you would know when ! was run,
1t was ia March, l7Ol.
In wood carving, lithography, modelling,
decorative painting, designing Of various
description and art embroideries of the
6nast and rarast Lind the uoman of gwa L