The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-03

the new bell Is to weigh nearly fifteen
tons; and the great bell in the cathedral
at Montreal hitherto he largest on the
American continent, weighs rather less
than thirteen tons II VIII take rank,
therefore very creditably. among the
larges, bells of the wcrld.-the largest
in England. the Westminster bell. weigh
Ing about the same. while one in Vienna.
the largest in actual use in Europe,
weighs about twenty tons. II Is true
that the monster of Moscow, which lies
broken and PROSTATE weighed more than
two hundred tons; but it was simply
huge mistake. which having failed as a
bell is now used as a chapel. 1t is staten.
too, that there Is a monstrosity some
whore In China that weighs about sixty
TONS but its shape DIS abominable, and
its tone excruciating TO any but a Celes-
tial ear.
But these figures of weight convey but
very vague idea OF SIZE. The great
Chinese cat-call is said 10 be fourteen
feet In height; but IL IS shaped like
barrel. The Cincinnati bell, which is cast
In the true proportions for beauty and
melody-being modelled after a bell in
Erfurt. Prussia, which is accounted the
sweetest in the worlds seven feet in
height. and nine in diameter at the base.
That is TO say, II II rested, mouth down.
ward, on the ground, the tallest man
could stand upright under 1t, and II IL
we're set on edge. and a school-boy were
10 cling with his hands TO the upper rim,
his feet would dangle about where the
clapper will hang when the bell Is finally
in position. This olapper will weigh no
less than $40 pounds. Imagine the effect
when 1t comes in collision with fifteen
tons of resonant bellmetal! Nowhere else
in the world is such a mass actually
swung. The diameter of the wheel Is
fifteen feet, and two ropes VIII be at
tached Ii is stipulated. indeed. that the
bell shall be so poised that one man can
ring II; but unless the services of san
dow could be secured as sexton the task
would be altogether too arduous-hence
the double rope. Bells have been cast
which required the combined effort of
more than twenty men TO swing them;
but bell hanging, as well as bell-founding.
has made no small progress, ana slch
cumbersome arrangements belong 10 the
days of creaking oX-cartS and wooden
ploughs.
p The ornamentation of the Cincinnati
bell is believed TO be more elaborate than
that Of any other in existence. Civic and
ecclesiastical decorations viii both have
place, making il at once an emblem OF
patriotic feeling. and a consecrated in
strument of worship. Encircling the body
Of the bell, just above the sounding bow,
is the Latin text of the Lords Prayer in
true Gothic characters about seven inch
es high. Above this. on the civic half.
the American eagle hovers over the great.
seal Of the United States,-an impression
OF which was sent directly from the
White House. Beneath this Is the seal
OF the state of Ohio pierced by the STATS
that support the stars and stripes which
fall i'm graceful folds on either side; and
beneath this is the seal OF the city OF
Cincinnati Medalions OF the deceased
donor and family complete the design.
on the ecclesiastical half OF the bell,
under the surrounding tiara, Is me-
dalton OF Pope Leo MIL. with his seal
beneath tt. Just below y the medallion OF
the TT. Rev. William Henry Elder, Arch
bishop of Cincinnati, through which are
crossed the STATS OF the papsi b.-cners.
Right and left of this medallion are two
otl,ens-of Archbishop Purcell, ana of
Bishop Fenwick. the first bishop OF Gin