The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-12-12

of his hand would ring the bell, bring
aid to his side and prevent his being
buried while only in a state of coma.
Not a bell was rung by the dead that
saw, and I think there were about 10
lying before me.
A most interesting use of bells has the
science of astronomy made. A selenium
cell connected with an electric bell has
been placed in the Lick observatory on
California mountain, attached to great
telescope. And when that mighty tele-
scope sweeps the sky by night, If, say,
a comet comes into the field of its obser-
walton. though the eye may not detect it.
the far away visitant announces his pres
ence through the sensitive selenium,
which excites the electric bell into mo-
ton.
Historic Bells.
I now mention some historic bells in
dividually:
A few years ago there was bell tenn
porarily in Washington city with a
strange old history. 1t had hung in the
tower of church built by Columbus at
Isabella, San Domingo, the first settle
ment in the new world. This place was
finally abandoned for the more preten-
tious settlement Of La Vega This was
in 1494. To La Vega everything portable
was removed. the church bell with the
rest In the year 1852 La Vega was de-
serted on account of an earthquake. More
than 300 years passed. One day, within a
mass of vines, briars and tree branches,
a man happened to see q bell. 1t was
made of the finest bronze and was of ele-
giant workmanship, and bore tho image of
St. Michael. In letters Of gold it showed
that 1t was the gift of Ferdinand and Isa-
bella 1t was the old bell of La Vega that
had been borne away from the first set
Element Of the Spaniards. 1t was sent to
washington and from there was to be ex-
pressed to the Chicago exposition. But
there is an older bell than that in the
United States. When Ferdinand and Isa-
bella transformed the mosque of the AL
hambra into temple of Christian wor-
ship they caused bell to be hung in the
Moorish tower. In 1909 Isabella gave this
bell to Columbus who presented It to the
monks Of New Granada. 1t called to
prayer until the buccaneers destroyed
Carthegena. In 1887. In the division of tho
spoils this bell became the property Of
the ship La Rochelle. which was subse-
quently wrecked Off the coast of New
Jersey. few Of the crew were washed
ashore, as was also the wooden beams to
which the bell was bolted. The bell was
finally taken in charge by one who gave
it to church at Haleyville, N. J. Its
history was told by those who came
to shore from the wreck Of the La Ro-
chelle. How many years this bell had
been in use before it was transferred to
the Alhambra there Is no means Of know
ing. but beyond doubt 1t is the oldest bell
doing duty in the new world.
Walk down the shadowy aisles OF
the ages and you will hear the sullen
tones Of stealthy bells signalling the
hour for deeds Of wrong and blood
shed. In the great, gruesome drama
the bell was to signal Macbeth that the
way to Duncan's bed was clear
go; bid thy mistress when my drink
is ready.
She strike upon the bell.
go. and It 10 done, the bell invites
mo.
Hear 1t not, Duncan, for 1t is knell
That summons thee to heaven or to
hell"
This, say. was only in = play. But
how often in a larger way has 1t been
fact and history The ringing Of the
vesper bell was the signal for the
slaughter Of 5000 Trenchmen. in Sicily.
in 1882.
have stood in the shadow Of the old
belfry OF st. German. in Paris, and
remembered that on st. Barth olomew's
Day. 1871. the bell, still swinging from
its dark oak beams. tolled out the Sig
nal for the death of the Huguenots.
That far away from St German on
the opposite side of the river stands
the great church Of Notrs Dana with