The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1920-08-27
Will Toll Hours and Their Divi-
sions in Melodiously Mu-
sical Notes

The First &. Citizens National
Bank has erected magnificent
electric Illuminated clock on the
front of it's bank building, not on
ly adding materially to the ap-
pearanee of the busiest section of
the city, but providing conven-
ience that will undoubtedly be
greatly appreciated by the gene
raj public.
The most distinctive feature of the
clock. other than it's unusually artistic
appearance and the perfection of its
construction and mechanism, is the com
plete set of Westminster chimes with
which it is equipped. These ring every
quarter hour and may be heard prac-
tically as far as the clock may be seen.
! The big clocks are operated by elec-
| tricity from a master clock inside the
| building. in the main banking room. This
| is an especially handsome structure of
bronze and plate glass construction. with
a Pinch dial. and guaranteed to keep
practically perfect time. Every minute
the hands of the big clocks are sent
ahead one minute by electricity governed
by the master clock within, the con-
nection between the two instruments
being perfect and insuring correct time
on the large clocks on the outside as
well on the master clock inside.
The clock is attached to the front
of the bank building at a sufficient
elevation to be plainly visible from all
parts of main street. The clock is Z
feet in height by 21a feet in width, of
dark bronze, with copper hood at top
and bottom. Both faces of the clock
are alike. the dial being. surmounted by
the words First & Citizens National
Bank in large illuminated letters. This
is provided by a sheet of copper in which
are cut the letters, laid over in pure
pearl white glass, with crystal plate
glass on the outside.
The dials of the clock are "a inches
in diameter, on pearl white glass, with
crystal glass on the outside.
President C. II. Robinson of the First
& Citizens National Bank offers the
following explanation of the beautiful
Westminster chimes, consisting of five
tubular chime bells, with which the
clock is equipped, giving interesting in
formation regarding the chimes them
selves as well as explaining the objects
which have prompted the bank to offer
the public the. many advantages to be
derived and enjoyed from this Leautl-
ful clock.
'As a home institution serving the
people of this locality-enjoying your
good will and business favors, We have
in the past endeavored to show our ap-
probation by presenting our patrons
with calendars and novelties, and other
wise recognizing your cooperation in
making this a servicable and successful
banking house.
''Years of prosperous banking have
been made possible only by your sup
port. We wanted to show our appre-
citation in a substantial way and have
therefore purchased of the manufacture
ers, a large, handsome clock combined
with a set of the. softest and most beau
tiful chimes ever heard in any city of
the old or new world.
THE CHIMES
Lord through this hour
Be Thou our guide
So by Thy power
No foot shall slide"
':Eyeryone who has lived-within sound
of the bells of Westminster is familiar
with the verse given above The origin
of the carlton has never been positive
ly established. Some writer's accredlt it
to Mr.. Crouch, who was a pupil of
DR.. Randall, Regius Professor of Music.
This, however is disputed by other wri-
ters who accredit it to DR.. RandalPs s
conception of the idea taken from a
movement in the fifth bar of the open
ing of Haendel's Symphony, 81 know
that my Redeemer liveth." The chimes
were first fitted to the clock of the
University church, St Mary's the Great,
in Cambridge, but were not copied until
they were reproduced on a very large
scale in the Victoria clock tower of the
House of Parliament.
cat the quarter, half and three-quar
ter hour, these chimes will ring out in
various musical combinations. At a
quarter past the hour, four strokes -
| Westmin ster; at half past the hour,
! eight strokes-Reveille: at three-quar
ters past the hour, twelve strokes -
Cathedral peal. and on the hour, six
teen strokes-Wesminst followed by
the striking of the full hour, in a clear
vibrant tone.
! every day of the week the chimes
will be sounding their message-the note
of warning spoken in time; the chime
of rejoicing; the lament in time of sor-
row. This chime will be all things to
men for it is going to belong not to us
alone, but to men women and children
of our community