fz*

fz Pedal. fz

Bells had their origin in China; and like the ancient gong, are principally made of copper, richly ornamented with inscriptions inside and out. As their use was to dispel and clear the air of evil spirits, they were made of the most enormous size. The Russians adopted them in the tenth century, and their famous bell at Moscow, weighing forty

three thousand pounds, when put into motion, would agitate the air of the surrounding country for forty miles. This notion of their efficacy brought them to England soon after the Conquest; and, from our old records, we learn that the tolling of a bell kept the spirits of darkness from assaulting believers; it dispelled thunder, and prevented the devil from molesting either the church or congregation-hence the bells were rung with due ardor and devotion in the time of storms.* To insure these valuable services, many, in the dark ages, were induced to bequeath property for the support of favorite bells, which were rung at their funeral, to the discomfiture of the arch-fiend, whose attempts to get possession of the soul of the deceased were paralysed by the hallowed sound.† In Paris there is a bell of enormous size, two notes lower than great Tom of Lincoln. The catholics have a great reverence for their sounds. The writer was present once at the Fête Dieu, in Notre Dame, and wit

The clerke doth all the bells forthwith

At once in steeple ring,

With wondrous sound, and deeper farre,

Than he was wont before;

Till in the loftle heavens darke

The thunder bray no more.

†The passing-bell is a relic of this custom.

Upon the destruction of the monasteries, it is recorded of a friar, that he regretted nothing so much as the loss of a favorite bell; which, after diligent search, he found had been removed to a village church, where he submitted to become a common laborer, that he might end his days within hearing of it.

nessed an exhibition of this kind. Upon the Host entering the church, the congregation were greeted with eight military drums, keeping up an incessant roll as they marched up the aisle with a detachment of soldiers. Then came the priests and choirmen, straining their throats-the great bell tolling its double F below the line, in concert with all the small fry of the steeple. Next, in succession, came a military band with gongs and clashing cymbals— soldiers grounding their arms-the stupendous organ from on high pouring down upon this terrific din every note within its compass. Such was the accumulated noise, that it was impossible to make yourself heard to a bystander, though you shouted in his ears! When the uproar had a little ceased, we listened to the more grateful sound of the mass, which was performing in a distant part of the cathedral.

Bells are heard to the greatest advantage early in the morning, when the air is still, and the ear has been refreshed by sleep.* The notion of their

* In the stillness of the morning, the harmonic sound is heard on the five o'clock bell at Leicester, syncopating with the key note, as distinctly as the note itself.

sounds being much enhanced when situated near to water, wants no confirmation, when we recount the case of the sentinel, who was charged with sleeping upon his post on the ramparts of Windsor castle. The life of this man was saved, by the extraordinary circumstance of his having heard, at midnight, St. Paul's clock strike thirteen, when it should have struck only twelve. The fact was proved by several witnesses, although the distance apparently would have rendered the circumstance impossible.* It was supposed that the course of the river, and the stillness of the night, assisted the conveyance of the sound, which, like a miracle, saved the delinquent from death.† The Hollanders exhibit the most enthusiastic fondness for bells-every church and public building is hung round with them in endless variety; and as this music seems to be the national taste, they are never left at rest. They are kept striking and chiming every quarter of an hour the day through; but this is not enough:—on the Stadthouse, a performer is stationed, to play to the market-people a superior sort of bell-music upon the carillons. This is done by a contrivance

* Dr. Clarke, in sailing from Asia Minor to Egypt, heard the sound of a sea fight at the distance of one hundred and thirty miles.

† Captain Parry speaks of the great distance sounds could be heard during intense cold. We often heard people distinctly converse in a common tone of voice at the distance of a mile ;' but may not this striking effect be partly attributed to the even and glassy surface, there being no objects to interrupt the undulations of sound, as well as the density of the atmosphere?

similar to the keys of a piano-forte, which the carilloneur strikes with all his might, though an Herculean task, often with science and dexterity. In Amsterdam, it is thought, not less than a thousand bells are kept constantly ringing, which create such an incessant jingle, as to be intolerable to strangers, and enough to distract the ears of any one but those of a Dutchman.* It is extraordinary, that a people, so grave and thoughtful, can feel amused with such a senseless jargon as this confusion produces. Fortunately for us, our bells in England are of a more sombre cast, and are found of great use in proclaiming the hour in large and populous cities.† St. Paul's has a fine tone upon the chord

denominated the note C; our scale having risen so much since that time, as apparently to sink the bell a note below the present C. The finest bell in England is great Tom of Lincoln, considerably older than St. Paul's, so much so, that this bell,

* The Dutch, who were once the greatest traders in Europe, imported their tulips and taste for gardening from China-as well as their canals-the form of their pavilions and pagoda roofs, and probably their fondness for bells.

†The want of large bells to strike the hour in the modern parts of London, is an inconvenience every one feels. There is not a bell at the west end of the town, that is large enough to be heard at the distance of five hundred yards.