FACTS ABOUT BELLS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7848, 10 July 1911, Page 5

FACTS ABOUT BELLS

Bells were made and used in China, Japan and India long before they were known in Europe. The early influence of belts upon architecture is obvious, for we undoubtedly owo to them the building of the famous towers of the world. At first these were merely raised above tho church roof to admit a central light, but, when bolls became common, they were adapted to their use. In the composition of bells copper and tin play an important part, though other ingredients q.ro frequently used. When tho proper proportions of these two metals are combined and reduced- by ini tense heat to liquid form, the mass is poured into a clay mould of the desired ghape and size. The small bronze bells found in tho palace of Nimrod are said to ‘have contained 90 parts of copper to but 10 of tin. In our time tho proportions are about 80 parts Off copper to 20 of tin. Iland-bclta vary more than those designed for public use, and are often composed of brass, silver, and even gold. Many persons are of the impression that silver is mixed with other metals in tho casting of bells in older to mellow the sound, but this is a mistake. Any considerable amount of silver would injure the tone of the bell.

Tho material of which a bell is made does not wholly determine its tone; much depends upon the khape. Then, too, tho. proportions between the height, width and thickness must all be taken into account. Generally speaking, large bells are of these relative dimensions: One-fifteenth of the diameter in thickness and twelve times the thickness in height. Some bells have been made of steel, but these are In no respect equal to those 'composed of copper and tin. In Switzerland bells have even been cast in glass, giving out extremely beautiful notes, but the brittleness of the material renders them, of .course, liable to cracks. Chimes of bells have been brought to great perfection, especially in the Netherlands. ' Sometimes theso tune-playing bells are performed upon by means of a cylinder, on the principle of the barrelorgan, though in most cases they are played by hand.

Tho largest bell in actual use is said to bo that at Moscow. It weighs 128 tons. Tho great, boll of Peking, China, is recorded as weighing fifty-three tons, and that of the Cologne cathedral weighs over 2o tons.—‘‘‘Harpers Weekly."-