A Bell Story.

Otago Witness, Issue 1825, 12 November 1886, Page 35

A Bell Story.

The city or Breslau celebrated on July 17 the 500 th anniversary of an occurrence which was memorable in the history of the town, and is known wherever German poetry finds a home. The bell which hangs in the the southern tower of St. Mary Magdalen's Church and is named " St. Mary's bell," but is usually known as " the poor sinner's bell," rang out morning and evening to remind all who heard it that it was cast on that day 500 years ago. Next day, Sunday, the preacher reminded his congregation of the pathetic story which has made it singular among bells ; how, when all was ready for the casting, the bellfounder withdrew for a few moments, leaving a boy in charge of the furnace, warning him not to meddle with the catch that secured the seething mettle in the cauldron. (But the boy disregarded the caution, and then, terrified on seeing the molten metal beginning to flow into the mould, called to the bellfounder for help. Rushing in and seeing what he had intended to be his masterpiece ruined, as he thought, angered to madness, ' he slew the boy on the spot. When the metal had cooled and the mould was opened, the bell was found to be an exquisite work, perfect in finish, and of marvellous sweetness of tone. Coming to his senses, he recognised his bloody work, and straightway gave himself up to the magistrate. " Blood for blood " was the law ; he was condemned to die, and he went to his doom while his beautiful bell pealed an invitation to all to pray for " the poor sinner," whence its name. W. Muller has enshrined, the sad story in a ballad of touching simplicity