In our first volume, (p. 20,) we gave a history of Bells, with a table
of the weights of some of the most remarkable. The following account of
the GREAT BELL OF MOSCOW, is furnished in compliance with the request
of some of our youthful readers in the country.
In the churches of Russia in general, the bells are numerous and of
large size. They are hung, particularly at Moscow, in belfries, or
steeples separated from the churches; they do not swing like our bells,
but are fixed to the beams, and rung by a rope tied to the clapper
and pulled sideways. One of these bells in the belfry of St. Ivan's
Church, at Moscow, weighs more than fifty-seven tons. It is used only
on important occasions. "When it sounds," says Dr. Clarke, "a deep and
hollow murmur vibrates all over Moscow, like the fullest and lowest
tones of a vast organ, or the rolling of distant thunder."
"The Great Bell of Moscow, known to be the largest ever founded, (its
weight being upwards of four hundred and thirty thousand pounds,) is in
a deep pit in the midst of the palace of the Kremlin, (the central and
highest part of the city). It is said to have fallen, in consequence
of a fire, from a beam to which it was fastened. But this is not the
fact. The bell remains in the same place where it was originally cast.
It never was suspended; the Russians might as well attempt to suspend
a first-rate line-of-battle ship with all her guns and stores. A fire
took place in the Kremlin, the flames caught the building erected over
the pit where the bell yet remains, in consequence of which the metal
became hot; and water thrown to extinguish the fire fell upon the bell,
causing the fracture which has taken place. The engraving will give an
accurate view of its present appearance, and also of the descent into
the cave by means of a double ladder. The entrance is by a trap-door,
placed even with the surface of the earth." Dr. Clarke then describes
his falling into the pit down the stairs, by which he narrowly escaped
with his life. "The bell," he continues, "is truly a mountain of metal.
It is said to contain a very large proportion of gold and silver.
While it was in fusion, the nobles and the people cast in, as votive
offerings, their plate and money. I endeavoured, in vain, to assay
a small part: the natives regard it with superstitious veneration,
and would not allow even a grain to be filed off. The compound has a
white shining appearance, unlike bell-metal in general, and perhaps
its silvery aspect has strengthened if not excited the conjecture
respecting the costliness of its ingredients.
On festival days, peasants visit the bell as they would resort to a
church; considering it an act of devotion, and crossing themselves as
they descend and ascend the steps. The bottom of the pit is covered
with water and large pieces of timber; these, added to the darkness,
render it always an unpleasant and unwholesome place, in addition to
the danger arising from the ladders leading to the bottom."--(_Travels
in Russia, by the late_ DR. CLARKE.)
With the assistance of six Russian officers, Dr. Clarke took the
dimensions. He was unable to measure the base, that being buried in the
earth, but within two feet of its lower extremity, the circumference
was found to be sixty-seven feet four inches. The perpendicular height,
from the top, measures twenty-one feet four inches and a half. In
the stoutest part, that in which it should have received the blow of
the hammer, its thickness is twenty-three inches. They were able to
ascertain this, by placing their hands under water where the rent had
taken place; this, is above seven feet high from the lip of the bell.
This bell is supposed by Dr. Clarke to have been founded in 1653,
during the reign of Alexis, although the Russians for the most part
maintain, probably on account of the female figure with which it is
ornamented, that it was cast during the reign of their Empress Anne.
This great and powerful princess succeeded Peter the Great on the
throne in 1725.
[Illustration: THE GREAT BELL OF MOSCOW.]
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