Much admiration was expressed by all those fortunate enough to listen to
the first peal of the chimes in the tower of The First Church of Christ,
Scientist, corner of Falmouth and Norway streets, dedicated yesterday.
The sweet, musical tones attracted quite a throng of people, who
listened with delight.
The chimes were made by the United States Tubular Bell Company, of
Methuen, Mass., and are something of a novelty in this country, though
for some time well and favorably known in the Old Country, especially in
England.
They are a substitution of tubes of drawn brass for the heavy cast bells
of old-fashioned chimes. They have the advantage of great economy of
space, as well as of cost, a chime of fifteen bells not occupying a
space of more than five by eight feet.
Where the old-fashioned chimes required a strong man to ring them, these
can be rung from an electric key board, and even when rung by hand
require but little muscular power to manipulate them, and call forth all
the purity and sweetness of their tones. The quality of tone is
something superb, being rich and mellow. The tubes are carefully tuned,
so that the harmony is perfect. They have all the beauties of a great
Cathedral chime, with infinitely less expense.
There is practically no limit to the uses to which these bells may be
put. They can be called into requisition in theatres, concert halls, and
public buildings, as they range in all sizes, from those described down
to little sets of silver bells that might be placed on a small centre
table.
(_The Republic_, Washington, D.C., February 2, 1895.)