Bell Watching

Edmund W. Jupp

Description

The aim of the Watching series is to draw attention to some of the very interesting items around us, things that perhaps we don't notice as much as we might. The first was Bridge Watching, and when this was put ''on the Net'' it produced, to the surprise of the author, such a pleasant flood of e-mail that another was written, called Water Watching. This, too, was kindly received. So it was tempting to continue with the theme. Many people know very little about bells, and some, sadly, know nothing at all. This is a pity for, large or little, they can be engaging objects. You might think that ''Bell Hearing'' might be a better title; but looking at bells has its own attraction, too. In England, church bells are well known, because of the sounds they make, though many people have not seen the bells themselves. Doorbells, too, are familiar items in many houses, but are rarely regarded with any particular interest. Some of these are not what is popularly imagined as bell-shaped, and are more properly chimes. Then there are bicycle bells, cowbells, and many other kinds, too, all well worth a thought. Things that are free are doubly attractive. It costs nothing to enjoy the pleasures of getting to know these interesting objects. Learning a little about the fascinating qualities of bells in general can be an enjoyable occupation, and can start a lively curiosity about them. The more you know about them, the more interesting they become.

Sujets

• Arts visuels
• Architecture
• Cultural Studies
• General
• General officer

Informations

• Publié par: Intellect Books
• Date de parution: 01 janvier 2003
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781841508351
• Langue: English

Extrait

Bell Watching

Edmund W. Jupp

intellect

Bell Watching

Edmund W. Jupp

TM intellect Bristol, UK Portland OR, USA

First Published in Paperback in UK in 2002 by Intellect Books, PO Box 862, Bristol BS99 1DE, UK

First Published in USA in 2002 by Intellect Books, ISBS, 5804 N.E. Hassalo St, Portland, Oregon 972133644, USA

Copyright © 2002 Edmund Jupp

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission.

Consulting Editor: Production & Cover Design: Production Assistant:

Masoud Yazdani Vishal Panjwani Peter Singh

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 184150808X

Printed and bound in Great Britain by Antony Rowe, Eastbourne

Contents Preface The Bell The Sound Kinds of Bell Making Bells Tower Bells Ringing and Chiming Glossary Bibliography

iii

iv 1 8 18 25 33 41 51 54

Preface

The aim of the "Watching" series is to draw attention to some of the very interesting items around us, things that perhaps we don't notice as much as we might. The first wasBridge Watching, and when this was put "on the Net" it produced, to the surprise of the author, such a pleasant flood of email that another was written, called "Water Watching". This, too, was kindly received. So it was tempting to continue with the theme.

Accordingly,Brick Watching andTunnel Watchingproduced. Writing about were interesting subjects can become addictive. Before you know where you are you find yourself caught up with enthusiasm. You can't stop. So here is something else to watch. Bell Watchingis an offering about bells in general.

Many people know very little about bells, and some, sadly, know nothing at all. This is a pity for, large or little, they can be engaging objects. You might think that "Bell Hearing" might be a better title; but looking at bells has its own attraction, too.

In England, church bells are well known, because of the sounds they make, though many people have not seen the bells themselves. The bell chamber is normally at the top of the tower, not readily accessible.

Church Tower

They are to be seen in other countries often, in the case of carillons, in large open frameworks, though they have a special place in English churches, as will be explained later.

Doorbells, too, are familiar items in many houses, but are rarely regarded with any particular interest. Some of these are not what is popularly imagined as bellshaped, and are more properly chimes. Then there are bicycle bells, cowbells, and many other kinds, too, all well worth a thought, and these will be referred to in a later chapter.

iv

Bell Watching

Cow Bell

Things that are free are doubly attractive. It costs nothing to enjoy the pleasures of getting to know these interesting objects. Learning a little about the fascinating qualities of bells in general can be an enjoyable occupation, and can start a lively curiosity about them. The more you know about them, the more interesting do they become.

So I do hope that what follows will encourage you to find out about them, and go forth to look and listen, with new eyes and ears. The biography has been deliberately kept short, with the expectation that it will help to open other sources of information, and there is no end to the tantalising lines of discovery.

v