Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 428

Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 428 - Volume 17, New Series, March 13, 1852

THE DINNER-BELL. TWO KINDS OF HONESTY. DECIMAL SYSTEM OF COINAGE. WHY THE SCOTCH DO NOT SHUT THE DOOR. EDFOU AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD. AN ENGLISH WORKMAN'S ACCOUNT OF A 'STRIKE' IN NEW YORK. THE DOCTOR VERSUS THE MEDICINE. APPLICATION OF THE SIRENE TO COUNT THE RATE AT WHICH THE WINGS OF INSECTS MOVE. A WELCOME SACRIFICE. 'MY TRAVELLING COMPANION.' In one of Webster's magnificent speeches, he remarks that so vast are the possessions of England, that her morning drum-beat, following the sun and keeping company with the hours, circles the earth daily with one continuous and unbroken strain of its martial airs. There is another musical sound, within the British islands themselves, which does not as yet quite traverse the whole horary circle, but bids fair to do so in the course of time, and to this we would direct the attention of the American secretary, as a fitting subject for a new peroration. We allude to the Dinner-bell. At noon, in the rural districts of England, this charming sound is heard tinkling melodiously from farm or village factory; at one, in the more crowded haunts of industry, the strain is taken up ere it dies; and by the time it reaches Scotland, a full hungry peal swells forth at two. At three till past four there is a continuous ring from house to house of the small country gentry; and at five this becomes more distinct and sonorous in the towns, increasing in importance till six. From that time till seven and half-past, it waxes more and more fashionable in the tone, till at eight it stops abruptly: not like an air brought to a conclusion, but like one broken off accidentally, to be by and by resumed. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 17245
Author: Various
Release Date: Dec 6, 2005
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Editor: Chambers, Robert, 1802-1871 , Chambers, William, 1800-1883