The Famous Chinese Bell

The Famous Chinese Bell.

The famous Chinese bell at Peking is in many respects the finest work of art in China, a product of native skill which could not probably be duplicated by the highest ability or resources of western foundries. It weighs sixty tons, stands fourteen feet high, with a circumference of thirty-four and nearly one foot in thickness. Without a flaw or defect, it is completely covered in relief, both inside and out, with myriads of Chinese characters, each one an inch in size. They form prayerful extracts from Buddhistic classics. It is one of the vagaries of Buddhism that its prayers of the faithful may be infinitely and acceptably repeated by mechanical helps, as, for instance, by revolving wheels. So here, when the lips of this mighty and eloquent bell are moved by fitting tongue they breathe forth in deep, sweet, prolonged and wonderful vibratory voice these prayers to Buddha, and call, as well, all devotees to worship.