Editorial — "Tradition and the Sound of the Bell"

5

T r a d itio n a n d t h e S o u n d o f t h e B e l l

A n E d i t o r i a l

Early this year the traditional ringing of the old Portuguese bell in the tower of the Unitarian Church suddenly ceased. The electrical mechanism which had replaced the dependable 1881 Howard Clock had developed a malfunction, and a vital part was needed. But weeks and months passed and still the system did not function and the bell was silent until a few weeks ago.

For well over a century the familiar sound of the mellow-toned bell ringing the hours has been a part of Nantucket life. The customary 52 strokes at 7:00 in the morning, 12:00 noon, and 9:00 o'clock at night, has been an accepted practice. It is an Island tradition that should be maintained if for no other reason than it is an historical part of our community life. It is such historical characteristics which make Nantucket different from any other part of the nation. Maintaining our historical facets is as important as maintaining economic features of the Town and Island which bring visitors and summer residents — a form of insurance for our "stock in trade."

The custom of ringing those extra 52 strokes each day goes back to the year 1811, when the old Revere bell in the North Church tower was used. An observant visitor in that year wrote: "The great bell, agreeable to a good old custom, is tolled every evening at 9 o'clock to warn the citizens to their homes." A few years later it was voted to ring the extra strokes three times daily. In 1849, when the bell in the South Tower became the official bell for the town clock, the custom was continued.

As we consider the tradition, remembering the faithful bell ringers who continued the practice, we have a deeper understanding of this Nantucket custom. The tones of the ancient Portuguese bell, originally cast to call the good people of Lisbon to their prayers, has been heard by generations of Islanders, whether borne on the wings of a gale, or echoing softly within summer breezes. Many have counted the measured strokes of the hours with the evening and morning prayers. Young and old have come to feel the tradition of the tower and its bell as part of their own generation. Modern Nantucket needs what the old Nantucket has given as an Island inheritance.