Measurements Make The Bell

As Robert ruffled through his papers that were on his desk, the door to his study opened quietly. He didn't take notice until a young man cleared his throat.

Robert toke a quick peek at who it was. Seeing it was the Colonels servant he went back to his work. "What is it Peter?"

Peter noticed Robert's inpatients, hastily he responded, "There's a letter for you, from Philadelphia..."

"Is it important? I absolutely can not be fiddling around with letters of utmost importance to me. I am to busy for that. Leave me." Robert waved in a shooing motion. Writing furiously his elegant script appeared to be struggling to keep up with his quill.

"But Sir, it is from the Assembly!"

Robert put down his quill, "Give it to me." After he received the letter from Peter, he gave a quick: "Thank you."

"A pleasure." Rushing out he gave a respectful bow.

Robert looked at the insignia sealing the letter. Indeed it belonged to the Assembly. It read:

November 1st, Addressed to Robert Charles, Colonial Agent of the Province of Pensylvania. Isaac Norris, Assembly Speaker and the Chairman of the State House Superintendents asks the Assembly's agent in London, Robert Charles, to buy a bell. Charles, the State of Pensylvania has come to the decision of purchasing a bell to institute in the State House. It shall commission 150 Pounds 13 shillings 8 pence including insurance and shipping to obtain this bell from Whitechapel Foundry. Once you have decided on whether or not the price is fair enough to have a bell made, the properties of the bell will be of use to you. They are on the very bottom of this letter.

Signed, Isaac Norris, Thomas Leech, and Edward Warner.

Robert folded up the letter. Forgetting his previous work, he stood up grabbed his coat and bustled out the door. He responded in hasty replies to the men that greeted him. Outside his carriage awaited him to get inside.

"Whitechapel Foundry, please."

"Right away sir."

~~~~~~~~~

"What you are saying is that they will pay 35 pounds to have this bell made?" A chubby man, with bright pink cheeks said in pleasure.

"Yes, they would. Here is what they want the bell to be formed into." Robert took out the letter and showed it to the man.

"'Seventy percent copper, twenty-five percent tin, small amounts of lead, zinc, arsenic, gold and silver'." He took a quick look at Robert. "'The bell should hold the circumference around the lip, twelve feet. The circumference around the crown, seven feet and six inches, height over the crown: two feet, three inches. Thickness at lip three inches…'" The man looked directly at Robert, "They really want this well don't they?"

Robert nodded impatiently, "Yes, they do, now read on Thomas."

Thomas grumbled and read on, "'Thickness at the crown, no than one and one fourth of an inch. The clapper should be, in length, three feet and two inches. Wood to be used for the yoke shall be American Elm.'" He didn't bother reading the inscription to be engraved in the bell. "Well Robert, I best start working on this bell. I warn you now before hand, it'll take me quiet a while to complete this er, big order."

"Then Thomas, I'll leave you to work. Thank you for your time." Robert slipped his coat on and went out the door. The hiss of metals melting against each other and the clang of hammer against ore thumped against the closed door.

~~~~~~~~~~

Thomas whipped the sticky sweat off his forehead. The blazing furnace made the beads of sweat come down faster and thicker.

He took out the letter from the pocket on his apron. 70 percent copper, yes done. Mmhmm done, done...circumference--sigh yes, done. Ah where am I going to get American elm? Well worry about that later, now the curve here--Thomas's thoughts were interrupted by the sizzle of the furnace. Molding the ore into the shape of the bell, his hands worked quickly before the bell could dry and harden. He looked at the letter, smiling to himself. "Looks right to me."

He stepped back to look at the glistening bell.