§ SIR JOHN HAYsaid, he wished to 764 ask the First Commissioner of Works, Whether the large Bell in the Clock Tower is to be taken down and recast; or whether it is to be used in its present condition?
§ LORD HOTHAMsaid, he wished to put another question on the same subject to the right hon. Gentleman—Whether, before any further expenditure of public money is incurred on this account, he will give the House the opportunity of pronouncing on its propriety and necessity; and whether he will lay the Estimate on the table?
MR. COWPERsaid, the disordered and cracked state of the bell had given him great anxiety. He had called in the most scientific advice he could find. There had been a consultation of learned doctors, and he had already laid on the table four Reports. The last Report, made after very careful investigation, was by Dr. Percy, the metallurgical chemist, of Jermyn-street Museum. He said—
It may now be certainly concluded that this part of the bell contains about 2 per cent more tin, and consequently is more brittle, than the alloy prescribed to the founder, which should consist of 76 per cent of copper and 24 per cent, of tin. The bell is yet capable of being sounded, and, according to the opinion which Mr. Turle expressed to me, without any sensible alteration in the quality of the sound which was produced before the cracks were discovered. If considered desirable, it might, I believe, be still used with safety, as simple and not very costly arrangements might be adopted to provide against the possible though, in my opinion, not probable, contingency of the separation and falling of any portion in consequence of any further extension of the cracks.By this it appeared that the bell might be used, but at the risk of the cracks increasing and the parts falling on the heads of those who were walking below. Under these circumstances he was unwilling to take on himself the responsibility of having the bell used without further investigation, and a closer calculation of the risk. Besides, when the bell did sound, it had caused interruption to the business of the House, and he apprehended there was no wish on the part of hon. Members for a repetition of the loud and slow sounds of which they complained before. Under these circumstances, he had not come to any conclusion as to what should be done with the great bell. At present the larger quarter bell was used to strike the hours, and though that arrangement was not perfect in regard to musical harmony, he thought it convenient for the present. Although not heard all over 765 Middlesex, the hour was heard within a sufficient range of that House. Certainly, before any expense was incurred in recasting this bell, or making a now one, he should think it necessary to bring the matter before the House. Nothing under this head had been put into the Estimates for the last two years.