Home1815 Edition

CARILLONS

Volume 5 · 134 words · 1815 Edition

CARILLONS, a species of chimes frequent in the Low Countries, particularly at Ghent, and Antwerp, and played on a number of bells in a belfrey, forming a complete series or scale of tones and semitones, like those on the harpsichord and organ. There are pedals communicating with the great bells, upon which the carillonist with his feet plays the bells to sprightly airs, performed with the two hands upon the upper series of keys. These keys are projecting sticks, wide enough to be struck with violence and velocity by either of the hands edgewise, without the danger of hitting the neighbouring key. The player is provided with a thick leather covering for the little finger of each hand, to guard against the violence of the stroke. These carillons are heard through a large town.