lar end of the broad lower step winding around a
central column like the landing newels.

Hanging from its original beam, but within an ornamental frame erected
in the center of this staircase hall, is the best-known relic of the
building, the famous Liberty Bell, which is supposed, without adequate
evidence, to have been the first bell to announce the adoption of the
Declaration of Independence. It was cast in England early in 1752 and
bears the following inscription: "By order of the Assembly of the
Province of Pennsylvania for the State House in Philadelphia, 1752", and
underneath: "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the
inhabitants thereof, Lev. XXV, V, X." In August, 1752, the bell was
received in Philadelphia, but was cracked by a stroke of the clapper the
following month. It was recast, but the work being unsatisfactory, it
was again recast with more copper, in Philadelphia during May, 1753, and
in June was hung in the State House steeple, where it remained until
taken to Allentown, Pennsylvania, in 1777, to prevent it from falling
into the hands of the British. In 1781 the bell was lowered and the
steeple removed. In 1828 a new steeple was erected, and a new bell put
in place, the Liberty Bell being given a place in an upper story of the
tower to be rung only on occasions of great importance. On July 8, 1835,
it suddenly cracked again while being tolled in memory of Chief Justice
John Marshall, and on February 22, 1843, this crack was so increased as
nearly to destroy its sound. In 1864 it was placed in the east or
Declaration room, but in 1876, the Centennial year, it was again hung in
the tower by a chain of thirteen links. From the time of its second
recasting in 1753, until it lost its sound in 1843, the Liberty Bell
was sounded on all important occasions, both grave and gay. It convened
town meetings and the Assembly, proclaimed the national anniversary,
ushered in the new year, welcomed distinguished men, tolled for the
honored dead, and on several occasions was muffled and tolled as an
expression of public disapproval of various acts of British tyranny.

Passing through a high, round-headed arch with paneled jambs and soffit
one enters the central hall, a magnificent apartment in the mutulary
Doric order, extending through the building to the Chestnut Street
entrance. Fluted columns standing on a high, broad pedestal which runs
about the walls like a wainscot, support a heavy complete entab