The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 60, July 1956 - April, 1957 Page: 193
616 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Book Reviews
will carry on what Mr. Harris has so well begun. This book is
one that will give keen pleasure to any person interested in the
historic local architectures of Texas.
FULMER MOOD
The University of Texas
Bells Over Texas. By Bessie Lee Fitzhugh. El Paso (Texas West-
ern Press), 1955. Pp. vii+143. Drawings by Jose Cisneros.
Photographs, notes, and index.
Bread for the body, hyacinths for the soul. According to the
poets, these are the essentials. Bessie Lee Fitzhugh's book, Bells
Over Texas, meets these requirements as applied to literature.
The plan for the book, the editing, and the typographical work
were done by Carl Hertzog. His stamp of approval is an assur-
ance of merit. Those who know his meticulous craftsmanship
expect the ultimate in symmetry, texture, proportion, and beau-
ty. In this book he is at his best. It is lovely, golden binding,
ivory paper, unusual typography. Many pen and ink sketches by
Jose Cisneros and numerous photographs add to the attractive-
ness of the book as well as to the value of the text.
During twenty years of search and research, the author has
acquired a surprising amount of historical and scientific data
about bells in general and particularly about the bells of Texas.
Out of this she has woven her story. With it she has integrated
current religious beliefs, legends, customs, and details of design
and architecture. The documentation notes and references are
fully adequate.
The book is divided into chapters according to the use of the
bells. The diction is excellent, the style clear and charming with
an element of poetry. There are many references to literature,
and each chapter is prefaced with an appropriate quotation.
The stories are well told. Through skillful choice of words, the
author has created effects which enable one almost to hear the
tones of the bells she is describing: the tinkling of the small bell,
the tolling of the annointed bell, the monotonous tone of the
lowly cowbell, the insistent demanding of the handbell ringing
out "Hear Yel" Mrs. Fitzhugh graphically tells of a bell named
Oscar and of a bell that was punished. She closes with a dis-93
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 60, July 1956 - April, 1957, periodical, 1957; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101163/m1/214/?rotate=270: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.