Ever since the Middle Ages British belfries have pealed messy-sounding medleys of bongs. Less messy than it sounds, this "change-ringing" is done according to strict mathematical schemes, with good old English names like Plain Bob Triples, Grandsire Cinques and Spliced Surprises. A proper piece of change-ringing takes anywhere from six to twelve hours, keeps from five to twelve men busy pulling the bell ropes. Guardians of this little English art are London's Ancient Society of College Youths.
Every year the Society, which has nothing to do with any college and has few members...
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