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Show "Big Ben." The largest bell in the tower of tiie house of parliament in London has always al-ways been called "Big Ben," but the average Londoner himself seems to have no idea how it got its name. When the building was designed. Sir Benjamin Hall had a great d'rjl to do with carrying out the plans o'' the architects, ar-chitects, being high commissioner of public works; and his co-workers appreciated ap-preciated the fact thai to htm the city of London was largely indebted. So when the eiuestion came up in parliament parlia-ment as to the name of the enormous bell that was to hang in the tower, a member shouted. "Why not call it 'Big Ben ?' " This suggestion was received with much applause, as well as roars of laughter; for Sir Benjamin was an enormous man, botli in height ard KirtU. and hal atteu been callr-d "Bis Ben." No opposition was made t the speaker, and from that day u this the bell whose peals every Londoner knows and loves has been called "Big Ben," in affectionate remembrance of the towering baronet. |
