example_out.text_with_mentions

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# Document text with both system and gold mentions marked:
#  - Gold mentions are marked with '[ ... ]'
#  - System mentions are marked with '( ... )'
#  - Mentions that occur in both are marked with '{ ... }'
# Colour is used to indicate missing and extra mentions.  Blue for missing, red
# for extra, and purple where they overlap.

# nw/wsj/00/wsj_0020 000

{The U.S.} , claiming (some success) in {its} trade diplomacy , removed {{South (Korea} , {Taiwan} and [Saudi) Arabia]} from [a list of countries {it} is closely watching for allegedly failing to honor ((U.S. patents) , (copyrights) and other intellectual - (property rights))] .

However , {five other countries -- ((China) , ((Thailand) , India , Brazil and (Mexico))) --} will remain on [(that) so - called priority watch list] as a result of an interim review , {U.S. Trade Representative Carla Hills} announced .

Under {the new U.S. trade law} , {those countries} could face accelerated unfair - trade investigations and stiff trade sanctions if {they} do n't improve [{their} protection of intellectual property] by next spring .

{Mrs. Hills} said many of the 25 countries that {she} placed under varying degrees of scrutiny have made `` genuine progress '' on [this touchy issue] .

{She} said there is `` growing (realization '' around the world that denial of (intellectual - (property rights)) harms all trading nations , and particularly (the `` creativity and inventiveness of an -LCB- offending -RCB-)) country 's own citizens . ''

(U.S. trade negotiators) argue that [countries with inadequate protections for (intellectual - (property rights))] could be hurting {themselves} by discouraging {their} own scientists and authors and by deterring [U.S. high - technology firms] from investing or marketing {their} best products there .

{Mrs. Hills} lauded [South Korea] for creating an intellectual - property task force and [(special enforcement teams of police officers) and prosecutors trained to pursue movie and book pirates] .

[Seoul] also has instituted effective search - and - seizure procedures to aid {these teams} , {she} said .

{Taiwan} has improved {its} standing with {the U.S.} by initialing (a bilateral copyright agreement) , amending {its} trademark law and introducing [legislation to protect {foreign movie producers} from unauthorized showings of ({their} films)] .

[That measure] could compel [Taipei 's] growing number of small video - viewing parlors to pay {movie producers} for showing ({their} films) .

{Saudi Arabia} , for {its} part , has vowed to enact [(a copyright law) compatible with international standards] and to apply {the law} to computer software as well as to literary works , {Mrs. Hills} said .

{These three countries} are n't completely off the hook , though .

{They} will remain on a lower - (priority list that includes [17 other countries]) .

[Those countries -- including ((Japan) , Italy , Canada , Greece and Spain) --] are still of some concern to {the U.S.} but are deemed to pose (less - serious problems for American patent and copyright owners) than those on {the `` priority '' list} .

{(Gary Hoffman) , (a Washington lawyer specializing in intellectual - property cases) ,} said the threat of U.S. retaliation , combined with a growing recognition that protecting intellectual property is in a country 's own interest , prompted the improvements made by {{South (Korea} , {Taiwan} and [Saudi) Arabia]} .

`` What this tells (us) is that (U.S. trade law) is working , '' {he} said .

{He} said {Mexico} could be one of the next countries to be removed from {the priority list} because of {its} efforts to craft a new patent law .

{Mrs. Hills} said that {the U.S.} is still concerned about `` disturbing developments in {Turkey} and continuing slow progress in {Malaysia} . ''

{She} did n't elaborate , although earlier U.S. trade reports have complained of videocassette piracy in {Malaysia} and disregard for U.S. pharmaceutical patents in {Turkey} .

{The 1988 trade act} requires {Mrs. Hills} to issue another review of the performance of (these countries) by April 30 .

So far , {Mrs. Hills} has n't deemed any cases bad enough to merit an accelerated investigation under the so - called special 301 provision of {the act} .


# nw/wsj/00/wsj_0037 000

Judging from (the Americana in [[Haruki Murakami 's] `` A Wild Sheep Chase '' -LRB- {Kodansha} , 320 pages , $ 18.95 -RRB-]) , baby boomers on both sides of the Pacific have a lot in common .

Although set in {Japan} , [the novel 's] texture is almost entirely Western , especially American .

{Characters} drink Salty Dogs , whistle `` Johnny B. Goode '' and watch Bugs Bunny reruns .

{They} read Mickey Spillane and talk about Groucho and Harpo .

{They} worry about {their} careers , drink too much and suffer through broken marriages and desultory affairs .

This is {Japan} ?

For an American reader , (part of the charm of [this engaging novel]) should come in recognizing that {Japan} is n't (the buttoned - down society of contemporary American lore) .

(It) 's also refreshing to read a Japanese author who clearly does n't belong to the self - aggrandizing (`` we - Japanese '') school of writers who perpetuate the notion of the unique Japanese , unfathomable by outsiders .

If `` {A Wild Sheep Chase} '' carries [an implicit message for international relations] , {it} 's that (the Japanese) are more like {us} than most of {us} think .

(That) 's not to say that [the nutty plot of `` {A Wild Sheep Chase} ''] is rooted in reality .

{It} 's imaginative and often funny .

[(A disaffected , hard - drinking) , nearly - (30 hero] sets off for snow country in search of an elusive sheep with a star on (its) back at the behest of a sinister , erudite mobster with a Stanford degree) .

{He} has in tow (({his} prescient girlfriend) , whose sassy retorts mark (her) as anything but a docile butterfly) .

Along the way , {he} meets a solicitous Christian chauffeur who offers {the hero} God 's phone number ; and ((the (Sheep Man)) , a sweet , roughhewn figure who wears -- what else -- a sheepskin) .

[(The 40 - year) - (old Mr. Murakami)] is a publishing sensation in {Japan} .

{(A more recent novel) , `` Norwegian Wood '' -LRB- every Japanese under (40) seems to be fluent in [Beatles] lyrics -RRB- ,} has sold more than four million copies since {Kodansha} published {it} in [1987] .

But {he} is just one of [several youthful writers -- {Tokyo 's} brat pack -- who are dominating the best - seller charts in {Japan}] .

[Their] books are written in idiomatic , contemporary language and usually carry hefty dashes of (Americana) .

In [([Robert Whiting 's] `` (You)) ((Gotta Have Wa '' -LRB- Macmillan , 339 pages , $ 17.95 -RRB-)] , [the Beatles]) give way to baseball , in the (Nipponese) version (we) would be hard put to call a `` game . ''

As {Mr. Whiting} describes {it} , [(Nipponese) baseball] is a `` mirror of {Japan 's} fabled virtues of hard work and harmony . ''

`` {Wa} '' is Japanese for `` team spirit '' and Japanese ballplayers have miles and miles of [it] .

{A player 's} commitment to practice and team image is as important as {his} batting average .

Polls (once) named (({Tokyo Giants} star (Tatsunori Hara)) , a `` humble , uncomplaining , obedient soul , '' as the male symbol of {Japan}) .

But other than (the fact) that {besuboru} is played with a ball and a bat , {it} 's unrecognizable : Fans politely return foul balls to stadium ushers ; the strike zone expands depending on the size of the hitter ; {ties} are permitted -- even welcomed -- since {they} honorably sidestep the shame of defeat ; {players} must abide by strict rules of conduct even in {their} personal lives -- players for {the (Tokyo Giants)} , for example , must always wear (ties) when on the road .

`` [(You) (Gotta Have Wa)] '' is the often amusing chronicle of how American ((ballplayers) , rationed to (two per (team , (fare in {Japan})))) .

Despite [the enormous sums of money {they} 're paid to [stand] up at ((a Japanese plate)] , {a good number}) decide {it} 's not worth {it} and run for [home] .

{`` Funny Business '' -LRB- Soho , 228 pages , $ 17.95 -RRB- by {Gary Katzenstein}} is anything but .

{It} 's (the petulant complaint of (an impudent American) whom {Sony} hosted for (a year) while (he) was on a Luce Fellowship in {Tokyo} -- to the regret of both parties) .

In sometimes amusing , more often supercilious , even vicious passages , {Mr. Katzenstein} describes how {Sony} invades even the most mundane aspects of {its} workers ' lives -- at ((the regimented office) , where employees are assigned lunch partners) -- and at `` home '' in the austere company dormitory run by a prying caretaker .

Some of {his} observations about Japanese management style are on (the mark) .

(It) 's probably true that (many salarymen) put in unproductive overtime just for the sake of solidarity , that the system is so hierarchical that (only the assistant manager) can talk to ({the manager} and {the manager}) to the general manager , and that {Sony} was chary of letting a young , short - term American employee take on any responsibility .

All of this must have been enormously frustrating to {(Mr. (Katzenstein)) , who went to {Sony} with degrees in business and computer science and was raring to invent another Walkman} .

But {Sony} ultimately took a lesson from the American management books and fired ({Mr. (Katzenstein)} , after {he} committed the social crime of making an appointment to [see] [the venerable (Akio Morita) , founder of {Sony}]) .

(It) 's (a shame [(their) meeting] never took place) .

{Mr. Katzenstein} certainly would have learned something , and (it) 's even possible {Mr. Morita} would have too .

Ms. Kirkpatrick , the Journal 's deputy editorial features editor , worked in {Tokyo} for three years .

More and more corners of the globe are becoming free of tobacco smoke .

In {Singapore} , [a new law] requires {smokers} to put out {their} cigarettes before entering ((restaurants) , (department stores) and (sports centers)) or face a $ 250 fine .

Discos and private clubs are exempt from [the ban] , and smoking will be permitted in bars except during meal hours , an official said .

{Singapore} already bans smoking in all theaters , (buses) , (public elevators) , (hospitals) and fast - food restaurants .

In Malaysia , ((Siti Zaharah Sulaiman) , (a deputy minister in (the prime minister 's) office) ,) launched a `` No - Smoking Week '' at the Mara Institute of Technology near Kuala Lumpur and urged other schools to ban on - campus smoking .

{South Korea} has different concerns .

In Seoul , officials began visiting about 26,000 cigarette stalls to remove illegal posters and signboards advertising imported cigarettes .

{South Korea} has opened {its} market to foreign cigarettes but restricts advertising to designated places .

[A marketing study] indicates that [[Hong Kong] consumers] are the most materialistic in the 14 major markets where {the survey} was carried out .

[The study by the Backer Spielvogel Bates ad agency] also found that {[the colony 's] consumers} feel more pressured than those in any of ((the other surveyed markets) , which include {[the U.S.] and {Japan}}) .

{The survey} found that (nearly half of [[Hong Kong] consumers]) espouse what {it} identified as materialistic values , compared with about one - third in {{Japan} and {the U.S.}} .

[More than three in five] said {they} are under a great deal of stress most of the time , compared with less than one in (two) U.S. consumers and one in four in {Japan} .

The Thai cabinet endorsed Finance Minister Pramual Sabhavasu 's proposal to build a $ 19 million conference center for a joint meeting of (the (World Bank)) and International Monetary Fund two years from now .

((The meeting) , which is expected to draw 20,000 to Bangkok ,) was going to be held at {the Central Plaza Hotel} , but the government balked at {the hotel 's} conditions for undertaking necessary expansion .

A major concern about the current plan is whether the new center can be built in such a short time .

(Yasser Arafat) has written to [the chairman of [the International Olympic Committee]] asking {him} to back a Palestinian bid to join ({the committee} , (the [Palestine Liberation Organization] news agency WAFA said)) .

An official of {the Palestinian Olympic Committee} said {the committee} (first) [applied] for membership in 1979 and renewed [{its} application] in August of [this year] .

[The PLO] in recent months has been trying to join international organizations but failed (earlier this [year]) to win membership in (the (World Health Organization)) and the World Tourism Organization .

(A Beijing food - shop assistant) has become [the (first) mainland Chinese to get {AIDS} through sex] , [the People 's Daily] said .

{It} said {(the man) , whom {it} did not name ,} had been found to have {the disease} after hospital tests .

(Once) {the disease} was confirmed , all {the man 's} associates and family were tested , but none have so far been found to have {AIDS} , {the newspaper} said .

{The man} had for a long time had `` a chaotic sex life , '' including relations with foreign men , {the newspaper} said .

[The Polish government] increased home electricity charges by 150 % and doubled gas prices .

The official news agency PAP said the increases were intended to bring unrealistically low energy charges into line with production costs and compensate for a rise in coal prices .

In happier news , ({South Korea} , in establishing diplomatic ties with Poland yesterday ,) announced $ 450 million in loans to [the financially strapped Warsaw government] .

In a victory for environmentalists , {{Hungary 's} parliament} terminated [a multibillion - dollar River Danube dam being built by Austrian firms] .

[The (Nagymaros) dam] was designed to be twinned with [another dam , now nearly complete , 100 miles upstream in {Czechoslovakia}] .

In ending {Hungary 's} part of the project , {Parliament} authorized {Prime Minister Miklos Nemeth} to modify [a 1977 agreement with {(Czechoslovakia) , which still wants [the dam] to be built}] .

{Mr. Nemeth} said in [parliament] that {Czechoslovakia} and {Hungary} would suffer environmental damage if the twin dams were built as planned .

{Czechoslovakia} said in (May) {it} could seek $ 2 billion from {Hungary} if [the twindam contract] were broken .

[The Czech dam] ca n't be operated solely at peak periods without [the (Nagymaros) project] .

{A painting by [August Strindberg]} set a Scandinavian price record when {it} sold at auction in Stockholm for $ 2.44 million .

`` [Lighthouse II] '' was painted in oils by [the playwright] in 1901 ...

After years of decline , [weddings in France] showed a 2.2 % upturn {last year} , with 6,000 more couples [exchanging] rings in [1988] than in [the previous year] , the national statistics office said .

But the number of [weddings] {last year} -- 271,124 -- was still well below the 400,000 registered in 1972 , the last year of [increasing marriages] .


# nw/wsj/00/wsj_0049 000

[The Internal Revenue Service] has [threatened] (criminal sanctions) against (lawyers who fail to report [detailed information about (clients who pay them more than $ 10,000 in cash)]) .

{(The warnings) , issued to (at least 100 criminal defense attorneys in several major cities in {the last week}) ,} have led to an outcry by members of ((the organized bar) , who claim {the information} is protected by {attorney - (client privilege)}) .

[The {IRS} warnings] stem from {a 1984 law that [requires] anyone who receives more than $ 10,000 in cash from ([a client or customer] in one or more related transactions `` in the course of trade or business) '' to report {the payment} on [a document known as (Form (8300))]} .

{The form} asks for (such details as {the client 's} name , (Social Security number) , (passport number) and (details about the services provided for {the payment})) .

[Failure to complete {the form}] had been punishable as a misdemeanor until last November , when {Congress} determined that {the crime} was (a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison) .

{Attorneys} have argued since [(1985) , when {the law} took effect] , that {they} can not provide information about (clients who do n't wish (their) identities to be known) .

Many attorneys have returned {incomplete forms} to {the IRS} in (recent years) , citing {attorney - (client privilege)} .

Until (last week) , {the IRS} rarely acted on {the incomplete forms} .

`` {This form} forces [a lawyer] to become , in effect , (a witness) against ({his} client) , '' said {(Neal R. Sonnett) , (president of [the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers])} .

`` {The IRS} is asking (lawyers) to red - flag a criminal problem to {the government} , '' added {(Mr. (Sonnett)) , (a Miami lawyer who has heard from dozens of attorneys who received letters in (recent days) and has (himself) received the computer - generated {IRS} forms sent by certified mail)} .

{Mr. Sonnett} said that (clients who pay cash) may include [alleged drug dealers who do n't have domestic bank accounts] .

{These individuals} may not necessarily be under investigation when {they} hire (lawyers) .

{Mr. Sonnett} said there also may be other circumstances under which {individuals} would n't want [the government] to know {they} had retained (criminal defense lawyers) .

Filling out detailed forms about {these individuals} would tip {the IRS} off and spark action against {the clients} , {he} said .

[(The defense lawyers ') group] formed a task force (this week) , chaired by {New York} attorney Gerald Lefcourt , to deal with {the matter} .

[The American Bar Association 's] House of Delegates passed a resolution in {1985} condemning [the {IRS} reporting requirement] .

{(Michael Ross) , (a {New York} lawyer who heads {the ABA 's} grand jury committee) ,} said that (lawyers) are prohibited by ({the ABA 's} code of ethics) from [disclosing] information about [a client] except where a court orders {it} or to prevent {the client} from committing a criminal act (that) could result in death .

{Mr. Ross} said {he} [met] with ((officials of {the (IRS)}) and [((the (Justice Department)) , which would bring any enforcement actions against taxpayers)) ,] to discuss {the issue} last May .

At [that meeting] , {he} said , {the Justice Department} assured {him} that enforcement procedures would n't be threatened against (attorneys) without further review and advance notice .

{Mr. Ross} said ({IRS} officials) opposed {the Justice Department 's} moderate stance on {the matter} .

But in ([the letters sent in ((recent days)] , Christopher J. Lezovich of the {IRS} computing center in Detroit)) , told (attorneys) that `` failing to voluntarily submit [the requested information] could result in summons enforcement action being initiated . ''

In some cases , {the IRS} asked for information dating back to forms {it} received in {1985} .

[A spokesman for {the IRS}] confirmed that `` there has been [correspondence mailed about incomplete (8300s)] , '' but {he} declined to say why {the letters} were sent to (lawyers) now .

Individuals familiar with {the Justice Department 's} policy said that ([Justice] officials) had n't any knowledge of {the IRS 's} actions in {the last week} .

{Lawyers} worry that if {they} provide [information about (clients)] , [that data] could quickly end up in the hands of (prosecutors) .

{Prosecutors} need (court permission) to obtain the tax returns of an individual or a business .

But {they} have obtained (8300) forms without (court permission) and used {the information} to help develop criminal cases .

Some criminal lawyers speculated that {the IRS} was sending {the letters} to test {the issue} .

In a number of recent cases , federal courts have refused to recognize (attorneys ') assertions that information relating to fees from (clients) should be confidential .

THE WAR OVER FEDERAL JUDICIAL SALARIES takes {a victim} .

Often , (judges) ease into more lucrative private practice with little fanfare , but not {federal Judge Raul A. Ramirez in (Sacramento) , Calif} .

On Tuesday , {the judge} called a news conference to say {he} was quitting effective Dec. 31 to join [a San Francisco law firm] .

The reason : the refusal of {Congress} to give (federal judges) a raise .

`` [A couple of ({my} law clerks)] were going to pass {me} in (three) or four (years) , and {I} was afraid {I} was going to have to ask {them} for a loan , '' {the judge} quipped in an interview .

{Federal judges} make $ 89,500 annually ; in February , {Congress} rejected a bill that would have increased {their} pay by 50 % .

{(Judge (Ramirez)) , 44 ,} said it is unjust for {judges} to make what {they} do .

`` {Judges} are not getting what {they} deserve .

(You) look around at professional ballplayers or accountants ... and nobody blinks an eye .

When (you) become ((a federal judge) , all of a sudden) (you) are relegated to a paltry sum . ''

At {his} new job , as partner in charge of federal litigation in the (Sacramento) office of [Orrick , Herrington & Sutcliffe] , {he} will make out much better .

{The judge} declined to discuss {his} salary in detail , but said : `` {I} 'm going to be a high - priced lawyer . ''

[[DOONESBURY CREATOR'S] UNION TROUBLES] are no laughing matter .

{Cartoonist Garry Trudeau} is suing {the Writers Guild of America East} for [$ 11 million] , alleging {it} mounted a `` campaign to [harass] and punish '' {him} for crossing a screenwriters ' picket line .

[The dispute] involves {(Darkhorse Productions Inc.) , (a TV production company in which {Mr. Trudeau} is (a co-owner))} .

{(Mr. (Trudeau)) , (a {Writers Guild} member) ,} also was employed as a writer for [(Darkhorse) , which was covered by a guild collective - bargaining agreement] .

{The guild} began [(a strike) against the TV and movie industry] in March 1988 .

In [{his} lawsuit] , {Mr. Trudeau} says {the strike} illegally included {Darkhorse} , and [the cartoonist] refused to honor the strike against {the company} .

{A spokesman for {the guild}} said [the union 's] lawyers are reviewing {the suit} .

{He} said (disciplinary proceedings) are confidential and declined to comment on whether any are being held against {Mr. Trudeau} .

{({Mr. Trudeau 's} attorney) , (Norman K. Samnick) ,} said [the harassment] consists mainly of ({the guild 's} year - long threats of [disciplinary action]) .

{Mr. Samnick} said a guild disciplinary hearing is scheduled next Monday in {New York} .

{(Mr. (Samnick)) , who will go before (the disciplinary panel) ,} said (the proceedings) are unfair and that [any punishment from {the guild}] would be unjustified .

In addition to [the damages] , {the suit} seeks a court order preventing {the guild} from punishing or retaliating against {Mr. Trudeau} .

[ABORTION RULING] [UPHELD] :

[A federal appeals court] [upheld] [a lower court ruling that the U.S. can bar the use of [federal funds] for family - planning programs that include abortion - (related services)] .

[A Department of (Health and Human Services rule adopted in 1988)] prohibits the use of [so - (called Title X funds] for programs that assist a woman in obtaining an abortion , such as abortion counseling and referrals) .

{The rule} also prohibits funding for activities that `` encourage , promote or advocate abortion . ''

{Title X funds} are the single largest source of federal funding for family - planning (services) , according to the opinion by [the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in {New York}] .

{The panel} ruled that the restrictions do n't violate the freedom of speech of health care providers and that the limits on counseling services do n't violate the rights of pregnant women .

[INQUIRY] CLEARS [[TEXAS] JUDGE] of [bias] in comments on {homosexual murder victims} .

{Dallas District Judge Jack Hampton} had sparked calls for [a judicial inquiry] with [{his} remarks to the press] last December , (two) weeks after sentencing an 18 - year - old defendant to 30 years in state prison for killing [(two) homosexual men] in a city park .

{The judge} was quoted as referring to {the victims} as `` queers '' and saying {they} would n't have been killed `` if {they} had n't been cruising the streets picking up teenage boys . ''

But {(Robert R. Murray) , (a special master appointed by the Texas Supreme Court) ,} said {Judge Hampton} did n't breach any judicial standards of fairness , although {he} did violate [the state 's] judicial code by commenting publicly on a pending case .

Observing that {the judge} `` has never exhibited any [bias] or prejudice , '' {Mr. Murray} concluded that {he} `` would be impartial in any case involving a homosexual or prostitute '' as (a victim) .

{Mr. Murray} also said [{Judge Hampton 's} comments] did n't discredit the judiciary or the administration of justice .

The report is subject to review by (the (State Commission) on Judicial Conduct) , which is empowered to impose (sanctions) .

{GAF} TRIAL goes to [round (three)] .

Attorneys in [the third stock - (manipulation trial of {GAF Corp.})] began opening arguments yesterday in the {Manhattan} courtroom of U.S. District Judge Mary Johnson Lowe .

In (an eight - count indictment) , {the government} has charged {[(GAF) , a Wayne , N.J. , specialty chemical maker ,] and (its) Vice Chairman James T. Sherwin} with attempting to manipulate [the common stock of Union Carbide Corp.] in advance of {GAF 's} planned sale of a large block of [the stock] in November 1986 .

The first (two) {GAF} trials ended in mistrials (earlier this year) .

{This trial} is expected to last five weeks .

SWITCHING TO THE DEFENSE :

A former member of the prosecution team in the Iran / Contra affair joined [the Chicago firm of Mayer , Brown & Platt] .

{(Michael R. Bromwich) , (a member since January 1987 of (the three) - lawyer trial team in the prosecution of Oliver North) ,} became a partner in the Washington , D.C. , office of [the 520 - lawyer firm] .

{He} will specialize in white - collar criminal defense work .

{(Mr. (Bromwich)) , 35 ,} also has served as deputy chief and chief of the narcotics unit for the U.S. attorney 's office for the Southern District of [New York] , based in {Manhattan} .


# nw/wsj/00/wsj_0089 000

[The art of change - ringing] is peculiar to (the English) , and , like most English peculiarities , unintelligible to the rest of the world .

[-- ((Dorothy L. Sayers) , `` The Nine Tailors '')]

{(ASLACTON) , {England}}

-- Of all scenes that evoke (rural (England)) , this is one of the loveliest : {An ancient stone church} stands amid ((the fields) , (the sound of bells cascading from {{its} tower} , calling the faithful to evensong)) .

The parishioners of {St. Michael and All Angels} stop to chat at the church door , as members [here] always have .

In {the tower} , [(five) men and (women)] pull rhythmically on (ropes attached to the same (five) bells that first sounded here in 1614) .

But there is also ([a discordant , modern note] in {Aslacton}) , though {it} ca n't be heard by (the church - goers enjoying the peal of bells (this cool autumn evening)) .

Like most of the other (6,000) churches in ([Britain] with sets of (bells)) , {St. Michael} (once) had {its} own `` band '' of ((ringers) , who would herald every (Sunday) morning and (evening) service) .

(Now) , {only one local ringer} remains : [64 - year - (old Derek Hammond)] .

[(The others) here] today live elsewhere .

{They} belong to [a group of 15 ringers -- including (two) octogenarians and (four youngsters in training) -- who drive every (Sunday) from church to (church in a sometimes) - exhausting effort to keep the bells sounding in the many belfries of East Anglia] .

`` To ring for even one service at {this tower} , {we} have to scrape , '' says {(Mr. (Hammond)) , a retired water - authority worker} .

`` {We} 've tried to train {the youngsters} , but {they} have {their} discos and {their} dances , and {they} just drift away . ''

{Mr. Hammond} worries that old age and the flightiness of youth will diminish the ranks of the East Anglian group that keeps the {Aslacton} bells pealing .

History , after all , is not on {his} side .

According to a nationwide survey taken a year ago , nearly a third of {{England 's} church bells} are no longer rung on (Sundays) because there is no one to ring {them} .

It is easy to see why [the ancient art] is on (the ropes) .

The less complicated version of playing tunes on ((bells) , as do the carillons of continental Europe ,) is considered by (the English) to be childish , fit only for foreigners .

[Change - (ringing , (a mind)) - boggling exercise (the English) invented 380 years ago ,] requires physical dexterity -- some bells weigh more than a ton -- combined with intense mental concentration .

(Proper English bells) are started off in `` rounds , '' from the highest - pitched bell to the lowest -- a simple descending scale using , in larger churches , as many as 12 bells .

Then , at a signal , (the ringers) begin varying the order in which (the bells) sound without altering the steady rhythm of the striking .

Each variation , or change , can occur ((only (once)) , (the rules state)) .

(Ringers) memorize patterns of ((changes) , known as (`` (methods) , '' which have odd)) - sounding names like Kent Treble Bob Major or Grandsire Caters .

A series of (5,000 or so changes) is a `` peal '' and takes about three hours .

A look at a Thursday night practice at (St. Mary Abbot church) in the Kensington district of London gives an idea of the work involved .

Ten shirt - (sleeved ringers) stand in ((a circle) , one foot ahead of the other in a prize - fighter 's stance , each pulling a rope that disappears through a small hole in (the high ceiling of the ringing chamber)) .

(No one) speaks , and the snaking of (the ropes) seems to make as much sound as the bells (themselves) , muffled by (the ceiling) .

Totally absorbed , {the ringers} stare straight ahead , using peripheral vision -LRB- {they} call (it) `` rope - sight '' -RRB- to watch the other ropes and thus time {their} pulls .

Far above in (the belfry) , ((the huge bronze bells) , mounted on wheels ,) swing madly through a full 360 degrees , starting and ending , surprisingly , in the inverted , or mouth - up position .

{Skilled ringers} use {their} wrists to advance or retard the next swing , so that one bell can swap places with another in the following change .

In (a well - known detective - story involving (church bells)) , {English novelist Dorothy L. Sayers} described (ringing) as a `` passion -LCB- that -RCB- finds (its) satisfaction in mathematical completeness and mechanical perfection . ''

(Ringers) , [she] added , are `` filled with the solemn intoxication that comes of intricate ritual faultlessly performed . ''

`` [Ringing] does become a bit of an obsession , '' admits ((Stephanie Pattenden) , (master of the band at St. Mary Abbot and one of [England 's] best female ringers)) .

[It] is a passion that usually stays in (the tower) , however .

More often than not , {ringers} think of (the church) as something stuck on the bottom of (the belfry) .

When ({their} changes) are completed , and after {they} have worked up a sweat , {ringers} often skip off to the local pub , leaving worship for others below .

This does not sit well with some clerics .

With membership of the Church of {England} steadily dwindling , strong - (willed vicars) are pressing equally strong - willed and often non-religious ringers to attend services .

Two years ago , {(the Rev. (Jeremy Hummerstone)) , (vicar of [(Great Torrington)) , Devon] ,} got so fed up with (ringers who did n't attend service) {he} sacked [the entire band] ; {the ringers} promptly set up a picket line in protest .

`` {They} were a self - perpetuating club that treated (the tower) as sort of a separate premises , '' {the Vicar Hummerstone} says .

An entirely new band rings today at {Great Torrington} , (several of (whom)) are (members of (the congregation)) .

But there still are n't enough ringers to ring more than six of the eight bells .

At (St. Mary 's Church in Ilminster , Somerset) , (the bells) have [fallen] silent following a dust - up over church attendance .

((The vicar) , (W.D. Jones) ,) refuses to [talk] about {it} , saying {it} would `` reopen the wound . ''

But {(C.J.B. Marshall) , (vicar of a nearby church) ,} feels the fault is in the stairs from the bell tower that are located next to the altar .

`` So crunch , crunch , crunch , bang , bang , bang -- here come (the ringers) from above , making a very obvious exit while (the congregation) is at prayer , '' {he} says .

{Vicar Marshall} admits to mixed feelings about this issue , since {he} is both (a vicar) and an active bell - (ringer {himself}) .

`` (The sound of (bells)) is (a net to draw people into (the church)) , '' {he} says .

`` {I} live in hopes that (the ringers) (themselves) will be drawn into that fuller life . ''

[The (Central Council of Church Bell Ringers) , a sort of parliament of ringing groups ,] aims to improve relations with (vicars) , says {(John C. Baldwin) , president} .

{It} hopes to speak to (students at theological colleges) about the joys of bell ringing and will shortly publish a booklet for every vicar in ([the country] entitled , `` The Bells in (Your) Care) . ''

Says {Mr. (Baldwin)} , `` {We} recognize that {we} may no longer have as high a priority in church life and experience . ''

{Mr. Baldwin} is also attacking (the greater problem : lack of (ringers)) .

One survey says that of [(the 100,000 trained bellringers in {England}) today] , only 40,000 of {them} still ring .

Also , (ringers) do n't always live where (the bells) need to be rung -- like in small , rural parishes and inner - city churches .

But {the council 's} program to attract and train (ringers) is only partly successful , says {Mr. Baldwin} .

`` (Right now) , {we} 're lucky if after (five) years {we} keep one new ringer out of 10 , '' {he} adds .

One bright sign is that a growing number of women have entered the (once) male - dominated field ; more than a third of the ringers today are {women} .

{They} are n't accepted everywhere , however .

The oldest bell - (ringing group in (the country)) , ([the (Ancient Society] of College Youths)) , founded in 1637 , [remains] male - only , [(a fact that 's particularly galling to (women) because {the group}) is (the sole source of ((ringers for {Britain 's} most prestigious churches) , St. Paul 's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey))] .

This being {Britain} , (no woman) has filed an equal - opportunity suit , but the extent of (the problem) surfaced this summer in a series of letters to (`` (The Ringing World) , '' (a weekly newspaper for (ringers))) .

(One writer) , signing (his) letter as `` Red - blooded , balanced male , '' remarked on the `` frequency of [(women) fainting in (peals)] , '' and suggested that {they} `` settle back into {their} traditional role of making tea at meetings . ''

In the torrent of replies that followed , one woman ringer from Solihull observed that `` the average male ringer leaves quite a lot to be desired : badly dressed , decorated with acne and a large beer - belly , frequently unwashed and unbearably flatulent in (peals) . ''

[Another women] wrote from Sheffield to say that in {her} 60 years of ringing , `` {I} have never known a lady to faint in (the belfry) .

{I} have seen [one or ((two) men)] die , bless {them} .