Many record-length peals, including the longest peal ever rung, are by handbell ringers. Another area of peal ringing is that of long-length peals. The curtain closes as the Glorious Ones explode into joyous peals of laughter. When ringing peals and quarter peals on fewer bells several complete extents are rung consecutively. His rare powers of imitation irresistibly drew peals of laughter from the gravest audience. His breath became the wind and clouds; his voice became peals of thunder. After the initial shock subsides, everybody ends up in peals of laughter. The ringing of peals signifies a time of rejoicing, such as a wedding. Nine peals were rung at the Abbey in the eighteenth century. The church contains one of the finest peals of bells in the county. An extended ringing of peals or "changes" conveys a time of great civic celebration. The re-opening was celebrated with peals from the Bells of Congress from the clock tower. Today over 4000 peals are rung each year. Between 1712 and 1824, 83 peals were cast for Cornish churches. Handbell peals are shorter for equivalent changes.