My memory is not that good from the married years but I seem to have it stuck in my mind that the war years were mentioned in the Blowers schpiel. And he definitely said the purpose of sounding the horn was to tell people that "all was safe". That's 40149** nights without highwaymen, burglers, riot, civil wars, and general naerdowells. But I bet they lock their doors at night, just in case.

pedants' corner
1) how old is the obelisk?
2) ** yea yea but: start date? Leap Years (I could work those) & Pope Gregory!