ĢģĶķ
×
§§-


PRACTICAL REMARKS
ON
BELFRIES AND RINGERS:
* 4 ~~~s a “smsa- a “º
WITH AN
APPENDIX ON CHIMING.
Öğith Hillustrationg.
BY
THE REV. HENRY THOMAS ELLACOMBE, M.A., F.S.A.
OF ORIEL COLLEGE, OXFORD ;
RECTOR OF CLYST ST. GEORGE, DEVONSHIRE ;
FORMERLY VICAR OF BITTON, GLOU CESTER.
Jitfti) (EUífiðni.
LONDON :
BELL AND SONS, COVENT GARDEN.
1884.
TNulls (Q.
M L
| C44C
.E #4
|$34
i
C O N T E N T S.
Preface to Fifth Edition ... * * * ºn tº C. Page iii
Preface to Fourth Edition ... V
Apology vii
Opinions of the Press viii
Practical Remarks on Belfries and Ringers tº e # tº ge I
Rules for Ringers I9
Chiming : an Appendix 27
PostScript to Third Edition 45
5 3 to Fourth Edition & © º tº e e tº ſº tº 49
Rules for Ringers in “Doggerel Verse” tº ſº & © tº tº 53
Scale of Rings: shewing the Note, Diameter, and Weight 55
Hanging of Church Bells
ILLUSTRATIONs: Plate I.
, II.
,, III.
,, IV.
, V.
,, VI.
, VII.
, VIII.
tº § e 6o
A Church Bell.
Half Wheel at Dunchideock.
Whole Wheel.
Details. *
Bell and Stock. -
Present method of hanging Church
Bells.
Author's contrivance for Chiming.
Open Mouth Fillet.
PREFACE TO FIFTH EDITION.
The 500 copies of the last edition having
been sold, I am tempted to issue a fifth, the
more so as it seems from what took place at
the late Conference at Reading (13th October,
1883), that the subject of Belfry Reform and
the raising the social position of ringers is en-
gaging the attention of earnest Churchmen ; but
I am convinced that the introduction of scientific
Change-ringing (by itself) will not accomplish
that object.
It appears in the report of the meeting at
Reading previously referred to, that a Mr. J. Hall
exhibited an “Inter-locking gear” to prevent
accidents from my chiming hammers, by cleverly
locking the wheel of the bells; but I have
never known any accident from the use of the
chiming hammers excepting by wilful mischief,
OT ill-feeling on the part of ringers, who some-
times have been known to look with very un-
friendly feelings on the introduction of the
vi.
hammers. When mischief has been done, it has
generally affected the hammer by knocking it
out of place, instead of damaging the lip of
the bell. i
º g
|
\\}|
|
| |
º
| º
t | i it |-|- sº º * If
- h | ; º { G F: --- ; ſ d i
l | || ºil. Lºl Cºlin. |lill
! | º ; | & , S: , " . . . |H jºin
| ||rº.
i H º º,
|||}|
|
|
º
º
ill
|
i. f
|
|
º
º
|
tºº.
|
i
!
''. º
Tºll
| |ºll||{i}
l
|:
|
|
|
#| || |*||
|
#||
º! #||
|
i
nº
WSN
º
W.
S. Sºft'ſ \\\\?\,.
| |\ººl
| !!}{\\\ ,
º |*|†º
ºft|||||||}|{{ſ} § . .
: ſiliºiſºlſ|| §§
| w
º
("I' Sº ' ". . ; R\\\\ A.I.A.
:--> § ii º | | \{ ||
:----> E is § fift||||}|, -
S. S. | ºl,' ſ .* I |
--- * Hºº S. sº ſº it! º
º * Hº Hº R --- | -
N}| * III & IIH, S. " . . . . . . . . ..yl TVWºº,
ºl ºllº II.4. * > . . . ." - N.
|' º, | liºl||Y Sº Sl i.v. | 'WM ł' º
* { ſ ; : S-2 | | | | | | 1 d
º; v ºl. º . . . , ſº 'Tººh: ||.
sº ºº:: - & X || *Wºl, ſº ºl
4||f|Aft:}} º: jiàº.
I-.S. º w *..., xº~. º: Miº Mº tº " :
sº *º § Nºll||\,\!\!\!\!
) | º º *|†:
ſ º, ºil
; : º º |
; |
{
their block, I am enabled to annex the engraving,
which shows their mode of fitting up a manual
attached to my chiming hammers. In the way
here represented, the cords have to be pulled
(707&n, but I consider it better that the manual
should be so arranged that the cords should be
pulled out, like the strings of a harp.
H. T. E.
FEAST OF THE CIRCUMCISION, I884.

























PREFACE TO FOURTH EDITION.
Nearly thirty years have elapsed since this
brochure was first published, during which time,
most happily, greater attention has been paid
to our belfries and ringers, so that in many
cases, such stringent rules as those printed in
the first edition are not at all applicable ; but
they are republished as a record of the days of
evil, and also for use in places where reform has
not yet taken place. Speaking now from ex-
perience, no written rules are required—none but
such as are in accordance with the etiquette of
good society.
In well ordered belfries, where scientific
change ringing is the practice, the following are
sufficient—
Ears open ; Eyes wide;
Feet steady ; Tongue tied.
Yet, even in well conducted belfries, written
V1,
rules may be advisable as a protection to the
ringers against outsiders, who might intrude
themselves and be an annoyance.
In this edition I have substituted the word
“Ring” instead of “Peal,” it being the more
correct and ancient term for a set of Bells.
PEAL applies to the work done with any set
of Bells.
H. T. E.
JUNE 29, 1878.
APOLOGY FOR BELLS.
“Some, perhaps, may wonder why any one should thus trouble
himself about so low and mean a subject as this is generally
thought to be ; but I think nothing mean or low that hath any
relation to the Service of God and His Church.”—BA. Beveridge,
Tract on Psalmody, edit. 17 Io.
“Bells reconcile man with man, and unite divers members
into one body, and tighten its cords by mutual good will and
sympathy.”—Translation from an Essay on the Symbolism of the
Ae//, 1859.
“An old Bell by its inscriptions, its medallions, and its orna-
ments, relates the history of the past better than a mutilated
stone.”—-Translation from M. Pardiac's Notes about the Bells of
Bordeaux, 1858.
“I don't know that one could choose any of man's inventions
which has more various and touching associations than a Bell,
and certainly Church Bells must take a leading place in the
great poem that might be written on them.”—Sir S. H. Morthcote,
November 4, 1873.
Therefore, to quote an elegant passage from Cicero:-
“Quis mihi jure succenseat, si quantum caeteris ad res suas
Obeundas, quantum ad festos dies ludorum celebrandos, quantum
ad alias voluptates, conceditur temporum, quantum alii tribuunt
tempestivis conviviis, quantum denique aleae, quantum pilae ;
tantum mihi egomet ad haec studia recolenda sumpsero?”—Cicero,
pro Archiæ Poeta.
Not, however, forgetting Cicero's quotation from Plato —
“Non nobis Solum nati sumus, ortusque nostri partem patria
vindicat, partem parentes, partem amici.”—Cicero, de Off, lib. i,
C. vii, § 22.
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.
“The revived interest in all ecclesiastical studies has extended
to Bells, and the researches of Mr. Ellacombe are worthy fruits of
this newly awakened spirit.”—Quarterly A'eview, No. CXC, p. 308.
sºmºmº
“The Rev. H. T. Ellacombe, Rector of Clyst S. George,
Devon, has published PRACTICAL REMARKs on BELFRIES AND
RINGERs, and an APPENDIX ON CHIMING, (Bell and Daldy).
These are exceedingly sensible and judicious; and we should be
glad to hear that they were circulated extensively. The author
holds it to be essential for the proper arrangement of a belfry, that
the ringers should be paid out of an endowment Fund. The
Appendix is illustrated by some useful descriptive plates of the
method of hanging bells, and of contriving chimes.”—Ecclesiologist,
vol. xxi, p. I 19.
*º-
“Mr. Ellacombe's brochure on ‘Belfries and Ringers' still
remains, in spite of some rivals, the standard treatise upon the
subject. It is full of practical knowledge of country parishes,
and sensible appreciation of their peculiar difficulties. The rules
for ringers seem to us quite a model of homely good sense ; and
the pamphlet is distinctly one that we can recommend.”—Zife, azy
Churchman, 18 November, 1876.
PRACTICAL REMARKS
ON
H E LFRIES AND RINGERS
Reared in a country parsonage, and close to a
ring of eight bells, as musical and as well rung
(unscientifically) as any in the kingdom, it has been
my lot from childhood to have seen much of the
practices in a country belfry. They had better, I
grieve to say, be passed over in silence ; for such
things as I remember to have seen and heard
would hardly be tolerated in a village alehouse ;
and yet the ringers were considered respectable,
honest men in their way, and had the honour—
many of them—of being the ringers of the Cathedral
bells in the adjoining city, where fifteen men were
required ; and it was a well-known fact that, as a
body, a more drunken set of fellows could not be
found. It is painful to me even to allude to such
ungodly practices : I mention the fact, in the hope
that it may perhaps call the attention of those in
authority to this crying evil, which exists more or
less in every parish and belfry in England ; for I
fear it may be too truly said, “Ex uno disce
omnes;” and how dreadful it is to think of such
conduct in a Church, if perchance (as formerly no
doubt was universally the case) the ropes hang
down to the pavement of the ground floor. It is
2
therefore high time—especially in these days, when
so many efforts are made to restore a better dis-
cipline, and a more legitimate and correct system
in all Church matters—that some move should be
made towards bringing the belfry and the occu-
piers thereof under regulations in accordance with
Church order and discipline.
Perhaps no one thing has been the source
of such constant trouble and annoyance to the
clergyman as the belfry and the ringers; especially
if the same parties happened to belong to the
self-appointed and conceited choir of “the singers.”
I have heard of clergymen who have even refused
to accept a living where there was a ring of bells;
and of those who have said, upon learning the
number of bells in the tower, “Then, certain
it is there are as many drunkards in the village.”
“That man is a ringer,” is quite enough in some
places to intimate that he is an idle, sottish charac-
ter. I know one clergyman who left his curacy in
Worcestershire on account of the conduct of the
ringers.
The condition of the belfry itself rarely seems to
have attracted the notice of the Deans-rural, or of
the Bishops and Archdeacons, so as to form one of
the articles of inquiry issued to the churchwardens
to be presented at their respective visitations; or
surely much of the dirt and rubbish, which may
generally be found there, would long ago have been
swept away, and their dilapidated state repaired.
I would therefore most respectfully suggest that,
3
in all such articles of inquiry, questions should be
inserted as to the condition and cleanliness of the
belfry, the character and conduct of the ringers,
whether drinking or smoking is ever practised there,
and whether ringing matches for prizes are allowed 2
There can be no doubt that such an inquiry
would be productive of very great benefit : it
would strengthen the minister's position, and put
the churchwardens on their guard, if they found
such points closely inquired into, especially if they
found the inquiry was followed up by a firm, active
and 7udicious proceedings. For, in country parishes
especially, the churchwardens have hitherto been
rarely found to uphold the minister in such matters;
in many places being raised but little above the
grade of the ringers, and in some places being
themselves of the number : thus the minister,
feeling that the whole onus of controlling the bells
and correcting abuses in the belfry rests solely on
his shoulders, is induced rather to let things go
on as he found them, than screw up his moral
courage to undertake the task of bringing about a
reformation. For though the controlling power,
which by law the minister possesses over the
bells, is generally now pretty well understood,”
* In the time of the public excitement about Queen Caroline,
and the passing of the Reform Bill, several cases of most dis-
graceful conduct on the part of ringers were brought before the
authorities, and the offenders were punished.
The 88th Canon is sufficiently powerful. See also Dr. Philli-
lmore's Edition of Burn's Zacles. Zazº, , or the late Editions of
Prideaux's Guide to Churchwardens.
4.
and his veto upon their use established, yet, unless
absolutely necessary, and in very glaring cases, it
will be found a very impolitic step for him to
exercise his right; and, by such means, to bring
about the reformation he wishes. He may silence
the bells; but the chances are that, by so doing
(especially if he has but lately come to reside in the
place), he will awaken a most discordant clamour (or,
to use a ringer's phrase, “open" other “clappers”)
throughout his parish against himself, and the
Church, and all his ministrations, which he may
not be able to tranquillize for years. In such a
movement he will find it far better to give as little
offence as possible, endeavouring to lead and draw
the ringers to his views by kind and temperate
reasoning, and not raising the angry and malevolent
passions of such characters by an intemperate zeal, or
any harsh and overbearing exhibition of authority.
Men of little experience as country pastors may
think a different course preferable ; but time and
practice will prove to them, that for their own
comfort, for the sake of peace, and for the good of
the Church, a firm but kind and gentle course
“unam eandemque viam premens '' is the most
effectual way to win the hearts of our people ; after
which, there will be little trouble in carrying out
every desirable restoration of good order and
ecclesiastical usages.
I will not presume to say that the plan adopted
in my own parish is the best that can be devised,
or that it has been brought about by the most
5
judicious management; but it may be of service
to others to know what was the condition of the
ringers at one time, and what improvement has
been introduced among them.
When first I went to the parish of Bitton—July
1817—scarcely one of the six ringers attended the
services of the Church I used to see them on a
Sunday, waiting in the churchyard till the service
was over; and then, almost before every person had
left the holy place, they would strike out a merry
peal. This was a state of things which could not be
suffered to continue, and therefore at once I did
what I could in the way of talking and reasoning
with them ; and at last I was obliged to make it a
rule, that unless they came to pray they should not
be allowed to ring. For a time this gave great
offence ; but I remained firm, and at last the man
who was most outrageous confessed to me that my
view of the matter was right.
In the course of time the old ringers dropped
off, and others, self-appointed, succeeded; and very
Soon, by their own consent and proposal, I obtained
the custody of the keys of the tower. Before that,
the ringers had uncontrolled admission to the
belfry when they pleased, and for what purpose
they pleased ; but ever since, the keys have been
kept at the vicarage.
It has long been the practice—and a very com-
mon one it is in country villages—to ring a peal
or two on Sunday mornings, sometimes before and
Sometimes after breakfast ; but I observed that the
6
ringers seldom came to Church afterwards; and
therefore, except on festival days, I at once pro-
hibited all ringing at any time before morning
service. However delightful and practical may be
the thoughts connected with a cheerful peal on a
Sunday morning, I am quite sure that in most cases
it will be found that peal-ringing on Sundays—
morning or evening—leads to the alehouse after-
wards. Much evil therefore will be prevented by
stopping it altogether, until a better system of
appointing and remunerating the ringers can be
introduced.
I once received a letter from the son of one of
the ringers, in which he implored me to use my
influence to put a stop to Sunday ringing ; recount-
ing in his letter the evils and misery he had witnessed
in his father's family, which had resulted from this
practice.
In the course of years I had the pleasure to see
this point also carried ; for, at last, the men them-
selves came to a resolution to give it up. I then
expressed my approbation, especially as it was their
own act—from conviction ; but as they had done so,
they at the same time understood from me, that it
would not be allowed again for mere practice or
almu Selllellt.
I should add, that when the Sunday ringing was
discontinued, it was with an understanding that they
might in future practice two evenings in the week
instead of one, to which the amusement or practice
had long before been limited. It would sometimes
7
happen that a young hand stood in need of a little
more frequent practice; and then it has been usual
for some of the company to have the keys of the
belfry, and tie the clappers, so that raising and
falling might be practised without any annoyance to
the neighbourhood.
Experience has long convinced me, that no proper
system for regulating the use of the bells, and the
conduct of the ringers—subservient to legitimate
ecclesiastical uses—will ever be effected without
an endowment fund. This fund should be vested
in the incumbent as trustee ; and so appointed, that
fines should be levied on the portion or dividend of
each ringer who is guilty of any neglect of duty, or
who acts contrary to the regulations which may
have been agreed upon for their observance. The
fines so kept back, at the end of the year, on the
dividend day, should not be shared by the rest
of company; but should be given to some other
parochial purpose (perhaps to the Village School
Fund), to be settled in the endowment deed.
Perhaps the great difficulty in the way of carrying
out such an arrangement, would be the getting a
respectable and trustworthy man to be the foreman
of the company; who would keep an honest account
of all fines incurred ; and who should be one with
whom the company would agree to keep on good
terms. Strongly impressed with this view of the
subject, and consulting with friends on the principle
involved in it, I had long wished to make a trial;
and, having opened the matter to some of the
8
ringers, the rules which are annexed to these
remarks were drawn up and submitted to them.”
With the exception of the first—which is a resolu-
tion—those at the beginning are only an amended
form of some which they had themselves made, or
had traditionally observed : those at the end are
drawn up on the principle here laid down. The
men readily signed them ; and, since that, the
churchwardens have added their approbation—so
that, at all events, a trial will be made.t
It should have been noticed, that the ringers to
whom these rules apply have nothing at all to do
with the service bells and chiming : the sexton
attends to all that. It is certainly desirable that
the ringers, as officers of the church, should be in
attendance at those times : but that cannot be
expected of men of that grade, unless they are paid
for it, or unless they have been happily trained in
principles of love and reverence for the Church,
and feel it an honour to be so employed ; but, even
then, you would not be certain of the required
number on every occasion.
* There may be some who will be disposed to smile, perhaps,
at the reading of these rules; but it should be borne in mind that
they are by no means what I would wish them to be : they are,
it is to be hoped, but a beginning of a more excellent way; they
apply to a particular place; it is Surely not expedient to generalize,
at first, where a reform is aimed at, “Wisely and slowly; perfection
is but of slow growth. They stumble that run fast.”
| Since these remarks were written, the rules have been tried
twelve years, and worked most satisfactorily. In this place I
have introduced a shorter code, which I should recommend for
general use.-Mote in Second Edition, 1861.
9
In some places, especially in the north of England,
it is usual to ring the bells in peal before service ;
but the more general practice is to chime, as in the
old distich—
“To call the folk to church in time
We chime,”
and miserable work that is in some places ! the
sexton and a boy, or other chance person helping
him, jangle three or four bells. A clever fellow
may sometimes be seen chiming three, or even
more, by leaning against the wall, and taking one
rope in each hand, while another rope is looped up
for each elbow and his foot to work. “Angels'
music "
And here I may be allowed to mention a con-
trivance which may be easily adopted, and with
very little expense : by which all the difficulty in
the way of securing the regular chiming of all the
bells in a tower may be obviated.*
This may be effected either by heavy hammers
to strike outside on the “bridge " of the bells,
like those of a clock ; or by fixing light hammers
or balls, proportioned in size, and in length of
lever, to each bell, and so arranged to work on
an axis, as to strike on the inside—just where the
clapper strikes, and when not in use, to drop
down, so as to be quite clear of the swing of
the bell when rung. This mode is more simple
than the outside hammers, for which there is often
* See Appendix, with an illustration.
IO
little or no room. A cord, or “sash line,” fastened
at the end of the lever, may be guided by pulleys
to a given point in the church, where the ends are
tied, when used, to a fixed horizontal bar.” This
bar should be about three feet from the floor;
and about two feet above it there should be the last
set of pulleys, arranged in a row about three inches
apart—the pulleys should not be less than four
inches in diameter. Care should be taken to pull
the lines down, so that the hammer or ball may be
adjusted above within a few inches of the bell.
With such an arrangement one person may easily
do all the work ; the hammers must be relieved
from the bells when he has finished, otherwise the
bells cannot be rung if required. In this way the
chiming is done at Bitton ; and by this simple
method,
“To call the folk to church in time,
One little boy six bells can chime :”
indeed, any number might thus be chimed. There
is also this advantage, which will be duly appre-
ciated by some, that the ropes hang down to the
floor of the church.t
* See Improved Moveable Lever, p. 32.
f These hammers offer a great temptation to the playing of
tunes, which are objectionable for services, but for a funeral
this ancient chime, adapted from the Lady Bells at Lincoln, is
very effective:–
To be continued until the Minister enters the church porch.
1 3 1 2 4 — 1 5 l 2 6
O Lord, have mer - cy — mer - Cy we pray Thee.
I I
By the other method, with outside hammers, the
finest chimes, on the heaviest ring of ten bells in
the kingdom, daily pour forth their deep-sounding
solemn musical notes at ten and three at the Cathe-
dral of Exeter;" but there, the weight of the bells
requiring heavy falling hammers, additional levers
are used below, like the keys of a pianoforte.t
Much in the same way, the celebrated Carillons
on thirty-three bells at Antwerp, and other Belgic
towns, are worked.
In an interesting pamphlet, on “The Use and
Abuse of Church Bells,” (Masters, 1846), the au-
thor has laid down rules and suggestions which
he most judiciously advises none of his brethren to
“act upon, until he can himself realize the Church
system upon which they are grounded.” But,
even when the minister may have happily adopted
such views, he would find it most painful and
* “How many a tale their music tells,
Of youth, and home, and that sweet time
When first we heard their soothing chime.”
“Oh, wondrous power of modulated sound !
Which, like the air (whose all obedient shape
Thou mak’st thy slave), can subtilely pervade
The yielded avenues of sense, unlock
The close affections, by some fairy path
Winning an easy way through ev'ry ear,
And with thine unsubstantial quality
Holding in mighty chains the hearts of all ;
All, but some cold and sullen temper’d spirits,
Who feel no touch of sympathy or love.”
f These have since been altered, and inside hammers intro-
duced.
C
I 2
difficult to attempt to introduce, and maintain,
such a belfry system : where for years, perhaps, the
ringers have had their own way : and the parish-
ioners are attached to the familiar sound of their
musical bells, rung out on every occasion of village
rejoicing. Where, however, it can be taken up
“ut res integra, et in parochia quasi nová,” there
can be no doubt, that with some slight alterations,
which the practical part of ringing requires, the
system laid down would be beautifully in keeping
with all that a true English Churchman can desire,
supposing an endowment fund can be raised, and
permanently secured. It would be most gratifying
to see such a system well established. But,
“Sincerum est nisi vas, quodcunque infundis aces.cit.”
So, unless you begin de novo, by raising up a body
of men well-grounded and instructed in the Church
system, it would all be unintelligible and hopeless.
But accomplish that, and then let the ropes hang
down to the very pavement of the church ; for it
may be hoped that all would be conducted as de-
corously almost as the ministrations in the chancel.
I have ventured to say that some alterations are
required in the suggestions proposed in the pamphlet
alluded to. Perhaps they would have been more
intelligible, if the author had given a definition, or
explained what he understands by a pea/.” He
* It is often asked, “IV/af is a peal 2" and it seems strange
that there should be any difficulty in answering the question.
The term is generally applied to any ringing of bells together—-
no matter whether of ten minutes' or ten hours' duration. Bells
I3
proposes one peal to be “a quarter of an hour; ”
whereas it is well known that some heavy bells
cannot be raised and ceased (“falled ”) in that
time ; nay, some heavy bells never can be raised
in peal, but are raised singly : á fortiori, a “five
minutes' peal” would be still more difficult. Bells
may be chimed so long, but they cannot be raised
and rung; it is quite impossible to have such a
peal “after a burial.”
It can hardly be expected that any ringers
would think it worth while to meet to practise only
are first raised, either singly or in peal (that is, in ringing order);
they may then be set or not, as the ringers please, or rung in
changes, or round ringing, or muffled, and then ceased by setting
or falling, and then would end a peal in common parlance, and
in places where there are only three or four bells, and scientific
change-ringing is not known. Such was the meaning in pre-
Reformation times, as may be seen by an extract from the Zives
of the Berkeleys—a MS. consisting of three volumes, folio, in the
possession of the College of Arms—an account of which may be
seen in the fifth volume of AVotes and Queries, p. 616, first series.
On the death of Lady Isabel, wife of Lord Maurice Berkeley,
who died in 1516 at Coventry, the following ringing took place :
—“Rynging daily with all the Bells continually : that is to say,
at St. Michael's xxxiii peles, at Trinitie xxxiii peles, at St. John's
xxxiii peles, at Babyleak, because it was so nigh, lvij peles, and in
the Mother Church xxx peles, and every pele xii".”
But since the introduction of scientific change-ringing on the
principle of permutations, early in the last century, the term is
known and used as a performance of the full number of changes
of which the bells are capable, or any number above 5,ooo; any
portion of changes under that number, with seven or more bells,
is called either a short or long touch ; in some places a piece of
ringing, by others a flourish on the bells, &c.
C”
I4
for a “quarter or half an hour ; ” it would be
almost useless : and a five minutes' peal at mid-
night would be unintelligible—almost as much so
as what is meant by the phrase, a “solemn cheerful
peal.”
I trust the author will excuse these few remarks
on his suggestions : they are not made with any
spirit of jealous opposition—far from it; I feel
assured that we have each the same object in
view—an improvement in the belfry. I would
even thank him for the lead he has taken ; but we
are not yet, in my humble opinion, sufficiently
advanced in Church discipline and intelligence to
adopt a uniformity of use in this matter. The
circumstances of parishes vary so much, that the
clergyman of each must act accordingly ; but if he
will turn his attention to the subject—and it really
is one of serious consequence to the morals of his
parish, as well as to the credit of the Church—and
be guided by those circumstances, and act tem-
perately and judiciously, he will soon make some
progress towards an improvement: his example will
be followed by others; and in this way we may
hope to see our belfries well ordered, and our
ringers and their households among the best-con-
ducted in the parish.
To quote from the writings of one of acknow-
ledged judgment in practical matters—
“In places where the right persons have given up
uſe custody of the keys, much irregularity has been
the consequence ; and when the power has long
I 5
been used by others, without any attempt at
restraint, much consideration, and gentle expla–
nation, will in all fairness be due, before this power
is taken away. Frequently, however, a little good
advice, given in a Christian-like, friendly manner,
will produce amendment.”
It must be remembered, that the evils to be
contended with are not of yesterday, but are deeply
rooted, having been the growth of years, originating
perhaps soon after the superstitious use of bells,
and the rigid discipline of the Church of Rome,
ceased : they have since crept in with other abuses.
and irregularities which from that time have un-
happily prevailed in our Church. Certainly they
are as old as the depraved age of Charles the
Second. For, whereas before that period half or
three quarter wheels only were in use (as is the
case at present in parts of Dorsetshire, Devon, &c.),
an “improvement in the art of bell-hanging” was,
about that time, effected by the introduction of
“round wheels" (see “Campanalogia ; or, the Art
of Ringing Improved,” London, 1677, p. 44); the
effect of which was, that peals of changes could
be rung more regularly and easily, the bells being
rendered manageable at every pull. Thus, “the
mysteries of bell-ringing” became a fashion, and so
the evil seems to have originated ; for the idle,
drunken habits of ringers are alluded to in some
excellent “Advice to a Ringer,” with which a
* Cottager's Visitor, vol. iii, page 54.
I6
section on ringing closes, in a little work published
in the year 1684, called the “School of Recreation;
or, Gentleman's Tutor.” As the whole passage
seems to bear so well on the subject before me,
and as it contains a short account of the first
introduction of bells, it will not perhaps be out of
place, nor be digressing too much, to introduce it
here as a suitable conclusion.
“When God, in Israel's exodus out of Egypt,
commanded Moses to consecrate Aaron and his
sons, and invest them with those pontifical vest-
ments according to the pattern God had cut out, it
is observable, that the robe of the Ephod was, with a
particular circumstance of beauty, to be adorned by
hanging the hem of it with golden bells* and pome-
granates, each placed in an orderly position, one by
another, round. This was the first institution we
can read of for the use of bells in sacred offices ;
but the reason was this : Because in Aaron's
ministrations before God, when he entered into the
Holy Place, and when he came out, the sound of
the bells might be heard in the temple for a
memorial to the children of his people. This use
of bells continues in the Aaronical order of this day.
From hence the Christian Church likewise (of
which the Church under the Mosaic dispensation
was but a type) has made use of bells for the
notifying the time when the people are to assemble,
and made a signal for convocating them together
* Exod, xxviii, 33.
17
to the temple; and herein differing from the
Mahometans, in the steeples of whose temples
are never found any bells, but criers—persons
who, with a loud voice, call them to prayers.
“Now, then, let us make this use of the insti-
tution of bells : First; let not only the musick and
delight the bells give thee invite thee to come to
the temple to be a partaker of that pleasure they
may afford thy body, but let their musick invite
thee to come thither when they call thee, to
exercise thy soul in devotion, to God. Do not let
thy frequent coming thither on week-days for thy
diversion make thee absent thyself on Sundays from
thy devotion ; but let their original use make thee
mindful of the Sanctum Sanctorum, the Most Holy
Place. Do not let the Sunday morning's peal
engage thy presence then, and the alehouse have
thy company afterwards. Be as quick in hearing
the chiming for prayers, as thou art in the notes for
pleasure.
‘Whene'er the Old Exchange of profit rings
Her silver Saint’s-bell; of uncertain gains;
Thy merchant-soul can stretch both legs and wings:
How Canst thou run, and take unwearied pains.’
“And should'st thou not be as nimble when the
Saint's-bell of the church sounds in thy ears, and
calls thee to attend the priest, who now signifies his
entrance into the Holy Place, and invites too to
joyn with him in the sacrifice of prayers and
praises 2
“Secondly; nor let the bells be made thy lullaby,
I8
to drown some dissatisfaction, and so make thee
repair to the belfree (like the nurse to her whistle-
bells) to quiet thy disturbed mind, and thus (as the
divine poet" excellently expresses it) to silence it
with
‘Look, look, what's here. A dainty golden thing?
See how the dancing bells turn round, and ring
To please my bantling ! Here's a knack will breed
An hundred kisses; here's a knack indeed,’ &c. ;
but let the altar have thy presence in com-
munion with God, in prayers for his grace, and
patience to support any calamity that may fall upon
thee.
“Lastly ; let the bells put you in mind to con-
template on death ; and, every time you ring, think
how long it may be ere one of these may be your
turn to have to sound
The nine sad knolls of a dull passing-bell,
With the loud language of a mighty knell.’
“This, in short, is the use the ringer ought to
make of this his recreation, which, if he makes duly
and rightly, he may then lawfully enjoy all the
benefit he can desire from it.”
* Quarles’ Emblems, book ii, viii.
19
ST, MARY'S CHURCH, BITTON.
RULES FOR THE RINGERS.
We, the undersigned company of Ringers of the parish of
Bitton, by and with the consent and approbation of our
Vicar and Churchwardens, have agreed to the following
rules and resolutions : namely,
FIRST, and chief of all,——We resolve to be a respectable
body of men, as well as good Ringers; and to give no
Occasion, by our conduct, to any person to speak against
us, nor to bring a disgrace on the church in which we are
connected officials. Neither will we desire to take into our
company any who are of low life and character—idle,
drunken fellows, and sabbath-breakers; for we acknowledge
that the belfry is part of the church, and that the Ringers,
being officers of the church, should bear a good character:
and this is what we will endeavour to promote.
II. We agree to have a Treasurer, who shall hold our
moneys till the end of the year, and the same person shall
be the foreman of our company; and he is to see that these
rules are observed, and the forfeits hereafter mentioned put
in force, and deducted out of the moneys given to us; and
they are to be regularly entered in a book to be kept by
him, and divided equally among the Ringers at the end of
the year. And if our treasurer and foreman does not do
this, the majority of us shall elect another.
2O
III. We now agree that G. B. shall be our treasurer and
foreman.
IV. When the bells are to be rung for a marriage, or any
other special occasion, the foreman shall give notice thereof
to the Ringers.
V. Every Ringer who shall not attend at all on such
occasions shall have no share of what is given, and shall
also forfeit one shilling: unless he be prevented by sickness,
sufficient to disable him from working (provided timely
notice has been given); every Ringer so ab ent shall be
entitled to half a share. And every Ringer, having had
notice, is to be at the tower by the time the bells are raised
up, or forfeit sixpence. And if he does not remain till the
ringing is all over he is to forfeit his whole share; unless
the majority present give him leave to go off.
VI. When there is ringing more than once on the same
day, if any Ringer does not attend at each time, he is not
to have his full share ; but only a part, in proportion to his
attendance.
VII. If any Ringer cannot attend himself, he shall be at
liberty to provide a substitute, provided he be fitand able
to take his place, and of good moral character. And any
Ringer employing such substitute shall be liable to all
forfeits, as if he were there himself.
VIII. Any Ringer, who absents himself from the tower
three months, without providing a proper substitute, shall
be considered to have left the company ; but he shall be
entitled to a share of our moneys up to the time he left off
coming.
2 I
IX. No person shall be considered a Ringer qualified to
share any of the moneys given to us, until he is able to
raise and fall his bell in proper time and place, and ring one
peal of changes. And before any person is taken into our
company, his name shall be given to the Minister and
Church-wardens: and if he is approved by them, he shall
pay to our fund two shillings and sixpence, as entrance
money; after which we will endeavour to teach him.
X. That, for practising, we agree to meet every Saturday
evening throughout the year—at half-past six o'clock in
the winter, and at half-past seven in the summer ; ex-
Cepting when any person, (man, woman, or child— rich or
poor) is lying dead, between Upton Lane and Westover—
or near the church—when the bells, out of respect to the
feelings of the friends of the deceased, should be silent.
And also during Lent—that is, from Ash Wednesday to
Easter; but we will meet on the evening of Shrove Tuesday
instead of the Saturday in that week.
XI. If any Ringer comes fifteen minutes after the time,
or is absent —unless through sickness—or leaves the belfry
before the bells are down (unless the other Ringers consent
to his going off)—he shall forfeit threepence.
XII. If by mutual agreement we meet on any other
evening of a working day, for practising, the same rule is to
hold good.
XIII. That, for ten shillings given for a wedding, we
agree to ring one hour ; unless it should happen on a
Sunday morning, and there is not time before the ten
o'clock service bell. For twenty shillings given, we will
ring one hour after the wedding, and one hour in the
evening : and, if any more is given, we agree to ring but
one hour more, about the middle of the day.
22
XIV. After the funeral of any one of our body, we agree
to ring a muffled peal without any pay. And after the
funeral of any good Christian, in the full Communion of the
Church, we agree to ring a muffled peal when requested by
the relatives through the Minister. And when the parties
are unable to give anything, it shall be freely done by us
as a work of Christian love and charity.
XV. If any Ringer refuse to ring on account of the small
amount of the money given at a wedding, or by benefit
clubs, at Whitsuntide, or on any other special occasion—
provided it be not less than ten shillings—he shall forfeit
One shilling : and if, for want of him, the six bells cannot
be rung, he shall forfeit all that would have been given to
the company.
XVI. We agree not to commit any damage to the belfry
or tower, to the ropes or bells, nor to suffer any to be done.
If any of us is wilfully guilty of it, he shall pay for it out
of his share, or leave the company, and be reported by the
foreman to the Churchwardens.
XVII. The Ringer who fetches the keys of the tower
from the vicarage is to be answerable for taking them back.
XVIII The Bells are not to be rung improperly, nor in
any other way than the usual mode of ringings (except in
cases of fire, which God prevent); nor are the bells to be
fired or clashed—excepting on the 5th of November, twelve
rounds in the evening.
XIX. There is to be no ringing on Sundays, for any
person or thing—excepting for a wedding, if there is time
before ten o'clock; and on the Sunday mornings stated in
the next rule.
23
XX. The ringing days are the Queen's birthday, and the
5th of November, morning and evening. If those days fall
on a Sunday, then the ringing is to be done on the Monday
following ; for which the Church-wardens pay twelve
shillings each day, and twelve shillings when the Bishop
comes. Also before eight o'clock on the mornings of
Christmas Day, Easter Day, Ascension Day or Holy
Thursday,+and Whitsunday, being specially to do honour
to our blessed Lord and Saviour, Old Year's eve, and
New Year's morning. For these last occasions we trust to
the generosity of the parishioners, to give us what New
Year's gift they please. All which our foreman shall enter
in a book, which any subscriber to the fund may see.
XXI. As a body, we agree not to spend our moneys in
drinking; but every Ringer, having received his share, shall
be at liberty to do with it what he pleases. And if any
member of our company reproaches another member for
refusing to join and spend all together, he shall forfeit one
shilling.
XXII. If any disputes or misunderstandings arise among
the Ringers (which God forbid), they may be referred to
the Minister and Churchwardens; and, if so, we agree to
abide by their decision.
XXIII. And in order to promote our own respectability
and to secure the gift of thirty shillings offered to us by
some unknown friend through the Vicar—added to his own
New Year's gift of ten shillings—making together forty
shillings for the six, seven, or eight oldest members of our
company who live in the parish, and not more than one
mile from the church ; we agree, that on Christmas Day,
Easter Day, and Whitsunday, when there is early morning
24
ringing, and sometimes between nine and ten on a Sunday
morning for a wedding—on all those days, six of us at
least, and all if possible, shall be particularly careful to
attend the services of the Church, and in proper time ; and
that whoever is absent, or comes in late, shall forfeit, of his
share of the said forty shillings, half-a-crown.
XXIV. That if either of us should disgrace himself by
being drunk on a ringing day, or in the belfry, he shall
forfeit half-a-crown ; and also be in danger of being turned
out of our company, if the other Ringers, or the Minister
and Churchwardens, think fit to do so.
XXV. That if any Ringer of the said number is guilty
of fighting, quarrelling, swearing, drinking, or smoking in
the belfry, he shall forfeit one shilling. We know that we
have our own houses to eat and drink in, and our own fire-
sides where we can sit down and smoke. “There is a time
and place for all things.”
XXVI. None but the Ringers, or their substitutes, should
handle the bells. And the foreman is not to allow any
“idle-cornered youths" of the place to be with the com-
pany of Ringers in the belfry. The foreman also is to be
responsible for the conduct of the company in the belfry,
and to report to the Minister any ill conduct of any member
which comes to his knowledge ; and also if any damage is
done.
XXVII. No evening ringing is to begin after eight
o'clock, nor to be continued later than nine; excepting on
the evening of the old year—or forfeit sixpence each Ringer.
XXVIII. The use of the bells is to be confined strictly
25
to ecclesiastical purposes, as they were always intended to
be: that is, they are not to be rung for any political matters,
such as elections; nor lawsuits, or trials, and such like; nor
for any clandestine or runaway marriages, nor marriages
elsewhere than at the church; nor for prizes; nor to be fired
or clashed, excepting twelve rounds on the 5th of November
evening ; if they are, the whole of the thirty shillings will
be with/ield: nor for any unusual special purpose, without
first obtaining the consent of the Minister and one Church-
warden, which the foreman is to do BEFORE he gives any
notice to the Ringers.
NOTE.-All these latter forfeits will be kept back from
the said forty shillings, and will not be divided among
the other Ringers, but will be given to some other
purpose. If these rules are found to answer, after a
trial of two years, from New Year's day, 1848, the
thirty shillings now offered will probably be doubled ;
at least the Vicar promises to use his influence to get it.
XXIX. And now, lastly, we agree to endeavour as much
as in us lies, to be good Christians at all times, and regular
attendants at the services of the Church, either at Bitton or
Oldland ; not to break the Sabbath, for our own happiness
here and hereafter. And we must acknowledge, that if we
can attend to ring for the sake of getting a trifle, or to save
a forfeit, or for Our pleasure, it is certainly a discredit to us
not to attend to worship the Lord God Almighty for the
good of our own souls, Who has redeemed us through
Christ from eternal death. Witness our hands:
(Signed) M. H. G. B.
I. B. W. B
T. B. R. H.
G. W. S. P.
26
We, the Vicar and Churchwardens of Bitton, subscribe
our names, as approving the annexed regulations for the
conduct of the Ringers; and when any person wishes to
become a member of the company, he will be expected to
promise to conform to them by subscribing his name,
agreeably to a resolution of a full Vestry Meeting held at
Bitton, 1799; when rules of the same meaning, though
worded rather differently, were drawn up and signed by the
Ringers of that time. And the Churchwardens were then
instructed to see that there should not be more than one
Company.
(Signed) H. T. E., Vicar.
Jan. 1848 Wºº }Churchwardens.
ONE WORD OF ADVICE.
Ringers, remember this— that nothing can keep you
together, but sobriety of character, and harmony among
yourselves. Without these you will be like a rope of sand,
doomed to drop to pieces, and leave your cheerful Tower
in sullen silence.
C H I M I N G :
A N A P P E N DI X.
29
C H I M I N G .
I HAVE had the pleasure of receiving so many letters
from clergymen and laymen in different parts of the
kingdom, for a fuller and more detailed explanation
of my method of chiming, that it is supposed this
brochure of mine will be more generally serviceable,
if I show in a cut the principle of this simple con-
trivance, which, without vanity, but in justice to
myself, I claim as my own. Any ingenious village
workman can set it up, but he must vary the form
of the levers, and the position of the pulleys, just
as a house bell-hanger would vary the cranks ac-
cording to circumstances.
Referring to page II of “Remarks,” and the
Plate vii annexed, the iron balls (I) should vary in
size from 3% in. to 5% in. diameter, and by drilling
an inch hole, at the point which strikes the bell, a
plug of wood may be driven in, and so a more
mellow sound will be produced. And if a piece of
leather, or felt, be added to the wood, the effect is
that of a muffle ; and, for funerals, an extra set of
gear may be set up, so as to strike on another point
of the sound bow. It is always better to make these
chime-hammers strike anywhere but where the
clapper strikes, a little to the right or left as it can
D”
3O
be managed. The spindles, or axes (rollers as the
organ builder calls them), may require to be varied
in length, but generally six inches will do, and these
ought to work very freely in the cheeks or holes (2).
A well-fitted rule-joint, which a good workman
might suggest, would be objectionable and more
costly, because it would require more frequent
oiling, and, being exposed to the damp of the bell
chamber, might soon get set fast from rust ; but all
the pulleys should be well made, and so mounted
in a carriage that they may be easily taken in and
out. The pins should be turned and fitted with a
key, or nut and screw. Three pulleys to each bell
will be generally sufficient (perhaps two may be
enough for the bell just over the stand), one imme-
diately under the end of the lever, fixed (with coach
screws, as best it may be) to the under side of the
bell chamber floor (6), and in a direction to lead
the line to the pulley (7)” which plumbs above the
stand or floor, where a nest of pulleys (8) is fixed
about six feet from the stand. The upper pulleys
may be of cast iron, four inches diameter; they
should be bushed with brass and fitted up in carriages,
each one adapted to its place and required angle.
“Side pulleys" are not good, nor “sash pulleys.”
The lower pulleys, which are to be fitted in a
nest (8), should be of hard wood, and brass bushed,
that they may make no noise.
* Each of these pulleys requires to be fixed at a different angle,
according to the position of the end of the lever s.
3 I
This explanation, in addition to what may be seen
at page 9 of “Remarks,” and by referring to the
accompanying illustrations, will probably be suffi-
ciently clear to enable any person to complete the
whole. In some places it may be necessary to fix
pieces of quarter timber to the bell cage, for sup-
porting the cheeks (2) in which the levers work, as
the floor may be too much below the bells.
By this contrivance, the bells are always ready
to be chimed, and it may be done by man, woman,
or child, or even by the clergyman himself; neither
is there anything to interfere with the ringing of the
bells, provided the lines are untied, to allow the
hammers to fall down at rest (+). The tones are
brought out with a soft, mellow sound, and all the
harmonies are clearly generated, for nothing lies
against the side of the bell, the hammer falling away
at once by its own weight. The wear and tear of
the whole gear is very trifling, and with care will
last for years. When at rest (4), the hammers lie
on the floor, or on a blocking under the bells. For
chiming, each line is to be pulled down, so as to
raise the hammer within six or eight inches of the
bell, and then it must be tied to the bar (Plate vii,
9), with a double half hitch in a bow; when ceased,
the knots are to be unslipt.
Excepting where the bells are very light, it has
been found advisable that the bar should not be
fixed, as represented in former editions, but so con-
trived that it may be raised or lowered as circum-
stance may require. In this way, as here repre-
32
sented, all the hammers may be brought into gear
at once, and also all may be thrown off at once.
Instead of the staff, a roller, with wynch and rachet
is still better for very heavy bells.
9. Fixed shelf
through which the
cords are passed.
-
|
.
ſ
º:
º
&
º
#4.
|
S
g%3
tº.
f % f * W
ro. A lever staff A
to which the cords | A / W.
are tied and by | A
which all the ham- | | %
mers are lifted into § { A § {
working position & * { | 4 ||
let off when done. A A # 4
A=4–4–4–4–4–
4 : ſ º & W.
ºft #3 Gil 8
% ſº º
º g ſ [2 º f
º º º % g %
A * A A M
af º º º f º
W\ % A M A ; }
\ | * { } { } {
| A 9. ſ 4 * 4
| | * @ 4 || || 3
}=}=-&#2-#2-4-4-4 :
2=- Zºº ºf tº ºf 'º ſº &
| 2 - - ſy 9
||||}| . . \ | ſ
| | 3. ; ; , N wº
|||| % º ż º
| | A 4 A ſ
º ſ * A : º º
Miſſ % º ż ż - ſ
| A # 4 %
ſ º º º N º
§43&# NR º
§ass=$$ §
Ǻ
- §: §§§ Eſſº- }
ſ A * Iſiſſi | º
º # W | IO
* . j
# / )/ ſº
ºf A //// Waſ
A patent for “Ringing Bells by Machinery" has
lately been taken out by Mr. Jones, of Pendleton,
the particulars of which may be obtained at the
patent office for a few pence. It is a contrivance
for chiming, not for ringing. The following is ex-
tracted from my remarks in the “Builder,” Oct. 2,
1858 —
“Notwithstanding the daily marvels produced by
science, I do not believe a peal of bells will ever be
raised, rung, changed and ceased, by any machinery.
Ringing always implies that bells are swung ; and
it is only by that swinging that the grand full tone
of a bell can be brought out.


33
“Mr. Jones's machine may be very ingenious ;
but be that as it may, there has been in use at
Ottery St. Mary, for many years beyond memory,
an arrangement of outside hammers, connected with
wires, and cranks, and levers, and a barrel fitted
with lifters like a chime-barrel; and by turning a
handle a person very easily chimes all the bells.
“About forty years ago, I set up a contrivance at
Bitton, with hammers striking inside, and levers,
lines, and pulleys, all brought to a given point on
the floor. This arrangement is very simple, and
not liable to get out of order : it has been in
constant use. All dependence on a set of ringers
is got rid of, and soft and subdued harmony is
produced ; and the arrangement in no way inter-
feres with the swinging of the bells, for ringing
either singly or in peal.”
Since these “Remarks,” to which I now add this
Appendix, were published, my station in the Lord's
vineyard has been changed from Bitton, county of
Gloucester, to Clyst St. George, county of Devon ;
but it may be satisfactory to state that the rules for
the ringers still work well there. They would not
be applicable everywhere, and were not required
here. Wherever such rules are introduced they
should be as short and simple as possible ; but one
thing I recommend most forcibly, wherever it can
be managed, viz., that “one way to reform the
belfry is to bring the ringers down, ad pavimentum,
and in conspectu ecclesiae,” and then, whatever
evil work may have been carried on heretofore
34
upstairs, and out of sight, will soon disappear.
There may be many difficulties and obstacles in
the way of making such an arrangement, both
practically as well as socially ; but it is worth a
clergyman's while to take the whole cost of it upon
himself, if that should be a matter of contention ;
it has been done here, though the road for the ropes
was rather crooked, and the length of “the pull"
greatly increased ; however, the ringing is managed
very easily, and with more comfort than when the
ringers were nearer to the bells.
There has also been set up here my contrivance
for chiming. It is true we have but three bells,
but now they are never jangled as heretofore—
but evenly and regularly speak out their simple
original music as the service hours return—and
sometimes it is done by a child not eight years old.”
It is nearly ten years ago that the foregoing
“Remarks” were published, and since that time,
it may be hoped that an interest about bells has
very much increased, and that many are turning
their attention to a reform in the belfry ; with this
object in view, perhaps I cannot do better than
second the advice given by the Rev. Mr. Lukis,
in his “Book on Bells,” viz., “that the clergyman
himself (but I would add, as an amendment, if he
* Since the publication of the above in 1861 the three bells at
Clyst St. George have been augmented to six; and the ropes,
which fall to the pavement, do not at all interrupt the view of
our fine “Doom window,” by Hardman, in the west.—Whitsun-
tide, 1871.
35
be strong and healthy) become a ringer, and take
his place in the belfry.” He will, probably, be able
to do this more comfortably and effectively with a
young set, meeting them for the love of the thing,
and so try to raise the tone and caste of the ringers,
and induce his respectable inhabitants to join, not
for filthy lucre sake, but for the honour and pleasure
of ringing. The old hands, if they be not incor-
rigibly bad, may be left to ring all the peals for
money's sake, which is, probably, the root of all
the evil which so shamefully exists in many of
our belfries.
And here I would quote a letter lately addressed
to me by one of the middle class—a person well
experienced in the art and mystery of ringing, and
who often takes part in a peal of grandsire triples
which lasts from two to three hours.” “The public
seem to think that ringing is extremely laborious
work, and that the beer-can is a necessary append-
age : but if they understood the art of variation,
they would then enjoy the exertion as we do. It
is a pity that this noble art should be so little
understood by the more enlightened upper classes.
How delightful it would be to see a body of
gentlemen take to the ringing of the bells of their
parish church, learning the art thoroughly. I am
convinced it only wants a start, and then we should
have in the Church, among the congregation, those
who resort to the steeple, and shut out the low
characters who now infest the belfries.”
* The late Mr. Joseph Robinson of Woolwich, 6 Dec., 1858.
36
Another most respectable ringer in the midland
counties writes thus:* “No music can be compared
with bells in full swing—no recreation so manly,
amusing, and skilful as the ringing of them. I wish
the science were made indispensable among the
qualifications of a clergyman, who has, or ought to
have the command of both bells and ringers ; then
we might hope for a reformation in ringers and an
advancement of the science, but till then, I fear,
all attempts will be troublesome if not futile.”
And surely there is good reason for this, when
the fact is so patent, that the ringers are seldom to
be seen at church ; and in the metropolis, there are
not twenty, of all who ring in the fifty to sixty
steeples, who attend the services of the sanctuary.
After saying thus much by way of encouraging
ringing, it may seem strange to say a word against
the ingenious science of change ringing : but as I
have stated in my “Remarks” (page I 5), that the
evils probably came in with the invention of whoſe
or round wheels, by means of which bells were
manageable at every pull, and could be rung high,
and changed, and set ad /übitum, and the well-to-do
merry-men of a parish joining in this new recreation,
they easily raised money enough to increase the
original simple rings of three to six or eight, and so
insteased the number of their fraternity; and in
proportion, the evils which we now deplore were
enlarged; and that is not all: for having managed
to add to the number of a ring, whether a tower
* Mr. John Wm. Taylor of Loughborough, 8 June, 1859.
37
was built for such an increased number or not,
they would call in the help of some ingenious and
interested mechanic, and get him to squeeze in the
extra bells by erecting additional framework—
sometimes upon the original cage—which being
raised with long timbers, it became almost im-
possible to brace the whole properly, so as to
make the extra woodwork stiff enough to bear the
swing of the additional heavy metal; and therefore,
in order to keep the cage steady, wedge after wedge
would be driven between the timbers and the walls
of the tower; and hence the irreparable damage
done to many a beautiful building ; which, if not
remedied in time, must eventually bring down, if
not the whole tower, the whole superstructure.*
The ringing in olden times could never act with
such battering-ram violence ; because, with the
half-wheels (Plate ii), the bells were not raised to a
set pull, but rung a little above stock level, and
kept there a certain time, and then ceased ; and so
the ringing would be continued, and each time of
its repetition was called a pea/.t
Then they did not set the bells, for there was no
sally : the ringer held the rope by its end ; and in
those early days, when the priests themselves were
the ringers, there were rings of brass, sometimes of
silver, at the end for the hands.-Fosbrooke Monac.,
p. 289.
And this explanation of a peal may be an answer
to what has been advanced ; that there are not
* See page 46. f See Note, p. 12.
38
bells enough in some parishes to ring what the 67th
Canon directs, viz.: “At the death of a person,
one short peal, and one before and one after the
burial.” The ringing, even of a single bell for any
length of time, would be called a peal, and so it is
now termed, particularly in Scotland, where single
bells prevail.
And here I would repeat a caution contained in
my Paper on Bells, read before the Bristol Archi-
tectural Society, Io December, 1849, with the
Practical Remarks now republished.
“It may not be amiss to say a few words about
the belfry—by which is generally meant that part of
a church tower or steeple in which the bells are
hung, but it also means the place upon which the
ringers stand to ring. The place for the bells is
properly called the bell-chamber or loft, in which
the timbers are framed together and constructed
into what is commonly called the “cage.'
“It is of the greatest consequence that the tim-
bers should take their bearing independent of the
masonry, that is, not fixed into it.*
“If, in the course of years, as will be the case,
the frame should vibrate or get ricketty, it should
not be made steady by putting wedges between the
beam ends and the walls, as is commonly done
by inexperienced workmen, but it may be easily
stiffened by driving hard oak or iron wedges in at
the backs of the tenons of the braces in the
mortices in the sill pieces ; and, if the timbers
* See Postscript.
39
have shrunk away from the shoulders of the tenons,
then drive out the old pins, and bolt the upper
timbers down to the beams below.
“The timbers should always be laid on wooden
plates, the whole resting either on stone corbels, or
on a set-off formed in the wall. It is not the
downward pressure from the weight of metal, but
the lateral pressure or vibration caused by the
motion of the bells, which does the mischief, es-
pecially if any of the timbers are let into the walls
or touch them laterally. To avoid this, a well-
constructed cage is trussed and braced diagonally
with most substantial timbers ; the weight of the
whole, if properly rested on corbels or set-offs,
keeps it steady. The higher the bells are placed in
the tower, the more does the vibration caused by
ringing them affect the masonry.”
Of late years, a growing feeling has most happily
prevailed with regard to the organ and our parochial
psalmody and Church services ; and, having lived to
test the value of music in our parishes and schools,
I would ask—Why may not something be done in
the same way with the music of the bells Mr.
Lukis, in his book (p. 49), suggests “a religious
fraternity;” and I would beg leave to commend
specially to the notice of my younger brethren, the
clergy, the result of his experiences in his parish.
“The experience I have here has convinced me,
that it is utterly futile to attempt to reform the
ringers, or to maintain the respectable character of
the ringers, without a regular personal attendance in
4O
the belfry. But it is the same in that as in every-
thing else undertaken in a parish ; there can be no
success without trouble and perseverance; and who
should grudge his time and trouble in any matter
that concerns the well-being of the parishioners ?
People may, perhaps, smile at the idea of a clergy-
man making a point of entering the belfry with his
ringers, but they may depend upon it that much
real good may be effected by his so doing.” If the
society recommended by Mr. Lukis is to be “a
religious fraternity,” we must adopt the usages of
by-gone days, thus described by Dr. Rock, in 77te
Church of our Fathers, on the subject of Guilds
(vol. ii, p. 395) –“ Mutual help with regard to this
world and the next, this life's present welfare, and
the soul's happiness hereafter, was the bond which
linked the Anglo-Saxon layman with his fellow
laymen in these holy companionships.”
It has been supposed that these guilds very
nearly resembled modern clubs and benefit socie-
ties. Every one has heard of societies of ringers,
viz., College Youths, Cumberland Youths, &c. In
the library of All Souls' College, Oxford, is a
manuscript of the order of a company of ringers
called the “Scholars of Cheapside,” dated 16O2.
The probability is that these associations are relics
of the ancient guilds ; for as early as the time of
Edward the Confessor there was in Westminster
a guild of ringers. They are recognised by
Henry III, as appears by a patent roll in the 39th
41
of his reign, dated the 6th of March, which may be
freely translated thus:–
“Know all men, that we have granted to our
Brethren of the Guild of Westminster, who are
appointed to ring the great bells there, that they
and their successors shall receive annually out of
our exchequer Ioo shillings, fifty at Easter, and
fifty at Michaelmas, until we provide the like sum
for them payable out of lands for the said ringing.
And that the brethren and their successors for ever
enjoy all the privileges and free customs, which
they have enjoyed from the time of Edward the
Confessor, to the date of these presents.”
To render this pamphlet more useful to those
who may be pleased to consult it, I have added the
five plates which were annexed to my Paper on
Bells, published in the report of the Bristol
Architectural Society, 1850, the whole of which
were lent to Mr. Lukis to illustrate his book.
The 1st is copied from a bell in Mersennus de
Aarmonicis, folio, I648,-translating his Latin
terms. I do not remember to have seen any bell in
England furnished with a clapper of the form
represented. The tail, commonly called the
“ſlight,” is so short, that the probability is that such
a clapper would “rear " in peal ringing as is now
practised in England. The way to cure a clapper
of rearing, or doubling its blow, is to lengthen the
flight; but this must be done with great caution,
or the result may be fatal to the bell.
42
And here I would give another caution. The
sexton, or whoever may be employed to chime, is
apt to “clock the bells,” that is, to hitch the rope
round the flight of the clapper to facilitate his work
below ; in this way the clapper is pulled athwart
the ground truck, the rope gets chafed, and the
clapper is damaged in the crown staple ; but what
is worse, some how or other the bells get “slat.”
This occurred at Canterbury a few years ago, when
the cathedral being under repair, the bells were not
rung out ; but to make a joyous sound on festival
occasions the bells were “clocked,” or clappered,
and in this way two of them were broken and had
to be recast. Sir E. Beckett, in his clever lecture
on Church Building (p. 27 1), has given good advice
on this very point : “Whenever bells are occa-
sionally clappered, care should be taken to put
some separate pulleys in front of the middle of
each bell, with a separate and thinner rope to the
clapper, and so arranged that the ringer cannot
hold it against the bell, for I believe more bells are
cracked by tying the ropes to the clapper than by
all other means whatever.”
The 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th plates explain them-
selves.
The 6th is kindly lent by Messrs. Warner. It
represents a bell “tucked up" in the stock. This
tucking up varies, according to the size and weight
of a bell ; in small bells it is not required, and is
among the “secrets” of bell hanging, as upon it
depends the striking of the clapper in proper time,
43
and the rising of the bell in due course. Here is
also shown the slider for the stay working on a
sweep piece, which is an improvement.”
The other plate illustrates my contrivance for
chiming.
It often happens that in the course of years, the
constant battering of the heavy clapper in one
place, makes a pit on the sound bow ; the bell is
no doubt weakened, and the sound may be affected.
The usual mode of cure is to turn the be//, or
quarter it, so that the clapper may strike on
another place ; this obliges the insertion of a new
crown-staple, or altering the hanging of the clapper
which every bell-hanger knows how to do.
With a view of obviating the supposed difficulty
of this operation (which after all is very trifling in
in the hands of a good workman), a plan has been
proposed by Sir Edward Beckett and Mr. Baker,
by which a bell may be shifted round less than a
quarter. It is very doubtful whether the mode
proposed would not in practice require more hands
than the old way : time will decide this point.
It is said that the mushroom button or ſlange, as
shown in the bells for the Westminster clock, is
stronger than the old-fashioned canons, which are
often defective. That may be ; but even if all the
canons should be broken off, a bell may be sus-
pended and fastened to the stock by nuts and bolts
passed through the head of the bell, taking care to
* The curve may be taken from the outer edge of the wheel.
E
44
insert a block of wood, of the required thickness,
so that the bell may hang at the same distance
below the centre of the gudgeon as it did before.
Holes may be bored in the head of a bell, without
fear of damage to the sound.
In conclusion, and by way of advice, I would
repeat, that rules for ringers should be as short and
simple as possible. Though, in dealing with such
persons, the advice of a heathen is to be borne in
mind: “Ne tu cede malis sed contra audentior ito,”
yet the words of Solomon must not be forgotten :
“Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know
not what to do in the end thereof.””
* Proverbs xxv, 8.
45
P O S T S C R I PT
TO
T H E T H I R D E D IT I O N.
Since the former edition was issued, it is most gratifying
to know that in many parishes a great reform has taken
place in Belfries, and that a number of Clergymen are
turning their attention to the subject, and take their place
in the Belfry among the ringers. I have myself had the
pleasure of ringing with several Clergymen.
In this edition I have added a new Plate (VIII) for the
purpose of showing my plan for preventing the continual
wearing out, and consequent breaking of the bell rope at
the “Fillet” marked 6 in Plate III, where the rope in ring-
ing doubles back at every pull.
I call it “an open mouth fillet,” retaining the old name,”
with two rounded lips, A A, Fig. I, between which the
rope is passed, and fastened to the upright spokes. By this
means the rope is not worn a bit more than if it worked
over a pulley, and it will remain good for many years. In
the engraving a portion of the “shrouding ” of the wheel
is removed to shew the two lips. *
Where the sole of the wheel is cut away, its strength is
maintained by covering the whole of that part with wider
shrouding, as may be seen at D.
The engraving also shows another contrivance, which
I call a “hooked cleat" (C C), made of round iron, and
* Originally this fillet was nothing more than a bit of Štring tied there to
effect the back pull; in several places it is called the Ribbon.
E”
46
bolted to the upright spokes. (See Fig. 2.) With this
appendage, a bell rope may be easily taken up or let down
in a moment, by giving the rope one or two or more turns
round the hook or the cleat end, as circumstances may
require; and by this means the trouble of casting off the
whole fastening of the rope for taking up or letting down is
avoided.
There is also shown a mode of tightening the bond at
the end of the bell stock, which often gets loose, and
requires wedges to be driven in, otherwise the gudgeon
might get loose. By making the bond in the form of a
horse shoe, with nuts and screws and a plate over, it may
be easily tightened at any time.
I would take this opportunity of adding the following
extracts from letters, which from time to time I have
received from respectable persons who have for years
devoted much of their time and attention to ringing as a
Science and an amusement. They tend to show that where
it is taken up out of love for the thing, and a desire to be
useful, it may be followed without damage to health or
morals, and that it is quite a mistake to suppose that it
ſuccessarily leads to drinking and other low habits ; not a
jot more so than becoming a member of a madrigal Society
or a cricket club, in which various grades of society in
these days unite so happily together. It is only by such a
union that we can hope to restore the belfry to a state of
respectability, and so by degrees cast out the low characters,
First, then, with regard to rules, one writes thus : —
“Rules are very necessary to conduct a band of ringers
generally, but not so much so when the Clergyman himself
takes an interest in the ringers, and the ringing of the bells.
Coarse language, drinking, and smoking, are the chief
things to be put down, for they are not only a great evil,
but things totally at variance with the mind in acquiring
and practising the real art of change-ringing. It is a very
47
mistaken idea that ringing is labour, or that it requires
more refreshment than a musician beating a big-drum in
an orchestra. To wit, myself; I am not a strong man, and
only just recovered from three months' illness, caused by
sitting too much at my desk, and over-anxiety in my
business; now I rang the 5th bell in a peal of 504O Grand-
sire Triples on Thursday last at —– (three hours). All the
refreshment I took or required was a glass of ale before
and after the peal, and the other ringers in like manner.”
Another experienced ringer, a respectable tradesman,
writes thus:—
“I have much pleasure in forwarding to you my opinion
on the practice of scientific ringing on church bells, trusting
it will help the advance and gradual perfection of an art
deserving the consideration of a higher class of Society, and
remove any incumbrance to its progress. Speaking with
an experience of sixteen years (during which I have taken
part in some of the greatest performances ever achieved
by any society), I can safely assert that it will be found a
healthy exercise, and afford much innocent and intellectual
amusement for the employment of leisure hours, and will
invigorate and exalt the mind much more so than the
depressing excitement of profane mirth and intoxicating
liquors, a practice too often indulged in by labouring men
who have followed ringing not as an amusement, but as
a profession, that they may procure the means of gratifying
their desires for dissipation and vice, which has been a
great drawback to this noble science. But to show that
excessive drinking can be and is avoided by societies who
follow ringing for both mental and bodily exercise, in the
whole of the extraordinary performances in which I have
taken part (which have varied in number of changes from
5,000 to 7,524, in Some of the most difficult methods, and
in time from three to six successive hours, according to the
number of changes and weight of bells,) I have never in
48
one instance known one of the performers get the worse
for liquor; thus showing that those who acquire the
greatest scientific attainment are exceptions to the class of
persons so often found among ringers in towns where they
are sometimes composed wholly of the working classes.”
Another writes thus :—
“I have rung in several peals, such as Steadman's,
Caters, Treble Bob, and one of each Superlative Surprise,
and Norwich Court Bob, and was in the long peal of 8448,
on the memorable Ioth of April, 1848, at S. Matthew's,
Bethnal Green. I never drink anything but tea, coffee,
and water, being what is termed an abstainer from all
intoxicating drinks for about twenty years. I have followed
ringing from my infancy, though there are very many
Superior performers to myself in London.”
To the above may be added an extract from a letter I
received a few days ago from a gentleman in the North,
who has lately become a ringer. He speaks in raptures of
the science and pleasure of change ringing, but deplores
the drunkenness which sometimes disgraces the ringer who
is paid for a wedding peal, or other joyous event, and in
conclusion he says:—
“All endeavours to improve the morality of the belfry
must promote the improvement and diffusion of good
change ringing. The main source of dissipation is the
money obtained for ringing at weddings. I think it would
be a great improvement if the fees paid on such occasions
were collected by the church authorities into a permanent
fund for the maintenance of ringing, instead of being given
directly to the ringers.”
“Spero meliora.”
Aaster, 1871.
POSTSCRIPT
TO
T H E F O U R T H E D IT I O N.
I wish to add a few remarks on the Hanging of Church
Bells, and the Vibration of Bell Towers, extracted from
my paper read before the Exeter Diocesan Architectural
Society, 22 September, 1862.
“Notwithstanding what has been urged by myself and
others in other places, on the great danger of allowing the
bell-frame or cage to touch the walls of the tower, I believe
that the danger is overrated. But if there be any, it arises
Solely from the wedging against walls; and from the
forcible and alternate hammerings of the frame, if it gets
unsteady : although, if the cage can be set severa/ inches
or feet away from the wall, whether it gets rickety or not,
little damage can arise, though the ringers would have the
harder work. But if, of necessity, the cage is fixed within
an inch or less of the walls, and it gets rickety and full of
life during the ringing, battering away, first one side, and
then the other, the danger is most imminent; and if wedges
are inserted by an unskilful workman, the evil is increased
by the downward and expanding tendency of the wedge.
In such a case, I am free to confess, that pieces of timber
fixed to the cage and butted square and hard up against
the walls, so that cage and bells may all oscillate together
in one compact body (like as a person in a rolling boat
would try to keep himself steady by taking tight hold of
E
50
the sides) little or no danger will occur to the tower;
provided the walls are of thick and substantial masonry;
but if they are flimsily built, and the bells are hung high
up, and in a high cage, the vibration of the tower would be
So great, that in some mysterious way, the bell cage gets
so affected, that it is found from experience a difficult
thing to keep the bells up when ringing, to say nothing of
the damage done to everything in connection ; therefore, in
such a case, the cage must be kept clear of the side walls.
After all, do what you will, it is perhaps impossible to
prevent the vibration of a tower, unless it is constructed
with deep-faced buttresses on all sides, therefore, great
care should be taken that the vibrations be not checked ;
but that they oscillate steadily like a pendulum. Scientific
men have not yet determined how much the vibrations are
caused by the soniferous waves from the sound of the bells,
as well as by their motion.
Bell-hangers may say, that if the bells are made to swing
at right angles to each other, one will counteract the other,
and the cage will be kept steady ; but I am certain that it
is not the case. The cage may be a little stiffer from the
cross-bracings which it involves; but it is contrary to all
mechanical principles for two forces acting at right angles
to neutralize each other at all. The only way for bells to
Swing and counteract each other is, by making them all
Swing in directions opposite to one another ; that would be,
all North and South, or all East and West, according as
the tower may be buttressed, and then the bells would be
pulled to follow each other oppositely ; but this would only
be in round ringing ; for when bells go off into changes,
then it may be that all the bells, just for one blow, would
swing the same way, though the direction of their motion
would be changed by the very next pull. I have seen
several old towers (Lympstone is one, and the bells badly
51
hung) in which the timbers are so abutted without wedging
and no damage done, and the tower is not a low one. It
is so at Bitton, my old parish ; and in this tower of Clyst
S. George, all the original timbers were hard up against
the walls—indeed, there was evidence, from the pinning—
that the old cage was set up before the walls were raised,
and that they were built close against it.”
P.S.–It is now more than twelve years since the above
remarks were made, therefore my judgment ought to be
more matured—be that as it may, during that time I have
visited about six hundred towers—in many of which I
found the upper bell-timbers walled in, and wedges applied
in many cases; but I have not found any instance of a
tower being damaged thereby provided the masonry was
sound and substantial.
Very lately I was in the noble tower of L’Abbaye Aux-
hommes, at Caen, during the swinging (I cannot call it
ringing—the bells being worked by the foot without wheel
and rope) of two heavy bells for service ; the cage of
massive timbers was insulated, but the motion was so great
as to produce the sensation of sea sickness to one of my
companions, and the oscillation of the lofty tower with its
glorious spire was greater than I ever before witnessed, but
without any apparent damage.
Therefore, after very mature consideration, I have come
to this conclusion—that it is not at all unsafe nor damaging
to the tower—and better for the ringers, that the Cage
should be BUTTED HARD AND TIGHT against the
walls, and as the vibration or rocking of a tower cannot be
prevented—no harm whatever will arise from the same,
provided there are no defects in the walls from old settle-
ment or other cause, and that the whole building is of
compact and solid masonry; the elasticity in such a build-
ing is so extraordinary, whether a tower, spire, or even a
52
bridge,” that it is sufficient to counteract the disintegration
of the materials of which it is composed. Substantially
the same opinion is expressed in Sir E. Beckett's Treatise
on Clocks and Bells, p. 363, of 6th Edition, and it is the
opinion of the most experienced bell hangers.
Well-constructed towers vibrate from the very basement.
At Abingdon, Berks, there is a spur stone against the tower,
and when the bells are ringing, boys amuse themselves by
putting their knives between the stone and the tower, to be
pinched as the vibrations go on
It is better not to pin any of the tenons of the cage, but
to bolt the whole cage down to the beams below : in this
way the bolts may be screwed tighter from time to time
as the case may require : the bolts had better be put in
bracingly, that is, not perpendicularly.
H. T. E.
Midsummer, 1378.
* A new bridge at Langholm, N.B., was shaking owing to an unusually
high flood. Telford, who lived near, was sent for—his reply to the builder's
wife, who was alarmed for the consequences, was “Never you mind Tibby'—
there's no fear o' the brig : I like it a'the better that it shakes – it proves its
weel put thegither.” The bridge has stood the furious shakes of nearly a
century uninjured.— See SMILES's LIVES, vol. ii, p. 302, under Zelford.
53
RULES IN DOGGEREL VERSE
Were very common a century and more ago. The follow-
ing is a fair specimen :—
He that in ringing takes delight,
And to this place draws near,
These Articles, set in his sight,
Must keep if he rings here.
The first he must observe with care,
Who comes within the door,
Must, if he chance to curse or swear,
Pay SIXPENCE to the poor.
And whosoe'er a noise does make,
Or idle story tells,
Must SIxPENCE to the ringers take,
For mending of the Bells.
If any like to smoke or drink,
They must not do so here:
Good reason why—just let them think
This is God's House of Prayer.
Young men that Come to see and try,
And do not ringing use,
Must SIXPENCE give the company,
And that shall them excuse.
He that his hat on's head does keep,
Within this sacred place,
Must pay his sixPENCE ere he sleep,
Or turn out with disgrace.
54
If any one with spurs to's heels,
Rings here at any time,
He must for breaking Articles
Pay sixPENCE for his crime.
If any overthrow a Bell,
As that by chance he may :
Because he minds not ringing well,
He must his sixPENCE pay.
Or if a noble-minded man
Comes here to ring a Bell,
A SHILLING is the Sexton's fee,
Who keeps the Church so well.
If boys or men swing in the ropes
Or tread them on the floor,
Each one must TwoPENCE pay for that
Or else be turned to door.
And when a ringer sets his Bell,
And when his peal is o'er,
The rope he must hank up it well
Or pence must forfeit Four.
If any at our Parson sneer,
Or Wardens' rules deride,
It is a rule of old, most clear,
That such shan’t here abide.
The Sabbath day we wish to keep,
And come to Church to pray:
The man who breaks this ancient rule,
Shall never share our pay.
And ringers all should say or sing,
When bells are down and Cease,
“May God preserve the Church and King,
And guide us Home in peace.”
55
SCALE OF RINGS.
Messrs. Warner have kindly supplied the following scale of
several Rings, shewing the Note and Diameter of each Bell, and
the Weight (subject to slight variation).
These tables will be found very useful to Clergymen and
Churchwardens who contemplate any new work in their Belfries.
No. Diam. Note. Cwt. Qrs. lb. No.
I. 27 Eb. 4 o o I
2. 28 D 5 o o 2
3. 3o C 6 o o 3.
4. 32 Bb 6 2 o 4
Total weight 21 2 o
I. 32 C 6 2 o I.
2. 34 B 7 2 o 2.
3. 36% A 9 o o 3.
4. 4O G I 2 O O 4.
Total weight 35 o o
FIVE BELLS.
No Diam. Note. Cwt. Qrs. lb. No.
I. 26 F 3 3 O I.
2. 27 Eb 4 O O 2.
3. 28 D 5 o o 3.
4. 3o C 6 o o 4.
5. 32 B5. 6 2 o 5.
Total weight 25 I o
RINGS OF FOUR BELLS.
Diam. Note.
3I D
32 C#
34 B
36% A
Total weight
34; B
36 Af
38; Gº;
45 F#
Total weight
Diam. Note.
3I D
32 C
34 B
36% A
4O G
Total weight
Cwt. qrs. lb.
6 o o
6 2 o
7 o o
9 O O
28 2 o
7 o o
8 o o
II 2 O
I5 o o
4I 2 O
Cwt. qrs. lb.
6 o o
6 2 O
7 2 o
9 o o
I 2 O O
4I O O
56
FIVE BELLS–continued.
No. Diam. Note. Cwt. Qrs. lb. No. Diam. Note.
I. 29% E 4 O O I. 32 C#
2. 3I D 5 o o 2. 34% B
3. 32 C# 6 o o 3. 36 A:
4, 34 B 7 o o 4. 38% Głł
5. 36%. A 9 o o 5, 45 F#
Total weight 31 o o Total weight
SIX BELLS.
No. Diam. Note. Cwt. qrs. lb. No. Diam. Note.
I. 28 F 5 o o I. 32 C#
2. 29 D; 5 o o 2. 34; B
3. 30% C# 6 o o 3. 36% A
4. 32 C 6 2 o 4. 38; G:
5. 35 A: 8 2 o 5. 42% Fif
6. 38 G# Io 2 o 6. 47 E
Total weight 41 2 o Total weight
I. 28 E 5 O O I. 3o; E
2. 29 D 5 O O 2. 31# D
3. 3 I C 6 I o 3. 32% C
4, 33 B 7 2 o 4, 35 B
5. 36 A 8 2 o 5. 37 A
6. 4O G I 2 O O 6. 4O G
Total weight 44 I o Total weight
I • 3O D 6 o o I. 28 E
2. 32 C 7 o o 2. 29 D
3. 34 B5 8 o o 3. 3I C
4. 36% A O O 4. 33 B
5. 4O G I 2 O O 5. 36 A
6. 45 F I5 o o 6. 4O G
Total weight 57 o o Total weight
Cwt. Qrs. lbs.
6 o o
7 o o
8 o o
II 2 O
I5 o o
47 2 O
Cwt. qrs. lb.
6 2 O
8 o o
9 o o
II 2 O
I4 O O
18 o o
67 o o
6 2 13
7 o 16
7 I 6
8 2 I 8
9 3 I 7
I 2 O O
5 I 2 I4
5 O
5 O O
6 O
7 2 o
8 2 o
I2 O O
44 I. O
57
EIGHT BELLS.
No. Diam. Note, Cwt. qrs. lb. No. Diam. Note. Cwt. Qrs, lb.
I. 28 F 5 o o I. 3o E. 5 2 O
2. 29 E 5 2 O 2. 30 D# 6 o o
3. 30; D 6 o o 3. 33 CI 7 O O
4. 32 C 6 2 o 4. 35% B 8 2 O
5. 35 B; 8 o o 5. 38 A IO 2 O
6. 36 A. 8 2 o 6. 39% G1. I2 o o
7. 39 G II o o 7. 43 F# 15 o o
8. 43 F I4 2 O 8. 47 E 2O O O
Total weight 65 o o Total weight 84 2 o
DONCASTER PEAL.
I. 29 F 5 2 O I. 3 I Eb 6 2 5
2. 3O E 6 o o 2. 32 D 7 O II
3. 31; D 6 2 o 3. 34 C 8 O IO
4. 33 C 7 o o 4. 37 Bb 9 O O
5. 35% B: 8 o o 5. 4 I A} 13 o o
6. 36% A 9 O O 6. 43 } I 5 I IO
7. 4O G I 2 O O | 7. 48 F 2 I O 24
8. 44 F I5 o o 8. 54 EDI 3o I o
Total weight 69 o o Total weight IIo 2 4
TEN BELLS.
No. Diam, Note. Cwt. qrs. lb. No. Diam. Note. Cwt. qrs. lb.
I. — F: 6 O O I. — E 7 O
2. —- E. 6 3 O 2. — D 8 I O
3. — D 7 2 O 3. — C 9 O O
4. — C# 8 O O 4. — B IO O O
5. – B 9 O O 5. — A I2 O O
6. — A II O O 6. — G I6 o o
7. — G I4 O O 7. — F 2O O O
8. — F# 17 o o 8. — E 24 O O
9. — E 22 O O 9. — D 30 O O
IO. — D 3O O O IO. — C 40 O O
Total weight 131 I o Total weight 176 3 o
58
No.
No,
No.
i
:
i
Diam.
32%
34
36
38%
4 I
Diam.
3O
32
32
34
37
42
Diam.
ST. MARY LE Bow, LoNDON, 1762.
Note.
:
Note.
:
Note.
i
Cwt. qrs. lb.
8 3 7
9 I 5
IO O O
I2 O 7
I3 2 22
TWELVE
No. Diam.
6, 44
7. 48%
51%
57%
IO, 64%
BELLS.
ST. SAVIOUR's, SouTHWARK,
Cwt, qis. lb.
7 I Io
7 3 20
7 3 O
9 O IO
IO O I4
I I O I 6
No.
7.
8
IO.
II.
I 2.
Diam.
43
45
47
5 I
66
ST. MARTIN’s, BIRMINGHAM.
Cwt.
:
qrs. lb.
O I4
I O
IO
2
2O
I 2
.
No.
7.
IO.
II.
I 2.
Diam.
37
4O
44
46
52
58
i
Note.
:
Note.
Note.
i
Cwt.
I6
2 I
26
34
53
Cwt.
I3
17
I9
25
34
5 I
Cwt.
II
I5
17
25
35
qrs.
O
O
qrs.
.
qrs.
i
lb.
4
23
I3
6
25
2 I
2 I
2 I
I 2
I 7
I 2
59
Diam.
I 2.
I3.
I4.
I5.
I6.
I 7.
I8.
I9.
2O.
2 I.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
28.
29.
3O.
3I.
32.
33.
34.
Cwt. qrs. lb.
O
I
I6
O
I 2
8
I 2
4
O
O
I9
22
6
II
O
8
24
22
17
IO
5
2O
SCALE OF BELLS, BY
Diam.
64.
60.
57.
54.
5.I.
48.
45.
Note.
C
Db
D
Eb
E
F
G5.
Cwt. qrs. lb.
53 O O
42 O O
36 o o
30 O O
26 o o
2 I O O
I8 O O
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
4O.
4 I.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46
47.
48.
49.
5O.
5.I.
52.
53.
54.
59.
64%.
SIR ED. BECKETT,
Thickness, I-13 diameter.
43.
40%.
38%.
36.
32.
Diam.
Diam,
34}.
SCALE OF SINGLE BELLS
Note.
B
AT:
Aft
G#
G
G
G;
F;
F
F
F;
Ey.
Ch.
B
Note,
G
Abſ
By
B
C
Cwt. qrs. lb
8 2 15
9 O IQ
9 I 20
IO O 9
II o 7
I2 2 3
I3 3 26
I 3 2 I
I4 I I6
I5 I 18
I5 3 I4
I 7 3 4.
2O O O
2 I O 24
2 I 2 O
22 O O
23 O O
25 O O
28 O O
3O I O
34 2 8
52 O 23
BART.
Cwt. Qrs lb.
I5 O O
I 2 2 O
II O O
9 O O
8 O O
6 3 O
BELL-HANG ING.
COPY of a Letter from the Rev. Henry Thomas Ellacombe,
M.A., Oxon, F.A.S., Rector of Clyst S. George, Devon,
and contributing Visitor; read at the Ordinary General
Meeting of the Royal Institute of British Architects,
held on Monday, the 4th January, 1864; containing in-
formation relative to Bell-ringing, &c.—in reference to
the Paper on Newland Church, by W. White, Fellow,
read at the Ordinary General Meeting, held on Monday,
the 30th November, 1863.
“To John W. Papworth, Esq., F.R.I.B.A.
“DEAR SIR,--I have been very much interested in your
discussion with Mr. White, about the Bell-ringers' place,
after his very able though somewhat pertinacious paper on
Newland Church, as reported in the Sessional Papers of the
Institute, Part I, No. 3, pp. 40, 41, of the present Session.
I have long contended for bringing the ringers down, ad
favimentum et in conspectu ecclesiae, they and churchwardens
may make difficulties, but there are few, if any, but what
may be got over by consulting those who know how to
make the arrangement. Here we have a very beautiful
western Doom by Hardman, after Giotto's design, and the
ropes and guides do not at all damage the view. The
guides are iron bars, I inch square, opened where required
to embrace a 2% galvanised thimble ; one end is let into the
wall, the other screwed against the opposite side. The 20
feet noticed by Mr. Christian as the length of the pull must
be a mistake for the distance from the floor to the first
61
guide. I think Mr. Denison gives 16 feet, but here the
distance is 18 feet from the pavement to the first guide,
and (46 feet 9 inches, say) 47 feet from the pavement
to the top of the wheel of the tenor, and 53 to the top of
the wheel of our Albert Memorial bell, for that
is hung above the others. There is no difficulty whatever
in the pull, I speak from experience, for I ring generally
once a week. I enclose a copy of a paper of mine on Bells,
published in the Ecclesiologist last year, in which I allude
to the point at issue: and a paper by ‘A Cantab. M.A.' in
the last Ecclesiologist.
“With all respect for the professional members of the
Institute, I would beg leave to suggest that architects in
general would do well to avoid having anything whatever
to do with the arrangement of the bells, or procuring them,
or hanging them : all they should do is to take care that a
substantial oak floor of two inch stuff (to be laid, when
required, on beams and joists of the same material of sub-
stantial scantling, not less than 8 inches square for joists,
and I2 inches for any beams, the ends to rest on Corbels,
or, what is better, on a set off of Io or 12 inches all round)
be provided for the bell chamber, such as will be found in
all old towers; and it would be better not to arrange the
timbers, nor consequently lay the flooring planks, until the
bell-hanger has been consulted as to the size and exact
spot he will require the trap to be left; there, wherever it
may be, one or two trimmers will be required. I would
almost defy any architect being able to do credit to his
abilities, or any general contractor to carry out honestly
the requirements, without a previous consultation and
understanding with the bell-hanger; by so doing both
parties will get rid of a deal of worry, which percentage
and profit will barely counterbalance, and the employers
will be better satisfied. In bell-hanging, so much has to
be done pro re matá, that it is often most difficult to foresee
62
all the details connected with the setting up and com-
pleting a peal of bells (and the more so if there are chimes
and a clock to contend with ) all that should be left to the
bell-founder, or bell-hanger, as the case may be, for
different parties may be employed ; and either is the
proper party to construct the cage for the bells, indepen-
dent of the general contractors. It seems to me that an
architect and a builder might just as well design and
manufacture the steam engine and power looms, or other
machinery to be set up in a mill they had constructed,
though they would of course have taken instruction before-
hand from their employer or the mechanician as to require-
ments.
“In modern towers the general complaint is, that the
bell chamber is not sufficiently capacious, though the very
object of a tower is for the purpose of receiving a peal of
bells ; therefore that (capaciousness) is a point that the
architect should insist upon carrying out. It is a great
mistake to suppose that bells may be hung one above
another, and Squeezed in anyhow : they may be, it is true,
but not with any satisfaction to those who have to pay the
cost, nor without great inconvenience, and increase of
expense, and very great danger to the permanent stability
of the building. Another complaint I have heard is, that
in modern towers the ringing floor is often placed close
under the bells; and that, in some, the stone staircase is
carried up close to the bell chamber, taking up a large
portion of the area required inside for the bells: it is far
better to stop the staircase at the lower floor, and thence
have a ladder leading to the bell chamber floor, entering
one of the pits of the cage.
“In the tower of this church, the walls of which are 3
feet thick at the bell chamber, I I feet by Io feet 6 inches,
and 5 feet at the base, 9 feet by 8 feet, we have six bells all
well hung, and in a substantial new cage of oak. The ropes
63
of three pass through the very heart of the clock, in metal
tubes, and one of the ropes is conducted to the floor through
a trunk as crooked as a long f, and inclining as much in the
other direction ; to do that was the work of a mechanic, and
such as no architect or building contractor should have
anything to do with.
“Will you do me the favour to lay these remarks before
your next meeting ; experience in the subject of over half
a century induces me perhaps to make them with the more
pertinacity and freedom of speech ; but they are made
with genuine Christmas goodwill to all, and I trust will be
received in the like spirit, and oblige
“Yours obediently,
“H. T. ELLACOMBE, M.A. OXON., F.A.S.
“Rectory, Clyst St. George,
“Topsham, Devon.
“S. Thomas's Day, 1863.
“P.S.—I have three or four towers in my eye in the
remarks I have made ; in one every timber fixed by the
architect for the bell work had to be hacked and cut away;
in another the whole had to be removed.
“When I took out the old cage here, there was proof
enough, by the pinning, that the cage was fixed before the
walls were raised ; but in those mediaeval days they rarely
had more than three bells in parish churches ; it is the
increase of number of bells that makes the arrangement
more complicated. In Gloucester Cathedral there is proof
that even the stone groining of the tower ceiling was not
executed (finished) till after the bells were raised to their
chamber; and so I say timbers should not be fixed till all
about the bells is settled. Towers are for bells, and there-
ſore their requirements are to be uppermost in the mind of
the architect, and therefore plenty of room and strength
should be provided, as well as plenty of opening for sound.”
EXETER .
WILLIAM TOLLARD, PRINTER, NORTH STREET.
WORKS BY
THE REV. H. T. ELLACOMBE, M.A., F.S.A.
Member of ſhe Royal Archaeological Institute of Great Britain
and Ireland, &c., of Oriel College, Oxford;
A'ector of Clyst St. George, Devon.
Bells of the Church. Illustrated with I8 Plates
and 28o Woodcuts, 4to.
Church Bells of Devon, containing the Legends,
Inscriptions, &c., &c., of all the Parish Church Bells in the
County, with a List of the Ancient and Modern Bells in the
Parish Churches of Cornwall. Illustrated with numerous
Woodcuts, &c., 4to.
Church Bells of Somerset, to which is added an
OLLA PodRIDA of Bell Matters of general interest. Illus-
trated with numerous Woodcuts, 4to.
Church Bells of Gloucestershire, to which is added
a Budget of Bell Matters of General Interest. Illustrated
with numerous woodcuts, 4to.
Bells of the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Exon,
small 4to, Illustrated with Woodcuts.
Practical Remarks on Belfries & Ringers, with an
Appendix on Chiming, &c., 8vo. Fifth Edition.
Sermon on the Dedication of Church Bells, with
an Office for the Dedication of Church Bells, 8vo.
History of Clyst St. George, Devon. Profusely
illustrated with maps, plates, wood-engravings, &c.
History of the Parish of Bitton, Gloucestershire,
with Appendices. Illustrated with numerous maps, plates,
wood-engravings, &c., 4to,
PLATE I.
Afrom “MERSENNUS DE HARMONICIS,” Zib. iv.
Cerberum vel Caput -------------.> 2.......... ... Head or Shoulder
Latus .
--------------- Waist
** ) Sé-------- Sound Bow
Labium ....: /
----- Mouth
e - e = * * * * * - * * * * * * * * * * * * *> º' --~~~------- - Rim
Tongue or Clapper.

PLATE II.
Bell-wheel at Dunchideock, Devon,
shewing the old HALF-WHEEL beautifully moulded.

PLATE III.
ºS23
§§2%
*
º
º
WHEEL.
. Upright Spokes.
. Transom or Long Rail.
. Arms or Spokes.
. Shrouding.
. Sole of Wheel—see Plan, Plate V.
. Fillet—see Elevation, Plate V.
. Head-stock.
. Ground-truck.
Stay.
. Catch or Slider.
. Timbers of Cage.


:
PLATE IV.
C-y
DETAILS.
. Brasses.
. Gudgeons.
. Straps.
. Dogs or Gibs.
. Coupling-plates
. Clapper, with mode of hanging.
. Crown or Argent staple inside the Bell.
. Iron Hoop at end of Stock.
. Strap and Bolt for the Stay.
*

· II ºg Uo UAAop №uſ ſooſ ºx{ooņs-puº II Jo uel I
ºx{oo}S puſe Ilog Jo uoņeA3IGI
• • • •
----
O
‘A GIJLVICH

f’LATE VI.
This shows, in perspective, the present method of hanging a Church Bell,
with stock, stay, slider, wheel, pulley and rope, either
as a single bell or in ring.

PLATE VII.
5
ſ
º
l
–l
|§
I. Ball of Cast Iron.
2 and 3. Iron Cheeks.
4. Position of Hammer
or Ball at rest.
5. Ditto, when tied down
below, for chiming
6. Pulley under the floor.
7. Pulleys fixed at dif.
ferent angles.
8. Nest of Pulleys of wood
9. Fixed shelf through
which the cords are
passed.
Io. A lever staff to which
the cords are tied
and by which all the
hammers are lifted
into working posi-
tion & let off when
done.
Author's original contrivance for
o )? Chiming.
Side View.
- i N
- [3]|| 8 a N
& w
S.
9 f
* \l
IO
\
\ N




PLATE VIII.
- ---
O O O Q `s
Q
O
O |
Ds Sº
A
O
B
SN
2, ||||| C A
ſo
O
. . .
WJ fºs
l
ſº
ºr
º
th
º
t
|
U t—r-
^ Y Fil
L —U– f
Cl {D O r
O
Fig. 2.
º
7.
d
T
4./
O
O y
Open Mouth Fillet with two lips.



4. – – 24
72°
j
4. *==--. rºº-º-º-º-
- ****" g-, 2 # a
% — 4 o . J. " '
Z” 3 & 2 3'3' o
ſ - J ,42 ſ", ſo-c
// 3 g º 4 7 2-2
/2 *~ 27% o *
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Univ. of Mich.
Music Library
DATE DUE
sº ºr ºf
_---
N000P }*b Rºch
***
J.
SEP oil 1885
; ; ; ; ;
Drt o 1990
JAN 28 2006




|||
| f | C H | {, ſº J
|||||
º
y
tJr., ſ \ſſ ºf
||||||
<†
LO
LO
№.
CN]
CD
№.
CD
O
LO
<！--
CD
OD
Crò
u----
±:::::::::：：:№:
-±±，±，±，±，±，±，±



·§§§§§. ¿：¿
saesaeºrge:ſaeae:- ：ĢĒĢģĞğ
ș&&=&&！！！！！！！！！！！！！！??！ș-**.**·:s：:-->
cae¿·
ſae
、、。3;
*{&#39;，&& & &&
§§
*********
****
ſae¿
∞∞∞ſae·
º ae&#3…§§§¿
-*ºseae
;***¿¿.·
§§§
. ae：
*:（.******
， ！， !
ſ
* ** * * * * * |* |*?***
： s·---····º ，… （* * * * * * *
·º·:·º·:·º·:·º·:：|-··~
sº
º
|×。 、s ：
ſae
* ¿
№
**** . ：::* ''） && ！ºp;ae.
********ě tišš，
ſae