arrangement upon the table wMch would make
f m r d easy to play would make f r d Pi difficult
(the difficulties increasing with the numher of the
bells), it was not till the invention of a system, that
the modem style of ringing, which treats a number
of bells as a band, instead of merely melodic
instruments, could be attempted.
This invention has hitherto been a professional
secret from which the possessors derived considerable
profit ; but the present is an age of publicity, and it
is not possible to keep a secret very long when the
public is permitted to see its results ; for what it is
seen one man has done another will endeavour to do,
and it is possible (as with the sewing machine, for
instance) that seeing the result, he may even suggest
a better or a simpler means of producing it. The
sewing machine of the present day is adapted for
better and more varied work than that of Ehas Howe,
and is, besides, easier to operate ; so it is believed will
the method of the Eoyal Criterion Handbell [fingers
compare favourably with that of other ringers who
adhere to an older style. This is indeed proved by
the criticisms of the Press, from the Times down-
wards, and by the numerous applications for their
services which are constantly being received from
various parts of the world. The members believe
that they have secured the best esdsting system,
one by which the most complicated harmony can be
perfectly played. There is no doubt, however, that
this is largely due to the Tonic Sol-fa method, which
they adopt. Its notation of time is the best that
could possibly be devised for handbell ringing, and



HANDBELL RINGINO.
