But not only is there a general lack of knowledge upon ringing
church bells on the part of the majority, even in this bell ringing
isle — it can well be added that, as to change ringing, the really
scientific, very useful, and interesting part of ringing is " dog Latin "
or " double Dutch " to ninety -nine persons out of every hundred,
or even more, the general impression being that it is all very easy,
and only to pull — that anyone can do all that is to be done in a
very short time ; whereas it is in every particular an interesting
study, proficiency gained by practice, thought, care, and application
alone — a science as true, as useful, and as healthy to mind and body,
as is possible to be found, practised, or studied.
To ring, and to ring changes, on either church or musical hand
bells, are three very different subjects. In order to ring changes,
however, it is absolutely necessary to have a good knowledge of
riiiging, or the means adopted to make the bells sound in their
proper time and place, whether it be in the church tower, on the
large swinging bells with ropes, or in the parlour or drawing-room,
upon the musical bells, held in the hand or hartds. But not to deal
with too many subjects together, artd to avoid confusion, it is well
to start with




HINTS ON CHURCH BELLS AND FITTINGS.
