When we reach the middle of the century a change comes over the inscriptions, though hardly one for the better. The frivolous doggerel rhymes are replaced by prim, though not always decorous, couplets which seem to be thoroughly characteristic of that period. In fact, so greatly was Methodism feared by the correct and worldly churchmen of Georgian days that we actually find on a bell at Welwyn, Herts.—
PROSPERITY TO THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND AND NO ENCOURAGEMENT TO ENTHUSIASM.
The most typical specimens, however, are on the bells of the London founders at this period—
AT PROPER TIMES OUR VOICES WE WILL RAISE
IN SOUNDING TO OUR BENEFACTORS’ PRAISE.
WHEN FEMALE VIRTUE WEDS WITH MANLY WORTH
WE CATCH THE RAPTURE AND WE SPREAD IT FORTH
MAY ALL WHOM I SHALL SUMMON TO THE GRAVE
THE BLESSINGS OF A WELL-SPENT LIFE RECEIVE.
Tower of Waltham Abbey Church, Essex.
The Bells of which inspired Tennyson’s well-known lines. (See page [90]).