(Illustration of a Ring of Eight Bells and Ringers, with Bells set at Hand Stroke ready to start either for Round or Peal Ringing.)
Note.—Being Set means standing mouth upwards.
(Illustration of a Bell at rest and best plan to hold the rope.)
Whilst watching, it will be noticed that after starting to pull the bell from the position of rest, as is shown in the sketch, to get the “bell up,” or “set the bell,” as it is termed, that the rope will begin in a very short time to dance, which is caused by the bell, and the wheel reversing sides, for the rope on the wheel, in swinging; and then it will be seen how that, as the bell approaches nearer the set point or balance, there is much to be gained by catching the sally or tufting, giving a slight pull as the rope reverses, until the point be reached, when the balance or set is obtained, and the bell is held or caught and eased to the hand stroke, in the position as is shown by the following sketch ([fig. 1]), where the stay rests against the slider on the one side, in which case it will be seen that the rope comes much in the position as when at rest, and is pulled off the set by the sally; then, when pulled, it will be noticed that the bell will swing to the reverse side, and set at the position called the back stroke, being eased to its proper place or point by the hands, in the position as is shown by the sketch ([fig. 2]), where the stay rests against the slider on the reverse side, in which case it will be seen that the rope is all round the wheel, and the end only is in the hands, and is so pulled off its set to the hand stroke.
Note.—The sally must be caught in the hands before the stay reaches the slider at hand stroke, and eased to its position, and the rope held in check as the bell goes to back stroke, or the slider or stay may be broken and the bell turn a somersault.
Note.—In some cases the rope is not held in the one hand, as shewn in the wood-cut, but is pulled off at hand stroke, and caught when approaching at back stroke, and vice versa.