"In E (the mark by which Mr. H. designates that copy in Nicolas), one stanza is interpolated after line 36, and a second at the end."
As I entirely agree with Sir H. Nicolas that the lines in question are "a wanton interpolation," I think Mr. Hannah was perfectly justified in contenting himself with this acknowledgment of their existence.
R.
Bells versus Storms (Vol. vi., p. 508.).—While returning my acknowledgments to your correspondents the Rev. H. T. Ellacombe and W. S. G., I would briefly refer to the subject again, which may be of interest to some of our readers.
Dr. Fuller says:
"That bells are no effectual charm against lightning. The frequent firing of abbey churches by lightning confuteth the proud motto commonly written on the bells in their steeples, wherein each intitled itself to a six-fold efficacy.
'Men's death I tell, by doleful knell,
Lightning and thunder, I break asunder,
On Sabbath all, to church I call,
The sleepy head, I raise from bed,
The winds so fierce, I do disperse,
Men's cruel rage, I do assuage.'"
"It has anciently been reported," observes Lord Bacon, "and is still received, that extreme applauses and shouting of people assembled in multitudes, have so rarefied and broken the air, that birds flying over have fallen down, the air not being able to support them; and it is believed by some that great ringing of bells in populous cities hath chased away thunder, and also dissipated pestilent air. All which may be also from the concussion of the air, and not from the sound."
W. W.
Malta.
The following note in connexion with the baptism of bells may be interesting, as it shows the manner of working, at that time.
Among the Centum Gravamina offered to Pope Adrian in 1521 by the Princes of Germany, as given in Herbert's Henry VIII., p. 139., this is the 51st: