"Tempore ruricolæ patiens fit taurus aratri;"
or Ar. Am. i. 471.:
"Tempore difficiles veniunt ad aratra juvenci."
P. J. F. G.
Cambridge, May 22. 1851.
[N. B., E. C. H., and several other correspondents, have furnished similar references to Ovid.]
Baldrock (Vol. iii., pp. 328. 435.).
—MR. CHADWICK'S quotations on this word are very opportune, and useful by way of illustration, and for elucidating the meaning of the word.
I will endeavour to explain this part of bell gear, and the purpose for which it was used.
Baldrock (sic) is probably the patois of a locality for bawdrick, which means a belt, or the leather strap and other appurtenances of the upper part of the clapper, by which it was suspended from the crown staple. In old black-letter bells (if one may use the term) the upper part of the clapper was shaped like a stirrup, through which a strap of stout leather, often doubled, was passed; but between this and the staple a piece of hard wood of like width was inserted, and fitted to work on the round part of the crown staple. Through this leather and wood an iron pin was passed; and all was fastened together, and kept stiff in place, by a curiously cut piece of tough wood, called a busk-board, one end of which was tied round the stem of the clapper. I have seen many such. There was one at Swanswich next Bath: but without a sketch it is difficult to explain. I will enclose a sketch, to be used at the Editor's discretion.