England is frequently said to be known as the Ringing Isle, from the fact that wherever the stranger or foreigner turns, or stays, in this land, he is sure to meet with the well tuned bells, and well timed changes, pealing forth from our venerable church towers and steeples; whilst on the Continent of Europe, and in other parts of the world, the ear is accustomed only to the hodgepodge, jangle or clatter of several bells, either in or out of tune, no matter which, all striking as fast as possible, in utter disorder, seemingly in a race for the greatest number of blows per minute, for each or any one in particular. But whilst in England the townsman, citizen, or villager is accustomed to the order, and the sweet music from the steeple bells, it is strange to find that so few really care to understand by what means, method, or performance such results are produced. Happily, however, much has been done within the last fifty years to emulate enquiry, and foster interest in such matters by many gentlemen, who have spent a large share of their spare time to effect this purpose, both by essays, books, lectures, advice, and practice—foremost amongst them all being the venerable Rev. H. T. Ellacombe, of Clyst St. George, Devon, who from quite a young man has entered deeply and fully into all matters of interest relative to Church Bells and Ringing, and who now supervises that bell-ringing page in the interesting weekly paper called Church Bells, where from time to time much is given which is interesting to all who may wish to become ringers in practice or performance, with good and reliable information as the groundwork upon which they desire to ultimately place their edifice of knowledge of the subject in question.

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 ringing, 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 hands. But not to deal with too many subjects together, and to avoid confusion, it is well to start with