"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.
_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.
"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."
The following note in connexion with the baptism of bells may be interesting, as it shows the manner of working, at that time.
{ 344} 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:
"That suffragans used to baptize bels under pretence of driving away divels and tempests; and for this purpose did invite many rich godfathers, who were to touch the rope while the bell was exorcised, and its name invoked (unto which all the people must answer). And that a banquet was used to be made thereupon, at the cost of the layicks, amounting in little towns to a hundred florins, whither the godfathers were to come, and bring great gifts, &c., whereas they desired that the said bels might be baptized not onely by suffragans, but by any priest, with holy water, salt, herbs, without such costs."