_Observ. 3._ The next thing to be understood by the Learner, is the precedency of the notes. Now whereas in the ringing of changes, the notes do all strike after one another at the fore-stroke, and again at the back-stroke, therefore are they said to lie before or behind each other, according to their places of striking. As if five men were standing in a row, as these five figures represent, 1 2 3 4 5, the first man to stand at the fig. 1, the second man at the figure 2, _&c._ and that they stand with their faces all one way, that is, the first man ready to lead, and the rest to follow him one behind another. Now the first man stands before the rest, and the fifth man behind the rest; the second man stands behind the first man, but before the third; the third man stands behind the second, but before the fourth; and the fourth stands behind the third, but before the fifth. In which manner the notes being supposed to strike in the like row, may also be laid to lie before or behind each other as the men did. For whatsoever note leads either at fore-stroke or back-stroke, is said to lie before the rest; and that which strikes last, to strike behind the rest. The note which lieth in the second place, as on the one hand it lieth behind the leading note, so on the other hand it lieth before the note in the third place. As the note in the third place lieth behind the note in the second place, so it lieth before the note in the fourth place. And in like manner, every note is said to lie behind those that strike before it, and before those that strike after it.