Nor was this merely a result of the general laxity and indifference of the “dead” period in the Church. There are not wanting signs that in the seventeenth century the standard of discipline among ringers was not high. We may recall how John Bunyan, at one time an enthusiastic member of the ringing company of Elstow, was constrained to abandon the pursuit, along with other enjoyments, as not tending to edification. That conviviality reigned in the belfry in those days is shown by the use of ringers’ jugs, some of which still exist, in which large quantities of beer were provided, and by the frequent entries in parish accounts of money spent on beer for the ringers. One of the bells at Walsgrave, in Warwickshire (dated 1702) has the inscription: “Hark do you hear? Our clappers want beer,” evidently intended for a gentle hint that the ringers suffered from thirst! [Illustration: _Plate 19._ “GREAT JOHN OF BEVERLEY.” A fourteenth-century bell recast by Taylor, with old lettering reproduced. (See pages 49, 116, 155.)] At the same time there was a feeling that the actual ringing should be properly carried out, which finds vent in the numerous “Ringers’ Rules,” mostly dating from the eighteenth century, which may be seen painted up on the walls of our belfries. They all follow very much on one pattern, and one of the best versions is at Tong, in Shropshire, which may be given as an example-- “If that to Ring you doe come here You must ring well with hand and eare. Keep stroak of time and goe not out; Or else you forfeit out of doubt. Our law is so concluded here For every fault a jugg of beer. If that you Ring with Spurr or Hat A jugg of beer must pay for that. If that you take a Rope in hand, These forfeits you must understand. Or if that you a Bell ou’r-throw It must cost Sixpence e’re you goe. If in this place you sweare or curse, Sixpence to pay, pull out your purse: Come pay the Clerk, it is his fee; For one that Swears shall not goe free. These laws are Old, and are not new; Therefore the Clerk must have his due.” GEO. HARRISON, 1694. It is satisfactory to note that the rule against swearing was very generally included, though possibly honoured more in the breach than the observance; but it is probable that the objection to wearing a hat was more on the grounds of inconvenience to the ringers than of irreverence.