We've merrily rung for victories gain'd O'er Britain's enemies; Then mourned for the brave who bled To gain those victories. We've highly lauded pomp and power, Then call'd on men to pray, A requiem rung with the weeping and sad, Then revell'd with the gay. We've seen the scourge of civil war Approach where we have stood. We've seen oppression's cruel hand Reeking with kindred blood. Our solemn tolling for the dead Falls on the mourner's ear, Then the bereav'd and aching heart Feels desolate and drear. Dirges we've rung for Kings and Queens As they to the tomb went down, Then joyfully welcom'd the heir Who came to wear the crown. We saw the star of Brunswick rise And beam upon our strand, We see its full refulgent ray Illumine this happy land. Victoria the sceptre sways, And bright her virtues shine, Long may she live, long may she reign Best of her royal line. We joyfully hail'd her natal day, We hail'd her to the throne, We blithely hail'd her nuptial hour, For her we ne'er shall moan. We're taken from that turret grey Where we for long have hung, Like worn out lumber thrown away, Forever mute, each tongue. And now our changes all are rung Here ends our dying song; Our last our final peal is done: Farewell! Farewell! Ding Dong."[6] Laws of the Belfry. BY WILLIAM ANDREWS. The ringing chambers of many old churches contain curious rules in poetry and prose for regulating the conduct of the ringer and the visitor. Some of the orders are extremely quaint, and all appear framed as a ready means of obtaining money in fines to be spent in beer. In bygone times there appears to have been a close connection between the belfry and the cellar. One of the best examples which has come under our notice is from Hathersage, Derbyshire, and dates back to about 1660:-- You gentlemen that here wish to ring, See that these laws you keep in every thing; Or else be sure you must without delay, The penalty thereof to the ringers pay. First, when you do into the bell-house come, Look if the ringers have convenient room; For if you do be an hindrance unto them, Fourpence you forfeit unto these gentlemen. Next if you do here intend to ring, With hat or spur, do not touch a string; For if you do, your forfeit is for that, Just fourpence down to pay, or lose your hat. If you a bell turn over, without delay, Fourpence unto the ringers you must pay; Or if you strike, misscall, or do abuse, You must pay fourpence for the ringers' use. For every oath here sworn, ere you go hence, Unto the poor then you must pay twelvepence; And if that you desire to be enrolled A ringer here, these words keep and hold!