"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." W. W. Malta. 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." H. T. ELLACOMBE. Clyst St. George. Will MR. GOLE oblige me and your readers with a reference to the _Golden Legend_, from which he has sent a quotation bearing on bells and storms. H. T. ELLACOMBE. Clyst St. George. _Exercise Day_ (Vol. vii., p. 205.).--The extract from the borough chamberlain's accounts, referred to by your correspondent LEICESTRIENSIS, relates rather to a religious assembly or meeting established by authority in the reign of Elizabeth, and designed as a check on the growing tendency towards Puritanism, which marked that period. In this diocese (at that time the diocese of Chester) Bishop Downham instituted a "monthly exercise," which was confirmed by his successor Dr. Chadderton, in an injunction bearing date Sept. 1, 1585. (See Appendix to Strype's _Annals_, vol. i.) It is there decreed that all parsons, vicars, curates, and schoolmasters shall resort to this exercise, there either to speak or write; and certain penalties are enforced on any neglect of its observance. In the churchwardens' accounts of this parish is an entry of similar import to that quoted by LEICESTRIENSIS: "1656, Pd. for minister diner at the exercise day, 00.00.06," the only perceptible difference being in the degree of hospitality extended to the clergy by their entertainers. JOHN BOOKER. Prestwich.