This dislike of spirits to bells is mentioned in the Golden Legend, by Wynkyn de Worde. "It is said, evill spirytes that ben in the regyon of thayre, doubte moche when they here the belles rongen; and this is the cause why the belles ben rongen when it thondreth, and when grete tempeste and outrages of wether happen; to the ende that the fiends and wycked spirytes shold be abashed and flee, and cease of the movynge of tempeste." Another author observes, that the custom of ringing bells at the approach of thunder is of some antiquity; but that the design was not so much to shake the air, and so dissipate the thunder, as to call the people to church, to pray that the parish might be preserved from the terrible effect of lightning. Warner, in his history of Hampshire, enumerates the virtues of a bell, by translating the lines from the "Helpe to Discourse:-- "Men's death's 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 doe disperse; Men's cruel rage I doe assuage." [Illustration: The Curfew Bell.] Four of the bells of the ancient Abbey of Hexham were dedicated or baptised; and although the old bells no longer exist, the legends upon the whole six have been preserved, and a free translation given by Mr. Wright, is as follows:-- 1. Even at our earliest sound, The light of God is spread around. 2. At the echo of my voice, Ocean, earth and air, rejoice. 3. Blend thy mellow tones with mine, Silver voice of Catherine! 4. Till time on ruin's lap shall nod. John shall sound the praise of God. 5. With John in heavenly harmony, Andrew, pour thy melody. 6. Be mine to chant Jehovah's fame, While Maria is my name. These epigraphs or legends on bells, are not uncommon. The Rev. W. C. Lukis, in his notices on church bells, read at the Wilts Archaeological Meeting, gave the following instances:-- At Aldbourne, on the first bell, we read, "The gift of Jos. Pizzie and Wm. Gwynn. "Music and ringing we like so well, And for that reason we gave this bell." On the fourth bell is,-- "Humphry Symsin gave xx pound to buy this bell, And the parish gave xx more to make this ring go well." A not uncommon epigraph is,-- "Come when I call To serve God all." At Chilton Foliatt, on the tenor, is,-- "Into the church the living I call, And to the grave I summon all. Attend the instruction which I give, That so you may for ever live." At Devizes, St. Mary, on the first bell, is,-- "I am the first, altho' but small. I will be heard above you all." And on the second bell is,-- "I am the second in this ring, Therefore next to thee I will sing." Which, at Broadchalk, is thus varied:-- "I in this place am second bell, I'll surely do my part as well." On the third bell at Coln is,--