[147] "Church Bells of Brigham," _Transactions_, Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian Society, vol. 14, p. 283. It seems strange that there was no reliable bell-founder in Kendal, where, in the seventeenth century, there was a goodly number of workers in metal. (See _Boke off Recorde_.) Of these the Washingtons were apparently the most accredited workmen. A Richard of the name "besydes Kendal" at the Dissolution, bought the house of the Friars in Penrith, with its bell. (_Transactions_, Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian Society, vol. 6, p. 435.) The Richard of the next century was busy with arms during the Civil Wars, and worked for Rydal Hall. Mr. R. Godfrey ("Westmorland Bells," _Transactions_, Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian Society, vol. 6, p. 84) considers that the Crosthwaite bell, dated 1695, was cast by Christopher Hodson in Kendal. In the preceding century one of this name (spelt Hodgson) appears among the freemen of the city, while a John and a Robert stand in the later list of freemen armourers and hardwaremen, though the mark for "foreigner" stands after their names. At Grasmere, procrastination prevailed. The wardens, in 1723, admitted "The Bells are not firme & in good order, but they are agreed to make them good as soon as possible." In 1727 they again admitted the bells to be out of order, but the ropes (it was declared) were "good & firm." In 1729 the bells still waited to be repaired "upon a convenient opportunity." In 1731 the great plunge into expense was at last taken. "One of our bells is in good order, The Other two are recasting at York & the ropes are making, & everything hastning forwards to have them in good order." Accordingly, the accounts for 1732 show the enormous outlay incurred of £40 3s. 9-1/2d., and next year of £49 3s. "Towards Casting the Bells and other Charges;" besides £3 14s. 5d. for "Charges for a Ringing loft." It is of interest to note that the Grasmere folk, in their bell troubles, returned to their old ecclesiastical centre at York, whence their first bells would come, and where there were good founders. The inscriptions on the two largest bells, in an ornamental border running round the crown, are as follows:-- GLORIA IN ALTISSIMIS DEO 1731 ED HIRD JOH WILSON GEO HE HIRD WIL RIGG MACKERETH CHURCH E Seller WARDENS Ebor in. dia. SOLI DEO GLORIA 1731 E Seller Ebor Each bell carries besides on the waist below the founder's name, the arms and crest of the Flemings of Rydal. Arms: _Gules, a fret, argent_. Crest: _A serpent nowed, holding a garland of olives and vines in his mouth, all proper_. Motto: PAX, COPIA, SAPIENTIA, on a shield 5-1/4 by 3-3/4 inches. [Illustration: Arms of the Lo. Fleming Family on the Great & Middle Bells.] Information about our bell-founder may be found in Mr.