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Show Quaint Bell Superstitions For many years it was believed that the ringing of bells dispelled thunder. Uecords of I'nglish churchwardens occasionally oc-casionally have reference to this iden. In those of Sandwich, dated ll-'.l. an item is set down for bread and drink supplied to "ryngers in the great thun-derwig." thun-derwig." Many and various were the ancient oHices of bells. According to some monkish couplets the mottoes of a chime, one hell says, "Men's death I tell, by doleful knell"; another, "The winds so fierce I do disperse"; nnd 11 third. "Lightning and thunder I break asunder." Kural bell ringers often have a great affection for their bells, and In the superstitious way of their fathers ascribe to euch some special virtue. |