Chapter IV: Front Matter (4)

3. For the better observing the Ringing of _Changes_ or _Rounds_, these three things are to be noted.

1. _The Raising true in Peal._

2. _Ringing at a low Compass_; And

3. _Ceasing in true Peal_; All which three are the most essential Parts to render a Practitioner _Excellent_.

1. For _Raising a Peal of Bells true_, the modern & best Practice recommends the _swiftest and quickest possible_, every one taking Assistance to raise his Bell, as its going requires: The _lesser_ Bells as _Treble_, _&c._ being by main strength _held down_ in their first Sway (or pull) to get time for the striking of the rest of Larger Compass; and so continued to be strong pulled till Frame-high, and then may be slackned: The _Bigger_, as _Tenor_, &c. must be _pincht_ or checkt over head, that the Notes may be heard to strike roundly and hansomely. Observe that all the Notes strike round at one Pull: I do not mean the First; but 'tis according to the Bigness and Weightiness of your Bells: However in raising a Peal, do not let one _Bell_ strike before the rest, or miss when the rest do; this is contrary to the Strict Rules of _true Ringing_: And this is called _Round-Ringing_. Now if you design to raise a Peal of Bells for _Changes_, you ought to raise them to a Set-Pull, as the most proper for commanding the Notes, and he who is not well skilled to manage his Bell at a _Set-Pull_, will be apt to drop or overturn it, be in a Wood, and fruitlessly toil and moil himself. Therefore in practising the Setting of a Bell, cast your Eye about the other Bell-Ropes, during your managing your own, that you may accustome your selfe to manage it according to the _Change_.

2. For _Ringing at a Low Compass_, is thus observed: By keeping a due _punctum_ or beat of Time, in the successive striking one after another of every Bell; the _best Ringer_ being set to the _Treble_, that may guide and direct the rest of the Notes in their due _Measure_.

3. For _Ceasing a Peal of Bells_; Let them fall gradually from a set _Peal_, checking them only at Sally, till the low Compass renders it useless; and when so low, that for want of Compass, they can scarce strike at Back-stroak; then let the _Treble_-Ringer stamp, as a Signal, to notify, that the next time they come to strike at the Fore-stroke, to check them down, to hinder their striking the Back-stroke; yet Fore-stroke continued, till brought to a neat and gracefull Chime, which may be the _Finis_ to that _Peal_.

Thus much in short, for _Raising_, _Round-Ringing_, and _Ceasing_ a _Peal_ of _Bells_; I come next to lead you forth into that spacious _Field_ of Variety of _Changes_, and present you with Instructions that may be meerly necessary, for the right Understanding the several kinds of them.

Now in _Ringing Changes_, two of our best Senses, are to be employed, _viz._ The _Ear_, and the _Eye_: The _Ear_, Hearing when to make a _Change_; and the _Eye_ directing the _Bell_ in making it: The _Bells_ being the Object of the Former, and the _Bell-Ropes_ the Object of the Latter. And to render both the Eye and Ear Usefull in Ringing _Changes_, these _Five_ things are throughly to be Understood

_First._ Endeavour to distinguish the _Notes_ of a _Peal_ of _Bells_, one from another while Ringing.

_Secondly_, Learn to apprehend the Places of the _Notes_.

_Thirdly_, Understand the Precendency of _Notes_.

_Fourthly_, How to make a _Change_ in _Ringing_.

_Fifthly_, and _Lastly_. How to Practise the four fore-going Notions in General.

1. _To know the Notes of a Peal of Bells asunder_ (which is easy in _Round-Ringing_) in _Changes_ is thus: Get the skill of Tuning them with your _Voice_, by imitating their Notes while _Ringing_. Or if you are acquainted, either by your self or Friend, with some _Singing-master_, or one who has skill in _Singing_, get him to instruct you in the true Pitch of any _Note_, and aid your distinguishing them; otherwise you may be puzzled in this, to know which is _Treble_, which _Second_, &c. as in 532641, _&c._

2. To know the Places of the _Notes_, is no way better to be apprehended than thus: The Practitioner ought to form an _Idea_ in his Head of the Place of each _Note_, whether in a direct _Line_, or _Obliquely_; and representing them by a _Figure_ in his mind, see (as it were) by the Eye of his Understanding each stroke of the _Bell_, as the _Treble_, 1. _Second_ 2. _Third_ 3. _&c._ so that as the _Ear_ is to direct him, when to make the Change, so a right Apprehension of the _Motion_ and _Places_ of the _Notes_, ought to be a means to guide his Ear.

3. The Precedency of _Notes_, is of a very Obvious Demonstration; thus: In Ringing _Changes_, the Fore and Back-stroke, successively following one another, are properly said to _Lye behind_ one another, according to their places of striking. Or in short, in 12345. the _Note_ that leads either at Fore or Back-stroak, is said to _Lye before_ the rest, and the last to be behind. As the 2 is said to lye behind the 1, so it lyeth before the 3, as the 3 lyeth behind the 2, so it lyeth before the 4. And so of as many as are _Rung_.

4. The manner of making a _Change_, is very common, and needs no particular, but general Rule; That it is made by moving one _Note_ into anothers place, Up and Down, as Occasion requires; but all usually made by two _Notes_ standing one next the other, as hereafter may be Observed.

_Lastly_, In your Ringing _Changes_, these two things (in which consists the practick part of this Art) are to be rightly considered. _First_, Readily to know which two _Bells_ are to make the succeeding _Change_. And _Secondly_, to consider (if you are concern'd in it) what _Bell_ you are to follow in making it. To understand which the more perfectly, you must imprint in your memory, the Method of the _Changes_ prick'd in _Figures_, and to be expert likewise in setting them down divers wayes, and making any _Figure_ a _Hunt_ at Pleasure; and thus without pausing or hesitating to consider the Course, you may throughly understand the Methods; the Four preceding Observations being first perfectly understood.

There are two wayes of _Ringing Changes_, viz. By _Walking_ them, as the Artists stile it; or by _Whole-pulls_, or _Half-pulls_: _Walking_ is, when in one _Change_ the _Bells_ go round, _Four_, _Six_, or _Eight_ times; which is a most incomparable way to improve a young Practitioner, by giving him time to consider, which two _Bells_ do make the next succeeding _Change_, and in making it, what _Bell_ each is to follow; so that by this means (by his industry) he may be capable of Ringing at _Whole-Pulls_; Which is, when the _Bells_ go round in a Change at fore and back-stroke; and a new Change is made every time they are pulled down at Sally: This an Ancient Practice, but is now laid aside, since we have learnt a more advantageous way of hanging our _Bells_, that we can manage a _Bell_ with more ease at a Set-Pull than formerly: So that Ringing at _Half-Pulls_ is now the modern general Practice; that is, When one Change is made at Fore-Stroke, another at Back-Stroke, _&c._

I have one Thing more to add in these _introductory_ Rules, and that in short is this: He that Rings the slowest _Hunt_, ought to notify the _extreme Changes_; which is, when the Leading _Bell_ is pulling down, that he might make the Change next before the Extreme, he ought to say, _Extreme_. By this means, betwixt the Warning and the Extreme there will be one compleat Change.

_Of Changes_, &c.

There are _two kinds of Changes_, viz. _Plain Changes_, and _Cross-Peals_; which Terms do denote the _Nature_ of them; for as the first is stiled _Plain_, so are its Methods easy; and as the second is called _Cross_, so are its Methods cross and intricate: The First have a general Method, in which all the Notes (except Three) have a direct _Hunting-Course_, moving gradually under each other, plainly and uniformly: _Plain_ are likewise termed _single Changes_, because there is but one single Change made in the striking all the Notes round, either at fore or back-stroke. But the Second is _various_, each Peal differing in its Course from all others; and _in Cross-Peals as many Changes may be made as the Notes will permit_. In short, as to _Plain-Changes_, I shall not dilate on them here, it being so _plainly_ understood by every one that lately have rung a _Bell_ in peal; All therefore I shall add is this, That any two Notes that strike next together may make a Change, which may be done either _single_ or _double_, as you list. The _single_, by changing Two Notes; and the _Double_, by changing Four, _i. e._ Two to make one Change, and two another; which is however called _One double Change_, and not two Changes; because tis made in striking the Notes of the _Bells_ once round. For the rest, common Observation and Practice bids me stop here, and demands a Clearing those dark Intricacies which attend _Cross-Peals_.

_Of Cross-Peals._

_Art_, being a curious Searcher and Enquirer into the hidden and abstruse _Arcana_'s of Difficulties, having found out that dark and remote Corner of Obscurity, wherein the nature of these _Cross-Peals_ lay at first invelopped, has exhibited by its _Proselytes_ the ensuing Demonstrations of that which before lay mantled up in Doubt: And to effect this, these _Favourites of Art_ have, like ingenious Architects, made Order and Method the _Basis_, on which the whole Structure depends: For in these _Cross-Peals_ we must observe the _prime Movement_, which sets the whole Frame a going, and that is called the _Hunt_, which hath _One constant Uniform Motion throughout the Peal_, and different from that of the other Notes; and indeed by this the whole Course of the Peal is Steered. This keeps a continual motion through the other Notes, _i. e._ From Leading, to strike behind, and from thence again to Lead; which is called one _compleat Course_.

Some Peals upon _five Bells_ consist of _single_ Courses, wherein are ten Changes, and twelve Courses make the Peal. Others upon Five, consist of Double Courses, wherein are twenty Changes to every Course, and six Courses in the Peal.

Upon _six Bells_ there are likewise _single_ and _double_ Courses, _viz._ Twelve Changes in every single Course, as in _Grandsire Bob_, &c. and Twenty-four Changes in every Double Course, as in _Colledge Bobs_, that being the first Change of every Course, wherein the _Hunt_ leaves Leading: In short, judiciously observe the first Course of any _Cross-Peal_, and you will soon see the general Method of the whole Peal: All Courses in Cross-Peals agreeing in these following three Respects. First, _In the motion of the Hunt_. Secondly, _In the motion of the rest of the Notes_: And Thirdly, _In making the Changes_. Which three things being well (to omit Instances of Demonstration) and narrowly observed, will be very helpful both in pricking and ringing Courses; the first and third for directing you in Pricking them, and the first and second in Ringing them.

There is one _Difficulty_ to be removed e're I can come to prick down those _Peals_ I design to be the Subject of the Discourse of this _Epitome_, and that is, _How to make the first Changes at the beginning of each Peal_; I mean to make the _Second_, _Third_, _Fourth_, &c. _whole Hunts_; and this in short is thus directed: In any _Cross-Peal_ the _Whole Hunt_ may move either up or down at the beginning; and the Motion of the _Whole Hunt_, in the first Course of each of the following Peals, will direct the first Motion of any _Cross-hunt_, and by Consequence of making the first Changes in that Peal. Taking along with you this Observation.

That whensoever the first Change of any Peal happens to be _single_, it must be made at the back-stroke, to prevent _cutting Compass_; and the like when a double Change happens first in a Peal of _Triples and doubles_: But when it happens, that the first Change is made at the Back-stroke, then Consequently the Bells at the end of the Peal will come round at a Fore-stroke Change.

I shall omit speaking to any of the several _Peals_ on _four or five Bells_; for that in my Opinion little _Musick_ is heard, though much _practical Observation_ is made, from them; and therefore shall begin with _Grandsire-Bob_, as having mentioned it but just before in my general View I made of _Cross-Peals_.

_Grandsire Bob._

_Bob_ Changes take their Name from this, _viz._ When the _Treble_ leads in the _Second_ and _Third_, and the _Fifth_ and _Sixth_'s places, then they are called _Bob-Changes_. In Ringing which you are to observe these Rules, _viz._

Whatsoever Bells you follow when you _Hunt up_, the same Bells in the same order you must follow in _Hunting down_; as in the Changes here prickt, where the _Treble_ hunting up _First_ follow _Second_, then _Fourth_, and then _Sixth_; when it comes behind, _First_ follows _Second_, in hunting down _Fourth_; and when hunted up follows _Sixth_ in the same Order: The like may be observed in Ringing any other Bell, with this Difference betwixt the Whole-hunt and the rest, _viz._ Every time the Whole-hunt leaves the _Treble_'s place, and hunts up, it followeth different Bells from what it did at its first hunting up.

In the ensuing Peal here prickt are _Eighteen-score_ Changes, wanting one. It may be Rung with any _Hunts_, and begin the Changes _Triple_ and _Double_: You may make your Extreme at the first, second, or third _single Bob_; or the first, second, or third time, that the half and _quarter-hunts_ dodg behind; the _single_ must be made behind in either of these.

123456
------
214365
241635
426153
462513
645231
654321
563412
536142
351624
315264
132546
135264
312546
321456
234165
243615
426351
462531
645213
654123
561432
516342
153624
156342
513624
531264
352146
325416
234561
243651
426315
462135
641253
614523
165432
_bob._
156423
514632
541362
453126
435216
342561
324651
236415
263145
621354
612534
165243
162534
615243
651423
564132
546312
453621
435261
342516
324156
231465
213645
126354
123645
216354
261534
625143
652413
564231
546321
453612
435162
341526
314256
132465
134256
312465
321645
236154
263514
625341
652431
564213
546123
451632
415362
143526
_bob._
134562
315426
351246
532164
523614
256341
265431
624513
642153
461235
416325
143652
_bob._
134625
316452
361542
635124
653214
562341
526431
254613
245163
421536
412356
143265
142356
------
124536
125463
------
152643
156234
------
165324
163542
------
136452
_bob._
163425
------
136245
132654
------
123564
125346
------
152436
154263
------
145623
_bob._
154632
------
145362
_bob._
154326
------
145236
142563
------
124653
126435
------
162345
163254
------
136524
135642
------
153462
_bob._
135426
------
153246
152364
------
125634
126543
------
162453
164235
------
146325
_bob._
164352
------
146532
_bob._
164523
------
146253
142635
------
124365
------
123456
------

Thus much for the _Grandsire-Bob_; I shall next collect what _London Peals_ I think most Harmonious, and agreeable, without troubling my self to go to _Oxford_, or _Nottingham_, or _Redding_, to enquire after their different Methods of _Peales_, as indeed needless; and my reason is this: Because I think the same Rules for _Peales_ that are suitable to our _London Genius_, may challenge likewise an Acceptance amongst other _Cities_; provided their _Steeples_ are furnished with as many, and as good _Bells_, and their _Belfree's_ with as ingenious and elaborate _Ringers_ as here in _London_.

I shall begin then with _Peales upon Six Bells_, and herein in order, measure out the Delights on _Peals_ from _Six_ to _Eight_ Bells, and setting out early, present you with

_The Morning Exercise._

_Doubles_ and _Singles_. The whole _Hunt_ is the _Treble_, which _Hunteth_ up into the _Second_, _Third_, and _Fourth_ places, lying twice in each; and then lyeth still in the _Sixth_ place, having dodged behind, and makes another, and then _Hunts_ down as it _Hunted_ up, and then leads four times. Observing the manner of its Pricking, and its Practice, may excuse any further defining it.

123456
------
213465
213456
231465
231456
234165
234156
243516
243561
245316
245361
254631
254613
256431
256413
265143
265134
261543 [printed as: 265143]
261534
216543
216534
126543
126534
162543
162534
------
164352
164325
_bob._
163452
163425
------
165243
165234
156243
156234
------
154326
154362
_bob._
153426
153462
------
152643
152634
125643
125634
------
124365
124356
142365
142356
------
146532
146523
_bob._
145632
145623
------
143265
143256
134265
134256
------
136524
136542
_bob._
135624
135642
------
132465
132456
123465
123456
------

This will go a 120 _Changes_, and by making _Bobs_, 240, 360, 720.

_A Cure for _Melancholy_._
_Doubles_ and _Singles_.

I should think it needless to explain the method of prick'd Peales, and give a large Definition of them, when their plain Demonstration might be sufficient; However, as the Old _Phrase_ is, _Because 'tis usual_, something shall be said of this too.

The _Treble_ is the whole _Hunt_, as in the former, and leads four times, and lyeth behind as many, and twice in every other place; the two _Bells_ in the 3d. add 4th. places continue dodging, when the _Treble_ moves out of the 4th. place; untill it comes down there again, and then the two hindmost dodge, till the _Treble_ displaceth them; who maketh every double _Change_, except when it lieth behind, and then the double is on the four first, and on the four last when it leads. Every Single (except when the _Treble_ lies there) is in the 5th. and 6th. places; or if possessed by the _Treble_, then in the 3d. and 4th. places: Every _Bell_ (except the _Treble_) lies four times in the Second place: But enough; a word is enough to the Wise. See it here Deciphered.

123456
------
213465
213456
231465
231456
234165
234156
243516
245316
243561
245361
423561
425361
423516
425316
452136
452163
451236
451263
415236
415263
145236
145263
142536
142563
------
156423
156432
_bob._
165423
165432
------
143652
143625
_bob._
134652
134625
------
162345
162354
163245
163254
------
125634
125643
126534
126543
------
154263
154236
152463
152436
------
143526
143562
_bob._
134526
134562
------
156423
156432
_bob._
165423
165432
------
132654
132645
136254
136245
------
124365
124356
123465
123456
------

This will go _Six-score Changes_, but by making _bobs_, it will go 240, 360, or 720. The _bob_ is a double _Change_ at the leading of the _Treble_, in which the _Bell_ in the 4th Place lyeth still.

London Nightingale,
_Doubles_ and _Singles_.

The Whole-_Hunt_ is the _Treble_, who lyeth four times before, and as many behind, and twice in every other place: The two hind _bells_ continue dodging, when the _Treble_ moves down out of the _Fifth_ place, till he comes there again, the _bell_ in the _Fourth_ place lying still all the while: When the two hind _bells_ aforesaid leave dodging, then the two _First bells_ take their dodging places, till dispossessed again, by the return of the said Hind _bells_ to their dodging; and then they Cease.

123456
------
213465
213456
231465
231456
234165
234156
243516
423516
243561
423561
245361
425361
245316
425316
452136
452163
451236
451263
415236
415263
145236
145263
154236
154263
------
126543
126534
162543
162534
------
153624
153642
_bob._
156324
156342
------
134562
134526
_bob._
135462
135426
------
142356
142365
124356
124365
------
136245
136254
163245
163254
------
125634
125643
152634
152643 [printed as: 152634]
------
164523
164532
_bob._
165423
165432
------
143652
143625
_bob._
146352
146325
------
132465
132456
123465
123456
------

This will go 120, and by making _bobs_, 240, 360, or 720.

_Colledge Bobs._

In this _bob_, when the _Treble_ leaves the two Hind _bells_, they dodge till it comes there again, and till the _Treble_ gives way for the dodging again of the said two Hind _bells_, the two _First bells_ dodge, but after Cease dodging, when the two Hind _bells_ dodge.

123456
------
214365
124356
213465
231456
324165
321456
234165
243615
426351
246315
423651
246351
423615
243651
426315
462135
641253
642135
461253
416235
142653
412635
146253
142635
416253
146235
412653
421635
246153
241635
426153
462513
_&c._
165432
_bob._
156423
------
143526
_bob._
134562
------
152364
153246
------
126543
125634
------
164235
162453
------
143652
_bob._
134625
------
165324
_bob._
156342
------
132546
135264
------
124365
123456
------

_Another._

Here, every _bell_, when it comes to lead, makes a dodge before, then after one _Change_, it lyeth still; after it has made another dodge, it moves up into the _4th._ place, where twice it lyeth still; and down again; except the _Treble_ happens to dodge with it in the _4th._ place, then it _Hunts_ up behind. When the _Treble_ moves down out of the _3d._ place, the two _bells_ in the _3d._ and _4th._ place continue there, till the _Treble_ comes up thither again, the two hind _bells_ dodging in the mean time.

123456
------
214365
124356
213465
231645
326154
231654
326145
362415
634251
364215
632451
623541
265314
625341
263514
236154
321645
236145
321654
312564
135246
315264
132546
135264
312546
132564
315246
351426
534162
351462
534126
_&c._
153624
_bob._
135642
------
153462
_bob._
135426
------
153246
152364
------
125634
126543
------
162453
164235
------
146325
_bob._
164352
------
146532
_bob._
164523
------
146253
142635
------
124365
123456
------

Both these _bobs_ will go _One Hundred_ and _Twenty Changes_, and by making of _bobs_, they will go, 240, 360, or 720. And thus with little Variation, there are other _bobs_ may be made after the same manner, and afford as Admirable Musick, as possibly can be made on _bells_. I shall therefore hasten to finish this dayes Work, only first present you with this one more called,

The City Delight:
_Doubles_ and _Singles_.

The whole _Hunt_ is the _Treble_, and lieth as before in the _Nightingale_: When the _Treble_ moves out of the _3d._ place, the _Singles_ are made in the _2d._ and _3d._ places, till the _Treble_ repossesses his _3d_ place, and then behind, till it moves up again out of the _3d._ place. The two Hind _bells_ dodge, when the _Treble_ moves out of the _4th._ place, till he returns again; the _bell_ in the _4th._ place lying still all the while.

123456
------
213465
213456
231465
231456
234165
234156
243156
234615
243615
246351
264351
246531
264351
265413
256413
265143
256143
251634
251643
215634
215643
125634
125643
152634
152643
------
154326
154362
_bob._
153426
153462
------
156234
156243
165234
165243
------
164352
164325
_bob._
163452
163425
------
162534
162543
126534
126543
------
124365
124356
142365
142356
------
145623
145632
_bob._
146523
146532
------
143265
143256
134265
134256
------
135642
135624
_bob._
136542
136524
------
132465
132456
123465
123456
------

This will go as many _Changes_ as the last mentioned, by making _bobs_. And here I will shut up this dayes Peal, upon Six Bells with

The Evening Delight.
_Doubles_ and _Singles_.

The Whole-_Hunt_ is the _Treble_, and lyes as before specified, with this exception only: That it dodges in the _2d._ and _3d._ places, every time it _Hunts_ up, and down. Observe when _Treble_ goes to lead, and leaves of leading, the _bells_ in the _3d._ and _4th._ places lye still, _&c._ Note the pricking this _Peal_.

123456
------
213465
231465
213645
231645
236154
263154
236514
263514
265314
256341
265431
256431
254613
245613
254163
245163
241536
214536
241356
214356
124365
142365
124635
142635
------
146253
164235
_bob._
146253
164235
------
162453
126453
_bob._
162435
126435
------
124653
142653
124563
142563
------
145236
154236
145326
154326
------
153462
135462
153642
135642
------
136524
163524
_bob._
136542
163542
------
165324
156324
_bob._
165342
156342
------
153624
135624
153264
135264
------
132546
123546
132456
123456
------

This Peal will go 120 _Changes_, and by making _bobs_, as many as above.

Note that in all the foregoing Peals upon _Six bells_, the _bobs_ are double _Changes_, and made alwayes at the leadings of the _Whole-Hunt_. He that Rings the _Half-Hunt_, may best call _bob_ in all Peales.

I come now to the _Changes_ upon Seven _bells_, which though the seldom Practice of them might excuse my omitting them; yet because I promised to say somewhat of them, I shall be as good as my Word, (the Character of an Honest man) and present you with a couple of Examples, and then proceed to _Peales_ upon _Eight_: But this I must crave leave to premise, That Variety of _Changes_ may be prick'd upon Seven _bells_, as _Triples_, and _Doubles_, _Triples Doubles_, and _Single Doubles_, &c. and the same Methods may be prick'd upon _Seven_, as may be upon _Five_, the true difference of Proportion being observed; but to proceed.

_Dodging Triples._

_Triples_ and _Doubles_, and indeed all _Peals_ upon Six, may likewise go upon Seven _Bells_, thus,

1234567
-------
2143576
2415367
4251376
4523167
5432617
4523671
5432761
4523716
5432176
5341267
3514276
3152467
1325476
1352746

Plain Triples.

1234567
-------
2143657
2416375
4261735
4627153
6472513
6745231
7654321
7563412
5736142
5371624
3517264
3152746
1325476

In this all the Bells have a Hunting _Course_.

_Colledge Triples_, dodging before, and behind.

1234567
-------
2143576
2415367 [printed as: 2415357]
4251376
2453167
4235617
2436571
4263751
2467315
4276135
2471653
4217635
4126753
1462735
1467253
4176235
4712653
7421635
4726153
7462513
4765231

This _Peal_ thus prick't, will go, 84 _Changes_, and the _Treble_ leading, and the _Half Hunt_ lying next it, and a parting _Change_ (which is a _Double_ on the four middlemost of the Six hind _Bells_) being made, it will go 420, and by making _bobs_, 5040.

Thus much shall suffice for _Peales_ upon Seven _Bells_, I proceed to _Changes_ upon _Eight_.

_Peals of Eight Bells._

Without amusing our selves with what Notes are most _Musical_, to _lye behind_, we will come to the matter of Fact; for those Methods of _Peals_ that are prick't on _Six_, may be the same upon _Eight_, Observing only, that _Triples_ and _Doubles_ upon _Six_, must be _Quadruples_, and _Triples_ upon _Eight_. _Doubles_ upon _Six_, must be _Triples_ upon _Eight_, &c. Now then to our purpose of Demonstration; We generally give preference to things, as they are dignified with some eminent Title, and are ready to suppose they may have something more than ordinary, that merits such Esteem, whereof the Title is but a Sign, or Token; which Custome induced me to head my Discourse upon _Changes_ on _Eight Bells_, with that which carries the most _Swelling_ Title.

The Imperial Bob:
_Quadruples_ and _Triples_.

The _Treble_ hath a dodging _Course_, the two first, and two last _Bells_ always dodge, till hindred by the _Treble_, the two next to these, lying still one _Change_, dodge the next, till the _Treble_ hinders them too. Those in the 5th. and 6th. places dodge (the Treble being behind) and those in the 3d. and 4th. places likewise dodge (the Treble being before) and so till hindered by the Treble.

12345678
--------
21436587
12346578
21436587
24136578
42315687
24135678
42316587
24361578
42635187
24631578
42365187
24635817
42368571
24365817
42638571
24365871
42638517
24635871
42368517
24638157
42361875
24368157
42631875
24613857
42168375
24618357
42163857
41268357
14623875
41263857
14628375
14263857
41628375
14268357
41623875
46128357
64213875
46123857
64218375
46281357
_&c._
16847253
16482735
--------
18765432
_bob._
17864523
--------
16573824
_bob._
15678342
--------
17352648
17536284
--------
13274586
13725468
--------
12438765
12347856
--------
14826357
14283675
--------
18645273
18462537
--------
16587432
_bob._
15684732
--------
18753624
_bob._
17856342
--------
15372846
15738264
--------
13254768
13527486
--------
12436587
12345678
--------

By this method, the Peal will go 224 Changes, and by making of Bobs it will go 448, 672, 1344. The Bob is a _Triple_ Change at the Leading of the Treble, wherein the Bell in the _Fourth_ place lies still.

The next that comes to our Observation, and answers to what we first hinted at in the beginning of this discourse of Peals upon _Eight_ Bells I mean _Precedency in Title_, is the

Bob Major.
_Plain Quadruples_ and _Triples_.

In this all the _Bells_ have a direct _Hunting Course_, until the Treble leads, and then the six hindmost _Bells_ dodge.

12345678
--------
21436587
24163857
42618375
46281735
64827153
68472513
86745231
87654321
78563412
75836142
57381624
53718264
35172846
31527486
13254768
31527486

By this method this will go 112. And by making _Bobs_, 224, 336, or 672. The _Bob_ is a _Triple Change_, as in the foregoing _Imperial_ is specified. By making two _Extreams_ it will go 1344, and with four _Extreams_, 2688.

All Peals upon six Bells, wherein half the Changes are _Triples_, will go upon _Eight_ according the method before-going, thus; If it be a Peal upon _Six_, consisting of 360, or 720 Changes, then there must be five _Hunts_ in the Ringing of it upon _Eight_, the Treble being the first, 2 the Second, _&c._

Colledge Bob Major.
_Quadruples_ and _Triples_.

There is four wayes of Pricking these. The first hath single Dodging behind, and is thus Peal'd.

The First.

12345678
--------
21436587
24163578
42615387
46251378
64523187
65432817
56348271
53684721
35867412
38576142
83751624
87315642
78136524
71863542
17685324
16758342

The Second.

This hath Single Dodging before and behind, thus prickt.

12345678
--------
21436587
24163578
42615387
24651378
42563187
24536817
42358671
24385761
42837516
24873156
42781365
24718356
42173865
41237856
14328765
13482756

The Third.

This hath double Dodging behind, thus Prickt.

12345678
--------
21436587
24135678
42316587
43261578
34625187
36452817
63548271
65384721
56837412
58673142
85761324
87216342
78153624
71856342
17583624
15786342

The Fourth.

This hath double Dodging before and behind both thus.

12345678
--------
21436587
24135678
42316587
24361578
42635187
24365817
42638571
24368751
42637815
24367185
42631758
24613785
42167358
41263785
14627358
16423785

These may be prick't several other wayes, but that I Omit here for Brevities sake; The _Dodging_ is without Intermission, except an hinderance comes by the _Treble_; as likewise between two Bells, until _Treble_ parts the Fray. The _Bobs_ are _Triple Changes_, as the _Treble_ leads; in the _1st._ _2d._ and _6th._ the Bell in the _4th._ place lies still at the _Bobs_, and in the _3d._ _4th._ and _5th._ that in the _2d._ place lies still.

Each of these will go 112 Changes, and by making Bobs 224, 336, or 672.

Colledge Triples Dodging both before and behind.

This Peal is the same for _Bobs_, as the _Bob Major_, and will go as many Changes by making Bobs, or otherwise, as any of the foregoing Four, and is thus Peal'd.

12345678
--------
21436587
24153678
42513687
24531678
42536187
24563817
42568371
24586731
42587613
24578163
42571836
24517863
42157836
41275863
14725836
17452863

The Wild-Goose Chace
_Triples._

The Explanation shall follow the Peal; intending here to put an end to my _Epitome_ of the _Art of Ringing_, and therefore shall first present you with this Prick't thus.

12345678
--------
21536784
25163748
52613784
56231748
65327184
63572814
36758241
37625481
73265418
72356148
27531684
25713648
52173684
51237648
15327684
13572648
31752684
37125648
73215684
72351648

In this Change the 4th. Bell must first hunt up into the Sevenths place, and then the 4 and 8 alwayes dodge behind throughout the Peal, unless when obstructed by the _Treble_. The Bell that moves up into the 6th. place, when the _Treble_ moves thence down, lies still there, till displaced by the _Treble_; during which time the two hind Bells dodge, and the _five first_ go a perfect _Hunting-Course_: And when likewise the _Treble_ moveth out the 5th. place the five first Bells go a _Hunting-Course_, till it comes down there again: By this method it will go 80 Changes, and by _Bobs_ 160, 240, or 480. The _Bob_ is made as in the foregoing Changes.

And here I thought to make an end of the Art of Ringing, but _Cynthius aurem vellit_, the young Practitioner, whose only Information is hereby aimed at, plucks me by the Sleeve, and tells me in the Ear, That tho Peals upon six, as _Triples_ and _Doubles_, &c. make excellent Musick upon Eight _Bells_, 4 8, 6 8, 4 1, or 1 8 lying behind: Or, _Triples_ and _Doubles_ upon the six middle _Bells_, the _Tennor_ lying behind; yet for him who is not arrived to such a perfection of Skill, at to Ring these compleat Peals, the most proper and easy for him are _Set-Changes_, which are founded on these _Grounds_.

First, _Placing the Bells Fifths_; thus: The 4 must hunt up behind the 7, the 3, behind the 6, and the 2 behind the 5; Or the one may hunt down under the other, as the 5 under the 2, the 6 under 3, and 7 under 4: Or if you will, first let a _Single_, next a _Double_, and then a _Triple_ Change be made on the Middle _Bells_, all coming to the same effect; for then the Changes will lye _Fifths_ thus, 1 5, 2 6, 3 7, 4 8. In the Peal four _Concords_ are to be regarded, The first 1 5; the second 2 6. the third 3 7. and the fourth 4 8.

These four _Concords_ may go the Methods of any Changes upon four _Bells_; 1, 5 being taken for the _Treble_; 2, 6 for the _Second_; 3, 7 for the _Third_; and 4, 8 for the _Fourth_; and the _Concords_ may Change places with one another, as you list. In which this Observation is highly necessary, That the two Notes of every Concord must constantly attend each other in their Motion; that is, whenever one of the two Notes moves, the other must follow it.

Or Secondly, _Place the Bells_ Thirds; thus: The 6 4 and 2 must hunt up, or else the 3 5 7 down; or otherwise on the middle most _Bells_ let a _Triple_, _Double_ or _Single_ Change be made, they are to one effect; and then the _Bells_ will lie _Thirds_ thus, 1 3. 5 7. 2 4. 6 8. Herein are four _Concords_ observable; as in the former Peal, _viz_, 1 3. 5 7. 2 4. 6 8. These _Concords_ may go the Methods of any Changes upon Four _Bells_, 1, 3 being taken for the Treble; 5, 7 for the Second; 2, 4 for the third; and 6, 8 for the fourth; moving in the same manner as before shewed.

By these _Grounds_ Variety of excellent & Musical Changes are to be Rung; _Any Concord may be made a Hunt_, and to move up and down at the begining.

In Ringing these _Set-Changes_, the Note will lye sometimes _Fifths_, sometimes _Thirds_, and sometimes _both_, and then to _Clam_ them, is admirable Musick: Clamming is, when each _Concord_ strike together; which being done true the 8 will strike as but four _Bells_, & make a Melodious Harmony. You may _Clam_ two or three bouts, and then strike as many times Open, alternatively, one _Clam_ one Pull, and Open the next, _&c._

Thus much shall suffice for my treating of Ringing, and had not the Variety of its _Theme_, in which I was insensibly engaged, invited my Tast of something of every thing: I had not enlarged so much as I have; but I hope the pleasure it may produce, will attone for my dilating on so delightful a Subject; All I have therefore to add is, some _Advice_ to the _Ringer_, in the Lawfull prosecuting this _Recreation_; and that is this.

When God in _Israels Exodus_ out of _Egypt_, commanded _Moses_ to Consecrate _Aaron_, and his Sons, and invest them with those _Pontificial_ Vestments, according to the Pattern God had cut out, it is observable, that the _Robe_ of the _Ephod_, was with a particular Circumstance of Beauty to be Adorned, by hanging the _Hem_ of it with _Golden Bells_, and _Pomegranates_, each placed in an orderly Position, one by another round: This was the first institution we can read of, for the Use _Bells_ in Sacred Offices; but the reason was this: Because in _Aarons_ Ministration before God, when he entered into the Holy Place, and when he came out, the Sound of the _Bells_ might be heard in the _Temple_, for a _Memorial_ to the Children of his People. This Use of Bells continue in the _Aaronical_ Order, to this day. From hence the _Christian Church_ likewise (of which the Church under the _Mosaic_ Dispensation was but a _Type_) has made Use of _Bells_, for the notifying the Time when the People are to Assemble, and made a Signal for convocating them together to the _Temple_; and herein differing from the _Mahometans_, in the _Steeples_ of whose _Temples_, are never found any _Bells_, but _Cryers_, Persons who with a loud Voyce call them to Prayers.

Now then let us make this Use of the Institution of _Bells_. _First_, Let not only the _Musick_ and _Delight_ the _Bells_ give thee, invite thee to come to the _Temple_, to be partaker of that Pleasure they may afford thy Body, but let their _Musick_ invite thee to come thither when they call thee, to exercise thy Soul in Devotion; to God. Do not let thy frequent coming thither on _Week-days_ for thy Diversion, make thee absent thy self on _Sundays_ from thy Devotion; but let their Original Use make thee mindful of the _Sanctum Sanctorum_, the most Holy Place. Do not let the _Sunday_ Mornings Peal engage thy presence then, and the _Ale-House_ have thy company afterwards. Be as quick in hearing the _Chyming_ for _Prayers_, as thou art in the _Notes_ for _Pleasure_.

_When ere the _Old-Exchange_ of Profit Rings,
Her Silver _Saints-Bell_, of uncertain Gains,
Thy Merchant-soul can stretch both _Legs & Wings_,
How canst thou run, and take unwearied Pains?_

And shouldst thou not be as nimble, when the _Saints-bell_ of the Church sounds in thy Ears, and calls thee to attend the _Priest_, who now signifyes his entrance into the _Holy-place_, and invites thee to joyn with him in the Sacrifice of Prayers and Praises.

_Secondly_, Nor let the Bells be made thy Lullaby, to drown some Dissatisfaction, and so makes thee repair to the _Belfree_, (like the _Nurse_ to her _Whistle-Bells_) to quiet thy disturbed mind, and thus (as the Divine Poet excellently expresses it) to silence it with

Look, Look, What's here! A dainty Golden thing?
See how the dancing _Bells_ turn round, and Ring
To please my _Bantling_! here's a _Knack_ will breed,
An hundred Kisses; here's a _Knack_ indeed, _&c._

But let the _Altar_ have thy presence in Communion with God, in Prayers for his Grace, and Patience, to support any Calamity that may fall upon thee.

_Lastly_, Let the Bells put you in mind to contemplate on _Death_, and every time you Ring, think how long it may be ere one of these may be your turn to have to sound

_The Nine sad Knolls of a Dull _Passing-Bell_,
With the loud Language of a Nightly Knell._

This in short, is the use the _Ringer_ ought to make of this his Recreation, which if he makes duly and rightly, he may then Lawfully enjoy all the Benefit he can desire from it. And here I shall make an end of this Observation by way of Advice to the _Ringer_, which perhaps coming amongst Recreations may look unseasonable; But I know (at least presume) if I meet with an ingenious Reader, I shall need no Apology, for playing the Divine, in the directing the good Use of our Pleasures, and aiming at the furtherance of Virtue in all our Actions.

Thus much for _Ringing_.

Of Billiards,

_Italy_ is asserted by universal Consent, to have been the Country whence this Recreation took its Birth and Original; and indeed 'tis no wonder that she who is called the _Queen_ or _Empress of the World_, the _Mistress of the Nations_, nay _the Paradise of the World_, should yield such Art and Ingenuity, and gentile Cunning, as her proper Product: A Country whose Inhabitants for their _Gravity_, _Respectiveness_, and _Ingenuity_ will ever stand Chronicled in the Books of Fame. A People that are _obedient_ to their _Superiors_, _Courteous_ to their Inferiors, full of all _Civility_ to their Equals, _Affable_ to Strangers, and most desirous by all fair and friendly Offices to win their Love. In their _Apparel_ fine and modest, in their _Furniture_ of their Houses sumptuous, and at their _Tables_ neat, sober in _Speech_, Enemies of all _ill Reports_ of others, and so tender of their own _Reputation_, that whosoever Slanders any one, and it reach the Parties Ear, the Slanderer certainly dies for it: _Thrifty_ they are generally of their Money and Expence, and love no more Cost, than what they are sure to Save by, or have great Thanks for; but otherwise for civil Behaviour and Deportment, surpassing all the Gentry of the World besides. But one thing I dare not omit in this Character of them, _viz._ That they are extream _Jealous of their Wives_; and indeed not without some reason, if what is spoken proverbially of their Women, be true, That they are as _Magpies_ at the door, _Saints_ in the Church, _Goats_ in the Garden, _Devils_ in the House, _Angels_ in the Streets, and _Syrens_ at the Windows; if Nature does not make them appear Beautiful, Art shall, as Paintings and other sophistical Helps; whence comes this Proverb among them, If _God make them tall and Fat_ (a _goodly_ Woman being a Title of great Value among them) _they will make themselves fair_. In fine, The Gentry are very Rich, live of all Men the most careless and contented Lives, keeping the Poor as Drudges and Slaves for them; and as it is said of the Tyrant _Polycrates_, _Have nothing to trouble them, but that they are troubled with nothing_.

Thus I have given you a brief Character of the Inventors of this Recreation we are coming to treat of, and hence we may presume, how _fit_ such a People as this is, to give Birth to such a Recreation, so Gentile, so Cleanly, and so Ingenious, that as their Persons and Manners are emulously esteemed, so are their Pastimes ambitiously pursued, by most Nations in _Europe_; and this Sport is hugely valued by all in general, few Noblemen's or private Gentlemen's Families, nor few noted Towns in _England_, but have _Billiard Tables_, and admire the Excellency of it, both for the Exercise of the Body, and the Recreation of the Mind. But to the Matter in hand.

_First_ then, He that would rightly understand this excellent Pastime, must be very careful of the _Form_ and _Make of the Table_, and the right ordering, framing, and fitting it for the Game, which is known by these ensuing Marks.

1. The _Form_ of a _Billiard Table_ ought to be _Oblong_, that is to say, somewhat longer than it is broad; Both the length and breadth being left to your Discretion to make; proportionable to the Room you design it for; It ought to be _railed_ round, and this Rail or Ledge a little swelled or stufft with fine Flox or Cotton, that may yield to the Ball when struck against it, and expedites rather than deads the Flight of the Ball; though that happens according to the Violence of the Stroke or Push: The _Superficies_ of the Table ought to be covered with Green fine Cloath, clean and free from Knots: The Board must be levelled as exactly as is possible for the Eye and Hand of the most curious Joyner to Level, to the end your Ball may run true upon any part of the Table, without leaning or declining to any side of it: I must confess I do believe there are few have been so careful in this last thing, as they ought, because they have not timely foreseen, if the Boards, whereof the Table is made, be _well-seasoned_, and not subject to _Warp_, and that the _Floor_ whereon it stands be even and level; so that through the Ill-seasonedness of the one, or Unevennes of the other, as likewise in time by the weight of the Table, and the Gamesters yielding and giving way, there are very few found true. And indeed without a Table be exactly true, a good Gamester can never shew the Excellency of his Skill and Art, but a very Bungler sometimes, by being well acquainted with the Turnings and Windings of a false Table, may beat a good Gamester with great vexation and shame, who otherwise would have given him any odds whatsoever. Therefore let me tell you, it will conduce as much to the Interest of the Master of the House, where a _Billiard Table_ is kept, to see that it be well and truly levelled and kept, as it does to the Pleasure and satisfaction of a good Gamester, whose Skill is best seen and exhibited on such Tables, and never comes unattended with Company and Profit to the House, by his Recommendation he gives abroad of it. And now let us proceed to the rest of its parts, and fit it for our Play; and then let's to't as you list.

2. The four Corners of the Table must be furnished with _four Holes_, and exactly in the middle of each side _one Hole_, and these Holes must be hung at the bottoms with _Nets_, Which Holes are named _Hazards_, because if either by Skill or Chance one Gamester strikes anothers Ball into these Holes, or Hazards, as we will now call them, he wins One; the _Nets_ are made to receive the Ball, and keep them from falling to the Ground when hazarded; and indeed is a very commendable way, far better than _Wooden_ Boxes which some use, these being apt to let a Ball to fly out again, when they are struck in by a stiff stroke, whereas the Nets keep them safe, and makes it impossible for them to rebound.

_3dly._ The other _Utensils_ and _Instruments_ belonging to this first part of our Observations of the _Billiard Table_, are 1. An _Ivory Port_, this must be placed at one end of the Table. 2. An _Ivory King_, which must stand at the other end. 3. Two _Ivory Balls_, which must be compleatly round, or no good proof of your Play can be expected. 4. and Lastly, _Two Sticks_ made of _Brasile_, _Lignum-Vitae_, or some other weighty Wood, to make them heavy, and at the broad end tipt with Ivory: And be sure to observe narrowly, if the _Heads_ be tight and fast, for if they should be loose you will never strike a smart stroke; and therefore if you fear this Defect, see if your stroke be hollow and dead, and your Ball run faintly, these are infallible Tokens that your Play will come to nothing without a fresh supply of other Sticks, or the heads of these fixt.

Thus much for the Table, and all the other Implements belonging to it, which are necessary for our first Enquiry for the right understanding of this Game, I come next to those _Rules_ and _Measures_ which are to be observed for the rendring one a Gamester at this gentile Game.

_Secondly_, This Game in its _Number_ is, according to the _Place_ and _Time_, when and where it is play'd; for in Gentlemens Houses they do not oblige themselves to a certain Number, but make as many as they please to admit up without any Restriction: But in Houses where part of their Subsistence has a Dependance upon a _Billiard Table_, the Game is _Five_ by Day-light or _Seven_, if odds be given, and _Three_ by Candle-light, or more, as the Rule of the House is. Now then having agreed upon what number we play, let us learn next how to manage our Game skillfully and with Art, and this we may understand by these following Rules.

1. Let us know who must lead, which thus is resolved: You must stand on the one side of the Table opposite to the (so called) King, with your Ball laid near the Cushion, and your Adversary on the other placed in the like posture; and thus He of the two, that comes nearest the King, leads first.

_2ly._ Having gotten the Lead, have a Care how you strike your Ball, that at the first stroke you touch not with your Ball the end of the Table, leading from the King to the Port, for if you touch it you lose One, as you shall observe hereafter in the Orders. But after the first Stroke you need not fear doing it: And you Leader be sure to lead so, that you may be in a possibility of passing the Port the next Stroke; or else to lye so cunningly, that you may probably hazard your Adversaries Ball the very Stroke you play after him.

_3ly._ Generally the first Contest is who shall _pass first the Port_, and herein much Pains is taken, and all the Art and Cunning possible used to do it, and sometimes, nay frequently, an Opportunity of a _Hazard_ ends the Controversy: Sundry and various, as well as very pleasant, are the Policies and Tricks which are here used to obstruct each others Pass, as; _By turning the Port by a strong clever stroke_ (the Sticks turning it, it is nothing, but to set aright again is the amends, though some would have the severity of the Orders inflicted on such an Offence by the Loss of One:) Next by _laying your Ball_ (when you see it impossible to pass) _in the Port_, or _before your Adversaries Ball_, for then let him do his utmost, he must Pass after you; if he has Past first, and you dare not venture to follow him, as fearing he should in the mean time touch the King, and so carry away the End; then you must wait upon him, and watch every Opportunity how you may hazard, or king him: Kinging of him is, when his Ball lyes in so advantageous a manner, as that if you strike his Ball, he must inevitably strike down the King, then you win, and prevent the Loss of that End: But with this Caution however, That you be careful how you strike, for if you do king him, and your Ball happens to fly over the Table, or into a Hazard, you shall lose One notwithstanding you have King'd him; and therefore a skillful Precaution must ever be had in this, and he that would prevent any such Chance, must

_4ly._ Have a _curious Eye_, and a _good Judgment_, to take and quarter just so much of the Ball, that when he intends either to King or Hazard his Adversaries Ball, he may with Facility & Dexterity effect either. Which Observation must be noted, in passing on your Antagonists Ball, or corner of the Port: And indeed some are curious Effectors of this part of the Recreation, who with less than a fifth part of a Ball, will rarely miss a King or Hazard; which I must confess is an excellent part of a compleat Gamester in this Sport.

_5ly._ Be careful that you _lay not your hand on the Table_ when you strike, nor let your Sleeve drag upon it, if you do it is a Loss; Or if you _smoke a Pipe of Spanish or Virginia_, being so wedded to that Fume, that were you sure to smother all the rest of the Company you are insensible of the Indecency, be careful that the Ashes fall not on the Table, lest the Cloth be burnt, which many times falls out: In these two Cases, let the Mulcts and Forfeitures of both, but especially the Hinderance the last gives a Man in the Skillful managing his Game, deter you from the lolling slovenly Posture of the first, and the stinking Indecency of the latter; because this Pastime being of a neat and cleanly Composition, will not admit any such Irregularities and Indecorums, without an absolute Violation of its Laws, and a Punishment attending such unhandsome Offences.

_6thly._ As this cleanly Pastime exacts our diligent Care of keeping a _Decorum_, in the prosecuting the same, so does it require that we handle our Instruments with a neat and tractable hand, dislikes a Clumsey-Fist, which palms the Stick, as if he were handling a _Plough-share_: And therefore when you strike a long stroak, hold your stick neatly between your two fore-Fingers and your Thumb, and then strike a smart stroak; and by taking a steady and right Aim, (in this having your Eye and Judgment about you) you may when you list, either fetch back your Adversaries Ball, when he lyes fair for a Pass; or many times, when he lyes behind the _King_, and you at the other end of the Table, you may by a dextrous management of your stroke, _King_ him backward: Both which ways, I must confess, require a great deal of Care, and good Play, which he that would be, or already is, a Gamester, is never wanting in. But

_7thly_, If you lye close, then the small end of your Stick, or the flat of the big end, raising up one end over your shoulder, is practicable and useful, and either of them to be used, as Occasion shall require, and as you judge most convenient and proper for the working the Effect you Aim at.

_8thly_, There is one Fault, which tho its Demerits perhaps may not reach a Forfeiture, yet I must tell you will scarce admit of an Excuse, though this I presume is regulated according to the Agreement first stipulated between the Gamesters, and this Fault is called _Raking_, _i. e._ not striking your Ball cleanly, but gliding along, as it were; But in this, if you touch your Ball twice, it is a loss; as indeed repugnant to all _Rule_ and _Method_.