LOCHMABEN BeLLS, 99 



no remains are now visible, stood within the present churchyard. 

 From thence the bells were transferred to the new fabric on its 

 completion in 1819. As at Holy wood, one of the bells is long- 

 waisted, and the other is short in the waist. The first measures 

 19 inches in diameter at the mouth and 12 at the shoulder, 20f 

 in height, and 2 in thickness at the soundbow ; estimated weight, 

 2 cwts. 1 qr.; note, G ; inscribed. The latter measures 22 inches 

 in diameter at the mouth and 12 at the shoulder, 18J in height, 

 and 2 in thickness at the soundbow ; estimated weight, 2 cwts. 

 1 qr.; note, E flat; uninscribed. 



The shoulder of the long bell is inscribed + Johannes adam 

 ME FECIT + , and over the soundbow fancifully arranged in 

 couplets of letters at the four cardinal points of the compass is 



AV 



the Angelic Salutation and dedication ia(^em The letters are 



AR 



moulded Lombardic capitals on slightly raised square plates; and 

 it is a peculiarity that the inscriptions and the letters composing 

 them are reversed so as to read from right to left. To account 

 for this it may be suggested that the inscriptions bad been 

 omitted to be provided for on the " thickness " at the proper 

 stage in preparing the mould, and as the only way of rectifying 

 the omission the letters were impressed on the interior of the 

 " cope," with the result of reproducing them on the bell reversed. 



Both bells are peculiar as to shape. The short one shows little 

 swell on the upper part of the waist, but the lower part sweeps 

 outwards, forming a wide mouth, with an unusually quick and 

 deep curve. The long bell may be regarded as notable in this 

 respect, being probably longer in proportion to its width than 

 any other in Britain. A bell at Mitford in Northumberland is 

 mentioned in A Book about Bells as of very elongated propor- 

 tions, whose height is equal to the width. Lochmaben bell sur- 

 passes this, for its height measures almost two inches in excess of 

 the diameter at the mouth. 



The marks connecting the pair are numerous. It has been 

 seen that the bells are of equal weight, breadth of shoulder, and 

 thickness of soundbow ; the musical notes are in accord, the lip 

 and shoulder mouldings agree, and both bells are flat on the top. 

 The most impressive characteristic, however, common to both is 

 the peculiar design of the cannons, showing a rope-like twist. 

 The conclusion seems unavoidable that the bells were designed to 



