136 Transactions. 



proceeded with, which was continued until nearly one o'clock in the morn- 

 ing. And on the signing of the treaty the year following the door was 

 again broken, and the bells pealed forth heartfelt thanks ; nor did the joy- 

 ous sounds cease until daybreak. Next day also was devoted to rejoicing, 

 and the ringing was continued at intervals until night. The treaty proved 

 abortive, and the celebration of victories continued. 



9lh November, 1805. — News of the glorious victory obtained over the 

 combined fleet of France and Spain on 2 1st October by Lord Nelson. The 

 bells set ringing, and continued until about four o'clock in the morning. 

 The joy much damped by the death of Lord Nelson. 



The same diary contains instances of a different kind : — 



3rd Jaimary, 1794- — At twelve o'clock the late Provost Robert Maxwell 

 was buried in the Old Churchyard, on which occasion the great bell 

 tolled. 



Monday, 25th July, 1706. — This day at twelve o'clock went to the burial 

 of Robert Burns, who died on 21st, aged 38 years. The great bells of the 

 Churches tolled at intervals during the time of the procession. 



SfhJamiary, 1795. — About eleven o'clock at night was alarmed by the 

 ringing of the fire bell, on account of a house that was on fire in the 

 Kirkgate. 



1.H January, ISOl. — This day has been appointed for the Union with 

 Ireland to take place, in celebration of which the Volunteers, Nottingham 

 Militia, and 4th Regiment of Dragoons turned out at twelve o'clock and 

 fired a. feu de joie. The bells were likewise rung on the occasion. 



Prominent mention is made of the bells in Mayne's Siller Gun — 



And while the muster roll was calling. 

 And joy bells jowing, 

 ' Het pints, weel spic'd to keep the saul in. 



Around were flowing. 



The merry bells, in jocund chime, 



Rang through the air. 

 And minstrels play'd, in strains sublime. 



To charm the Fair ! 



Nor fife nor drum 

 Was heard, save when the fire-bell rang 

 For some foul lum ! 



The bell-ringers were carefully chosen men, and several of them 

 are mentioned as having received commendation and reward for 

 faithful services, but the most remarkable was Thomas Wilson, 

 known as " Blind Tom." He was blind from infancy. Being 

 appointed to the office of bellman at the early age of 12, he per- 

 formed the duties during the long period of G3 years, and died in 

 1825 at the age ot 75. It might almost be said that he died at 

 his post, for he fell down insensible of his last illness in the bell- 

 house, and probably the peal then rung by his own hand was to 

 him the last experience of sweet sound. lie rang the bells of 

 Dumfries, it is said, more than one hundred thousand times, and 

 with the regularity of the clock itself, only once making a mistake 



