48 On Church Bells. 



he, in conjunction with Elizabeth Fflowry 1 (or Flory), widow 

 of R. Fflowry, cast the seventh and eighth bells of the great Sabs- 

 bury peal; and that he also cast the fine tenor at Downton. 



The Corrs of Aldbourne were founders of church bells as early 

 as 1696, and although this foundry must have supplied a vast 

 number of bells in their days as well as in the days of their suc- 

 cessors, the Wellses, I cannot discover that any very great work 

 issued from their hands, compared with that of their brethren of 

 the craft at Salisbury. The seventh and eighth bells at Calne, 

 seven out of the fine peal of eight at St. Thomas's, Salisbury, are 

 some of the largest works of the Wellses. 2 Their epigraphs are of 

 a totally different character from those of the Salisbury founders, 

 and appear to be rather the composition of the clergy or of the 

 donors, e.g. at Aldbourne we find on the treble bell, 



" The gift of Joseph Pizzie and Wm. Gwynn. 

 Music and ringing we like so well, 

 And for that reason we gave this bell." 



"Me resonare jubent pietas mors atque voluptas." 



" On earth bells do ring, 

 In heaven angels sing- — Halleluiah." 



" My cheerful note aloft shall raise 

 To sound my Benefactor's praise." 



"The heart resolves, the hand obeys 

 To sound our mighty Maker's praise." 



1 It is just possible that this was Elizabeth Orchard, who married Richard 

 Fflorrey, the younger, at Great Bedwyn, on June 11th, 1660. Richard Fflorrey 

 was buried at Great Bedwyn, Sept. 14th, 1679, and Elizabeth Fflorrey was 

 buried at the same place, Oct. 16th, 1680. These dates will agree with the 

 Salisbury document. 



2 Extract from "The Marlborough Journal" newspaper, of "Saturday, 

 June 6th, 1772; vol. 2. No. 63." Among the advertisements is: — 



"At the BELL-FOUNDERY at Aldbourne, Wilts, CHURCH-BELLS are cast 

 in a most elegant and as musical a manner as in any Part of the Kingdom, the 

 Founder having made the Theory of Sounds as well as the Nature of Metal his 

 Chief Study ; also hangs the same finding all materials in the most complete 

 and concise manner ; And also Hand-Bells prepared and strictly in Tune in any 

 key. Horse-Bells, Clock and Room Bells, the neatest of their several kinds. 



Likewise Mill Brasses cast and sold at the lowest Prices. 



All orders will be punctually observed by Rob. Wells, Founder. 



(j^ He gives Ready Money and the best Prices for Bell Metal. 



