'gfpc gr^urcfp ^BcCCo of por^ct. 



By Canon RAVEN, D.D., F.S.A. 



S now the idea of recording the inscriptions on the 

 bells of this county is beginning to assume a 

 practical form, and those of one Rural Deanery 

 are completed, it will be useful to make a start by 

 giving some account of what may be expected as 

 the ground is more and more cleared. 



When I sent my communication, entitled " On 

 some Dorset Bells," to the Secretary of the Royal Archaeological 

 Institute, for their Dorchester meeting in 1S97, ^ expressed a 

 hope that Dorset might be added to the published counties, but 

 I had not dared to anticipate that a body like the Field Club 

 would so energetically throw itself into the task. On this 

 occasion, with much gratitude, I send a few prefatory remarks, 

 on the lines of the original paper, enriched by what has been 

 lately found in the Rural Deanery of Dorchester, Dorchester 

 Portion. 



If not cast within the county boundaries, the bells must have 

 been imported by sea or by land. But ports were few and 

 insignificant. " Lyme Regis," says Camden, " can scarcely be 

 reputed a sea-port town or haven." Bridport he passes over 

 with hardly a word of notice ; while Bishop Gibson mentions 

 its being barred with sand. INIelcombe was a port till its 



