222 ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS 



Society of Antiquaries of Scotland when visiting Kelso, 

 at once, however, recognised its worth, and gave it 

 publicity in his careful Notice of an Ancient Celtic 

 Ecclesiastical Bell. In size, and shape, it is y)ractically a 

 facsimile of the Birnie bell, and the bell of St. Ringan. 

 When struck it still gives out a not unmusical sound, 

 and as one listens, it is pleasant to detect the tones of 

 a voice which once perchance heralded the advent of the 

 first pioneers of our Holy Faith among the heathen 

 Picts and Scots on Tweedside, or summoned the early 

 converts to their orisons. 



Mediaeval Bells on the Eastern Borders are rare. 



An old Sanctus bell, 18 inches in diameter, 

 Mediaeval 14" inches in height, hangs in the town 

 Bells. steeple at Jedburgh. It is now used as a 



fire-alarm, but the inscription tells its 

 own tale : 



•I* CaMPANA \ BeATE \ MaRGARETE •; VlRGINIS.^ 



The Swinton Church bell, still in use, is also ancient. 

 It was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and is inscribed 

 MARIA EST NOMEN MEUM, 1499.- (Plate X.) Another 

 Mediaeval, in all probability, was the old church bell at 

 Ayton. A provoking reference to this bell occurs in our 

 Transactions. "Bearing an inscription in ancient letters," 

 it was brought before the Club for inspection in 1868, 

 but Doctor Hardy adds — " our time was too limited to 

 make any attempt to decipher it." The Secretary tells 

 me it has since disappeared. 



The Northumbrian belfries yield richer results. To 

 note several recently visited, there is the fine old bell at 

 Eglingham of date 1489, dedicated to St. Anthony, and 

 inscribed ; 



ANTONIS ES MINEN NAME IC BEN GEMACET NIT JAHR 

 MCCCCLXXXIX, 



^ Watson's Jedburgh Abbey, 99. 



^ Vid. Art., by F. C. Eeles, F.S.A. Scot. Hist. Review, April, 1911. For 

 the acGompanying Illustration we are indebted to James Maclehose, Esq. 



