226 ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS 



Without attempting anything like a catalogue, let us 



arrange some of the Border bells in order of founding : — 



1601. — One of the earliest is a hand-bell, diameter 5-^% inches, 



now in Hawick Museum. It bears the figure of a head 



in helmet, and the initials R - S - I - D - HAWICK. 



On the soundbow : 



IAN - BVRGVR - HVYS - HEFT ■ MEY - GEGOTE - ANNO - 1601 



The inscription, on the soundbow, is followed by a small 

 figure of a head with two faces. 

 1608. — At Melrose, another Burgerhuys hangs in a plain, square, 

 " bird-cage " belfry, upon the gable of the south transept 

 of the Abbey Church. This bell is inscribed : 



SOLI ."*DEO . GLORIA . IAN . BVRGVRHVYS . ME . FECIT . 1608. 



It is rung every Sunday at 9 and 10 a.m. by a man who 

 goes up and strikes it with the clapper, or the old clock 

 hammer. The clapper is original, but much worn, and 

 the lip badly chipped. The bell's diameter is 16^ inches, 

 and its note — B flat. The belfry is probably of tte same 

 date as the bell. 

 1609. — Almost identical is the bell at Maxton, dedicated of old 

 to St. Cuthbert. Hung in a plain " bird-cage " belfry, 

 on the West gable, it is rung on Sundays at 10 and 12. 

 The diameter is 19 inches, and the inscription runs : — 



SOLI . DEO . GLORIA . IAN . BVRGERHVYS . ME . FECIT . 1609. 



1609. — At Earlston, another Burgerhuys lies disused in the 

 Church tower. It is inscribed : — 



IAN . BVRGERHVYS . ME . FECIT . 1609. SOLI . DEO . GLORIA. 



1632, — The bell at Stichill Church bears : — 



SOLI . DEO . GLORIA . 1632. BVRGERHVYS . ME . FECIT. 



1643. — At Yetholm Church there is another Bux'gerhuys, 

 15 inches in diameter, 13 inches in height, inscribed : — 



lOHANNES . BVRGERHVYS . ME . FECIT . 1643. 



1647. — At Smailholm Church the bell is inscribed : — 



MICHAEL . BVRGERHVYS . ME . FECIT . SOLI . DEO . GLORIA . 

 SMELLEM . 1647. 



1659. — Although probably not a Burgerhuys, the parish of 

 Eccles formerly boasted a fine bell, with the inscription : — 



"FEARE god YEE PEOPLE OF ECCLES. 1659. I.R." 



Unfoi'tunately this bell became cracked, and has been 

 recast. 



