PREFACE.

THE following pages are reproduced from the columns of the High Peak News and the Buxton Advertiser. In newspaper form the notes met with favour, and in issuing them in book form it is hoped they may not be deemed an unwelcome addition to local literature.

To his Contributors the Editor presents his grateful acknowledgment. His best thanks are also due to his friend, Mr. T. B. TROWSDALE, for kindly preparing an Index to the work.

HULL LITERARY CLUB,

JANUARY, 1880.

THE EDITOR.

The Derbyshire Gatherer

OF

ARCHEOLOGICAL, HISTORICAL, AND
BIOGRAPHICAL FACTS, FOLK LORE, &c.

RINGERS' REGULATIONS.

In the olden time ringers had their regulations; they were chiefly in rhyme. We believe they date back to the Restoration. From Hathersage, Derbyshire, we have a good example :

You gentlemen that here do wish to ring,
See that these laws ye keep in ev'ry thing,
Or else, be sure, yet must without delay
The penalty thereof to th'ringers pay.
First, when you do into the bell-house come,
Look if the ringers have convenient room;
For if you be an hindrance unto them,
Fourpence you forfeit to these gentlemen;
Next, if you do intend here to ring,
With hat or spurs on do not touch a string;
For if you do, your forfeit is for that
Just fourpence, or else you lose your hat.
If you a bell turn o'er, without delay
Fourpence unto the ringers you must pay;
Or if you strike, miscall, or do abuse,

You must pay fourpence for the ringers' use;
For ev'ry oath here sworn, ere you go hence
Unto the poor you must pay twelvepence;
And if that you desire to be enroll'd

A ringer here, these orders keep and hold;
But whoso doth these orders disobey,
Unto the stocks we will take him straightway,
There to remain until that be be willing

To pay the forfeit and the clerk a shilling.

On account of the strict regulations, numerous persons, doubtless, would be fined; and, at many churches, the ringers had large jugs to contain the proceeds in beer, bearing curious inscriptions. The