There was a pious hierarchy of ringing: the bells of a convent could not sound when the bells of a church pealed.

They were the vassals, and, respectful and submissive as became their rank, they were silent when the Suzerain spoke to the multitudes.

These principles of procedure, consecrated, in 1590, by a canon of the Council of Toulouse and confirmed by two decrees of the Congress of Rites, are no longer followed.

The rulings of San Carlo Borromeo, who decreed that a church should have from five to seven bells, a boy's academy three, and a parochial school two, are abolished.

Today churches have more or fewer bells as they are more or less rich....