IT is a great pleasure to me to have the privilege of addressing you this afternoon on the subject of Clock Jacks or Quarter Boys as they are frequently called. In my two papers on Chimes and Chime Tunes, I felt that there was little of musical interest that had not been dealt with, but after further research I found that Clock Jacks were of special historic interest, and also that the bells used and the notes played by them were worthy of the attention of musicians. Much of the information I

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... about to place before you is the result of very careful investigation, and in this I am gratified at being able to add to what I have already done for the Musical Association in my previous contributions, making the series more complete and more useful. I intend to use these papers together with lectures delivered at the Royal Institution, as the basis of a serious work on the subject of Bells, Carillons, and Chimes. In my quest for information I have found many difficulties. Generally, the clergy, who have under their care and control documents of the greatest value, have shown utter indifference to their responsibilities. In a number of instances I have applied ro the organists of the various cathedrals and churches, and I am pleased to say that invariably they have rendered me every assistance in their power. The word " Jack " has been used with many meanings, but the only one we need consider is its special application to clock automata. A Jack, then, is a mechanical figure controlled by a surroundings intensify the incongruity. Bells specially designed and accurately tuned should have been used, and with much better musical effect, whatever difficulties there might be regarding the strength of the blow the Jacks were capable of. RYE PARISH CHURCH, SUSSEX. Two oak " quarter boys," 4 ft. 85 in. high, placed above the clock dial. The clock (pendulum 18 ft. long), with which they are connected, is said to date from the time of Queen Elizabeth, but the present movement does not substantiate this. Tradition says it was purchased in 1560, and that it was made at Winchelsea. The two bells struck by the " quarter boys " are dated 1761 and 1801, their notes being Gt and Fit, the hour strike being E. OXFORD (CARFAX TOWER).