Malta.
The following note in connexion with the baptism of bells may be
interesting, as it shows the manner of working, at that time.
{344}
Among the _Centum Gravamina_ offered to Pope Adrian in 1521 by the Princes
of Germany, as given in Herbert's _Henry VIII._, p. 139., this is the
51st:
"That suffragans used to baptize bels under pretence of
driving away divels and tempests; and for this purpose did
invite many rich godfathers, who were to touch the rope while
the bell was exorcised, and its name invoked (unto which all
the people must answer). And that a banquet was used to be
made thereupon, at the cost of the layicks, amounting in
little towns to a hundred florins, whither the godfathers were
to come, and bring great gifts, &c., whereas they desired that
the said bels might be baptized not onely by suffragans, but
by any priest, with holy water, salt, herbs, without such
costs."