History was present at the meeting, and on the same evening the following impromptu doggerel appeared in the St. Leonards Gazette.
On Friday afternoon, at three, was heard the Town-hall bell,
And why 'twas heard at such a time we now proceed to tell.
The Mayor (Thomas Ross, Esquire), a meeting did convene,
To speak of those discordant bells - St. Clement's bells, we mean.
At first, a very few were there; but, shortly, more came in,
And then his Worship lost no time the business to begin.
He read a note received by him from Mr. William Ransom,
Regretting he could not be there, in terms polite and handsome.
Squire Phillips said that those old bells gave out discordant sounds,
And that a new peal might be had for thrice one hundred pounds;
Then moved that 'twas expedient to purchase and to fix
In Clement's tow'r a peal of eight instead of present six.
A ready seconder was found in Mr. Henry Dunk,
Who spoke ecclesiastical, as any worthy monk;
He'd give his mite, he thought 'twas right to thus support the motion;
And we could trace in many a face agreement with such motion.
Two worthy aldermen - to wit, Will Ginner and James Rock -
Spoke well in favour of the scheme; but mindful of the clock,
Did say their say in bus'ness wy, and finnished(sic) each his ditty
By advocating there and then a suitable committe.
The said committee to have pow'r subscriptions to collect
To furnish old St. Clement's tow'r with brand new bells; in fact,
To undertake in ev'ry way whate'er might needful seem,
And carry out in full detail that all important scheme.
The motions having duly passed, as if by one consent,
To nominate committee-men was next their full intent.
Which one by one was fairly done, without the least demur,
And if you wish to know their names, we'll tell you who they were.
Of course the Rector would be one, as also would the Mayor,
And to exclude the overseers would not at all be fair;
The Sidesmen and Churchwardens, the Vestry-clerk, as well
With Messrs. Alterton and Rock - good judges of a bell.
