A Peal of Bells

In No. 8. of your interesting and valuable journal, I find a query, from the Rev. A. Gatty, relative to a peal of bells. Now the science of bell-ringing being purely English, we can expect to find the explanation sought for, only in English authors. Dr. Johnson says peal means "succession of sounds;" and in this way it is used by many old writers, thus:— "A peal shall rouse their sleep."—Milton. And again Addison:— "Oh for a peal of thunder that would make Earth, sea, and air, and heaven, and Cato tremble." Bacon also hath it:— "Woods of oranges will smell into the sea perhaps twenty miles; bu…