Handbell before a Corpse

It is usual, at the funeral of any member of the University of Oxford, for the University marshal and bellman to attend in the character of *mutes*. As the procession moves along, the latter rings his bell at about half-minute time. I have witnessed it also when the deceased has been one of the family of a member of the University, and when he has been a matriculated person. I have never considered it as anything but *a cast of the bellman's office*, to add more solemnity to the occasion.