274 THE SHRINE OF ST. PATRICK'S BELL.
tized many thousands of the natives, planted churches in numerous places, founded schools and established monasteries.
His
most famous foundation is undoubtedly that of Armagh, the legend about
which is preserved in a celebrated old Irish manuscript known as the
Book of Armagh. The Saint begged of a certain rich man some high land
upon which to build him a church, but the rich man refused him the
hill, offering in its stead a lower piece of ground near Ardd-Machae,
and " there Saint Patrick dwelt with his followers."
Upon
all the churches which he founded Saint Patrick is said to have
bestowed bells, several of which under distinctive names have become
famous in history. One of these venerable relics, a small hand-bell
made of two iron plates, something over seven inches high and three
pounds ten ounces in weight, is known especially as the Bell of the
Will of Saint Patrick. It is with this small rude object, not unlike
the sheep-bell of to-day, that we have to deal.
