He rejected bells as used by Christians, trumpets as the summons of the Guebres, and finally adopted the human voice.

I have had equal doubt concerning my dinner-call.
Gongs, now in present use, seemed a newfangled and heathenish invention, and the voice of the female womankind I rejected as equally shrill and dissonant; wherefore, contrary to the said Mahommed, or Mahomet, I have resumed the bell.

It has a local propriety, since it was the conventual signal for spreading the repast in their refectory, and it has the advantage over the tongue of my sister's prime minister, Jenny, that, though not quite so loud and shrill, it ceases ringing the instant you drop the bell-rope: whereas we know, by sad experience, that any attempt to silence Jenny, only wakes the sympathetic chime of Miss Oldbuck and Mary M'Intyre to join in chorus." With this discourse he led the way to his dining-parlour, which Lovel had not yet seen;--it was wainscotted, and contained some curious paintings.

The dining-table was attended by Jenny; but an old superintendent, a sort of female butler, stood by the sideboard, and underwent the burden of bearing several reproofs from Mr.Oldbuck, and inuendos, not so much marked, but not less cutting, from his sister.
The dinner was such as suited a professed antiquary, comprehending many savoury specimens of Scottish viands, now disused at the tables of those who affect elegance.

There was the relishing Solan goose, whose smell is so powerful that he is never cooked within doors.