spondence with individuals residing in different parts of the kingdom, possessed of much local knowledge and good judgment. Besides securing the best existing tunes, you will thus be enabled to meet, as far as it is proper to meet, the wishes of your friends; and to insert tunes, the absence of which will certainly lead to the rejection of the proposed book. The neglect of this precaution has unquestionably been prejudicial to the hymn book; which, on account of the omission of local favourites, is excluded from not a few congrega tions. Not that a single hymn should have been inserted out of deference to any individual; or on any ground but that of its own merits; but there could be no propriety in leaving out a hymn that is really good, because known in one place only, or because its author happens to be living. And if you search the land, I imagine you will find tunes of a very high order, which no metropolitan has ever heard of; I could myself furnish several unknown in London, and not surpassed by any that are sung there.

Such visits will afford much assistance in forming a satisfactory judgment of the value of music recommended for insertion. It can be both inquired about and heard. To form a correct opinion of the merits of a tune, it is not sufficient for a man to take it into his study and examine it by the rules of musical composition, or try it on an instrument. It may be quite classical, and go off admirably in the parlour, and yet completely fail in public.

Then the principle of selection should be distinctly laid down.

1. Our good old tunes must of course form a part of the proposed collection, Abridge, St. Ann's, Doversdale, Ross, &c. &c. are fit for the Millennium.

2. Of tunes that are comparatively new, none should on any consideration be inserted, because they are popular; none should be admitted but those which, after several years trial by some choir, or congregation, known for their good taste, are found to grow in favour.

3. I think it would be desirable that all tunes that are quite new, say of two years age and under, should be peremptorily rejected. It is true that some choice melodies might thus be excluded; but such are the caprices of musical taste, and the counterfeit sometimes approaches so near to the genuine, that the best judges are liable to be deceived; whilst it would be a less evil to lay aside a doubtful tune for further trial, than to give currency to such trash as Lydia, Calcutta, &c. which, as some persons well remember, were sung on their first introduction on every occasion, and, to the great mortification of those whose auditory nerves are somewhat annoyingly adjusted, were lauded as the perfection of psalmody. We have abundance to make our selection from, and can afford to leave out not only whatever is middling, but whatever is doubtful, and though a thorough weeding should consign to oblivion two-thirds of the tunes in Rippon and Walker, that weeding must take place, if we would effect the improvement that is so desirable.

V. There is another question of very great importance to be considered; it relates to the directions to be given to the compiler, respecting the harmony which shall be adopted. Shall he have a

discretionary power? or, if he is to receive instructions, and what is the principle on which they shall proceed?

Are we at liberty to alter, either the air or the harmony of an anthor? If living certainly not, without his permission. If not living, however, I think that, if we notify it, we have. Such alterations, however, should be very sparingly made, and especially in the air, should not be made, till an unquestionably good case is made

out.

If the choir at Devonshire Square were to determine the matter, they would probably say, engage Mr. Novello at once, and leave the harmonies in his hands; there is nothing to be compared with the specimens he has given us. And if the writer were to consult his own taste alone, he would perhaps say aye. They are indeed exquisitely delightful. But there are several points which require to be well considered. Is there one congregation in fifty that could sing Novello's harmonies? and though there may be individuals in most, who could be trained to it, would it not require half a century to get the mass of the people up to the mark? It would be necessary both to destroy all their old associations, and create and highly cultivate a new taste. Their novelty and difficulty would both stand in the way.

Again, is it quite certain that such a style is most suitable for congregational worship-indeed, has there been time to prove its soundness? It may be strictly scientific and eminently chaste; and, for my own part, though I know I am incompetent to pronounce an opinion of the slightest value, I think it is; but has it undergone a sufficient trial, to allow even good judges to give a verdict?

Psalmody is a means to an end; its object is, to aid sacred poetry in exciting classes of feeling suitable to the varied exercises of devotion; and the harmony of a tune bears a similar relation to this object, which the style of a sermon does to its effect. As that is the best style which least diverts the mind from the truth, so that is the best harmony which does not obtrude its peculiarities of structure, &c. on our attention. Elegancies of diction may attract notice as much as vulgarities, and fine metaphors as much as coarse ones; and in either case the usefulness of a discourse is impaired. The analogy holds good in its application to music. I do not like, when singing the praises of God in the great congregation, to be compelled to think of the skill of the composer or the beauties of the composition; or even to have my mind involuntarily turned to admire the effect of the introduction of the sharp sixth, or the flat seventh, or similar niceties. Music has its " ampullæ et sesquipedalia verba," as well as eloquence, and they must be avoided. I would not for a moment insinuate that Mr. Novello's harmonies are chargeable with this fault, though I confess they do divert my mind from the sentiments to themselves, and I cannot help it. This, however, may be their effect on mere sciolists only like myself, and would probably be remedied by greater knowledge or familiarity. Nor do I intend to intimate, that the harmonies to be adopted should not be in advance of the existing taste:-the book ought to lead the way to a general improvement. Excessive refinement, however, is not

always improvement; and before great changes are attempted the ground must be made good.

With respect to our old tunes, I question whether for the purpose you have in view, which is not to gratify a delicate and critical taste chiefly, but to assist in awakening devotional sentiments, the original harmonies can be altered for the better. I am disposed to think that the harmonies of such tunes as those above-mentioned, are of a sufficiently high order for congregational worship. I have often been present where they have been so executed, as by the mere power which they have given to truth, to affect to tears of tenderness or joy a large assembly.

And if it should be determined to preserve unchanged the arrangements of our old tunes, there will still remain a wide field for the exercise of all the skill that can be mustered. A considerable number of very excellent airs is to be found, which are not established, and known only to a very limited extent; let such be given into the hands of such a man as Mr. N. to improve as much as possible. A gradual but certain improvement of psalmody will then be effected, without doing violence to old prejudices, and sacred associations. Let the matter, at all events, be well considered, before you commit yourselves; and happy shall I be, if the ignorance which may be displayed in this paper, does not deter some competent person from entering fully on the discussion.

There is one topic, Mr. Editor, to which, with your permission, I will just advert; I think it is high time for the tutors and committees of our dissenting colleges, to direct their attention to the importance of initiating all students into the elements of music. Surely it should form a branch of their regular studies. A few weeks since a letter was received from one of our most useful and intelligent missionaries, in which the following passage occurs. Speaking of a very devoted fellow-labourer, whose station he had just visited, he says; "He has a sad deficiency. He cannot sing, and his congregation make a most hideous bellow. It is a real misfortune in a missionary not to be able to sing! And in a missionary's education it ought to take the precedence of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew." I know that the professors in Spring Hill College, at Birmingham, are very anxious to establish a professorship of music. I fear, however, that the churches are not at present sufficiently alive to the importance of it, to furnish the means; permit me, therefore, to suggest to some of our wealthy friends who purpose giving donations or leaving legacies, that they may do an incalculable service, by directing its appropriation to this object.

I am, Mr. Editor, your's, &c.

MUSICUS.

FRAGMENTS OF PURITAN HISTORY.

No. IV.

Ir was observed in a former communication that Dr. Edwin Sandys, Bishop of Worcester, discovered, in the early days of Queen Elizabeth, formidable objections against the defective state of the Reformation, and expressed strong confidence that God would purify the English church of all the remnants of popery, the retaining of which, in his opinion," occasioned the greatest divisions." It was also remarked, that he raised so formidable opposition against retaining popish superstitions in the church, that he was in danger of losing her majesty's favour, and of being deprived of his bishopric. The right reverend prelate, finding that his principles exposed him to peril, changed his mind; and, being soon after translated to the bishopric of London, he unfortunately turned about, retraced his steps, and became a zealous, not to say a furious, persecutor of that cause which he so zealously promoted. This will appear from the following instances, transcribed from the originals in the bishop's own hand. The first is a letter to the Earl of Leicester and the Lord Treasurer Burghley, in which the prelate thus addresses their lordships:

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Right Honourable, -These evil times force me to trouble your good lordship. I do what I can to procure fit men to preach at the cross; but I cannot know their parts, and these times have altered opinions. Such as preached discreetly last year, now labour by railing to feed the fancies of the people, and have intoxicated them; and the flattery of the fantastical people hath bewitched them! Both seek dangerous alteration, thinking that their state cannot be impaired, and hoping that it may be bettered. One Crick, chaplain to the Bishop of Norwich, much commended unto me for learning and sobriety, of late called to the cross, there most spitefully inveighed against the ecclesiastical policy now by the law established, confirming Mr. Cartwright's book as the true platform of the sincere and apostolical church. So soon as I heard of this tragedy, I sent a messenger to apprehend him; my lord of Canterbury joined with me therein. And although he was conveyed away, yet we have taken such orders, as we doubt not but that he will be shortly met withal. On Sunday last, one Mr. Wake, of Christ Church, in Oxford, who the last year made a good sermon at the cross, and now called to do the like. He made no answer to the receipt of my letter, as he was required, until he came himself on the Saturday. And Sunday, in the morning, being conferred with, both by Dr. Walker and my chancellor, Dr. Hammond, and required to have consideration of these troubled times: and, for as much as her Majesty was in progress far from her city of London, that he would speak nothing that should turn to sedition, whereunto he answered, well, well. Notwithstanding being set on, and provoked thereunto, as was Crick before him, by such as are authors and maintainers of these new and seditious fancies; his whole sermon was consumed in

railing against the present state, and affirming to be good whatsoever Mr. Cartwright in his writings hath set down. On Monday I repaired to the city, and so soon as I heard hereof, I sent a messenger to seek him; but he was gone out of the town on his way toward Oxford. This man I cannot deal withal, by reason of the privileges of that university, and therefore must refer him to your lordships' wisdom to consider of.

"Truly, my lords, I have dealt as carefully as I could to keep such fanatical spirits from the cross; but the deceitful devil, enemy to religion, hath so poured out the poison of sedition, and so suddenly changed these wavering minds, that it is hard to tell whom a man may trust. But, by God's help, I will fetch out that heretic; praying that I may have authority from her Majesty, as some of my predecessors have had, and in her name to require such as are fittest for that place. Most part refuse to come thither: hard is it to get any. There is a conventicle, or rather a conspiracy breeding in London. Certain men, of sundry callings, and, as it were, in commission together, to procure hands to Mr. Cartwright's book, and promise to stand in defence thereof unto death. They came to Mr. Squire, master of Baliol College, in Oxford, and required his hand, who refused to give consent thereunto. If your lordships would call him, he would fully inform you hereof. If these seditious and tumultuous beginnings be not met withal in time, they will, in a short space, grow to great inconveniences. The city will never be quiet until these authors of sedition, who are now esteemed as gods, as Field, Wilcox, Cartwright, and others, be far removed from the city. The people resort unto them as in popery they were wont to run on pilgrimage. If these idols, who are honoured for saints, and greatly enriched with gifts, were removed from hence, their honour would fall into the dust; they would be taken for blocks, as they be! There be some aldermen and some wealthy citizens who give them great and stout countenance, and persuade what they can that others may do the like. A sharp letter from her Majesty would cut the courage of these men. Her Majesty's proclamation took none effect; not one book brought in. Mr. Cartwright is said to be hid in London, with great resort unto him. If the Lord Mayor, Alderman Rivers, with others, had commission to search out these matters, they would frankly do it. Dr. Wilson were fit for that purpose. The French ministers are meddlers in these matters. For Mr. Deering confessed to me, that he conferred with them touching the articles, before he delivered them to the council, and had their consent. A sharp letter from her Majesty or your lordships, to require them neither to meddle in matters of this state, nor to admit any of her Majesty's subjects to their communion, would be a good mean, in mine opinion, to work quietness. Secing that Mr. Deering is forbidden reading, I would have your lordships' pleasure whether I shall place another to occupy that room.

"Truly, my lords, it is high time to lay too your hands, if you mind the good of God's church, the safety of the state. You can hardly believe what parties are made, what mischief is minded. For my part I will do what I can, not in respect of mine own state,