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eminent ability, employed by our government to repel the factious spirit of the Caledonians who were hostile to this country at that time, and invaded many of the northern parts of this island.

"The following letter of the ingenious Dr. Harington, of Bath, strongly corroborates the authenticity of my father's being the author of the song in question: hearing from Mr. Sale, during my stay at Windsor, that the Doctor was in possession of this piece of information, I entreated him to make it known to me, which he politely and readily acquiesced in, saying—

" SIR,

"The anecdote you mention respecting your father being the author and composer of the words and melody of "God save great George our King” is certainly true; that most respectable gentleman, Mr. Smith, my worthy friend and patient, has often told me what follows, viz. "That your father came to him with the words and music, desiring him to correct the bass, which Mr. Smith told him was not proper; and at your father's request he wrote down another in correct harmony.' Mr Smith, to whom I read your letter this day, the 13th of June, repeated the same again. His advanced age and present in

firmity render him incapable of writing or desiring to be written to ; but, on his authority, I pledge myself for the truth. Should this information prove in the least advantageous to yourself, it will afford the most sincere satisfaction and pleasure to, " SIR,

"Your most obedient Servant,

"Bath, June 13, 1795."

"W. HARINGTON."

"P. S. My curiosity was often raised to enquire after the author before Mr. Smith related the above, and I was often misinformed. Mr. Smith says he understood your father intended this air as part of a birth-day ode, or somewhat of that kind; however this might be, no Laureat or composer has furnished the world with any production more complimentary or more popular, which must ever be the consequence of concise elegance and natural simplicity.

66 This Mr. John Smith was friend and assistant to Mr. Handel many years."*

* Schmidt, was born 1712, at Anspach, in Franconia, came to England with Handel, who was born February 24, 1686, at Halle, in Upper Saxony,

"Surely the foregoing letter wears the complexion of truth, and yet, either from envy or rigid scepticism, it has been held out by many as a matter of doubt, without one feasible authority or circumstantial argument that could render it so.

"Convinced of the infallibility of Dr. Harington's letter, I concluded on giving it a place here, referring the reader to the material and provident aid the song had often yielded to the King and state, in every critical situation; when lurking sedition had caused loud and dangerous murmurs to be daily heard in every house and every street, threatening defiance to the sword of Justice and her wise established laws, spurning at Majesty on his road to meet his mob-insulted senate, or annoying him in his public pleasures; yet, has the wavering subject been often called back to his original duty to his King, and the harsh and clamorous voice of anarchy lulled into a calm, by this divine, this popular, and national hymn." "*

John Ward speaks of "God save the King" in his account of the Professors of Gresham College, published 1740, where he gives a catalogue of Dr. Pepusch's music as follows: No. XVIII, 2 vols. 4to,

*Extract from a work called the Balnea.

Vol. I. folio 56, "God save the King," which is all that is there mentioned of it. It has been thought to be a variation of that gentleman's, composed on the above tune, but the Editor has not been able, at present, to meet with it.

The following popular song was first sung at Cliffden, in a Masque called Alfred, before their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, on the 1st of August, 1740; written by Mr. Thomson and Mr. Mallet, and set to music by Mr. Arne.

"Yet, e'er you go, in our lov'd country's praise,

"That noblest theme, hear what his rapture breathes."

AN ODE in the Masque of Alfred.

When Britain first, at Heaven's command,
Arose from out the azure main ;
This was the charter of the land,

And guardian angels sung this strain :
"Rule, Britannia! rule the waves;

"Britons never will be slaves.'

The nations not so blest as thee,

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Must, in their turn, to tyrants fall:
While thou shalt flourish great and free,
The dread and envy of them all.

"Rule," &c.

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Still more majestic shalt thou rise,

More dreadful from each foreign stroke;
As the loud blast that tears the skies,

Serves but to root thy native oak.
"Rule," &c.

Thee haughty tyrants ne'er shall tame :
All their attempts to bend thee down
Will but arouse thy generous flame;
But work their woe, and thy renown.
"Rule," &c.

To thee belongs the rural reign,

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Thy cities shall with commerce shine :
All thine shall be the subject main,
And every shore it circles thine.
"Rule," &c.

The muses, still with freedom found,
Shall to thy happy coast repair :
Blest isle! with matchless beauty crown'd,
And manly hearts to guard the fair.
"Rule, Britannia! rule the waves ;
"Britons never will be slaves."

It may not be unacceptable to give, in this place, some account of the Glee-Club, which was first held at the Newcastle Coffee House, Castle-street, in the Strand, December 22, 1787. The following gentlemen formed the original institution :

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