Duet. (S. C.) 'Into joy He turns my gladness'
Quintet and Chorus. (S. S. C. T. B.)
Recit. (S.) There were shepherds'

Air. (S.) And lo! the angel'

'Tu, di grazia'

An Anthem Passione

(Duet. (C. C.) 'How beautiful are the feet'
Chorus. Break forth into joy'
Duet. (S. C.) Quoniam tu solus'
Trio. (S. C. B.) O remember not'
Quartet (S. C. T. B.) and Chorus.
Recit. (S.) When thou art absent'
Air. (S.) With thee th' unsheltered moor
Trio. (S. S. C.) 'Words are weak'
Chorus and Quartet. 'Swell the full chorus'

A glance at the above TABLE of CONTENTS will

show that the Editor has brought together a number of pieces of Sacred Music-for chamber, not church use-which may exercise agreeably the skill of a domestic or friendly circle, however composed as to numbers or ability, and be found 'profitable to ends beyond their own proper efficacy.' In carrying out this design he has sought to form, not a collection of curiosities, but a household sacred music book-a volume of pieces, some familiar, some unfamiliar, some few perhaps quite unknown to the average musical student, but all presenting some points of beauty and interest, and all being within the reach of executants of fair musical endowment and culture.

The volume contains solos, duets, trios, quartets, quintets, chorales, and choruses, in the performance of which every variety of voice will be of necessity called into requisition, singly or in combination with others; these pieces being selected from the works of twenty-one composers, foreign and English, of the last and present centuries. Among them the largest space has been given to the works of HANDEL, the single composer of the highest order (perhaps also the first of that order) who has set English words in any considerable number, and more especially the words of the English Bible, to music. It was obviously desirable that a collection like this-aiming at something besides an aesthetic character-should consist for the most part of pieces with English words, a result always attainable, no doubt, by translation; but always so attained, even when the exchange is made from a less to a more musical tongue, at a considerable sacrifice of just expression, and even of musical beauty. No skill, no

Solomon

HANDEL. HASSE.

HANDEL.

NAUMANN. BATTISHILL.

HAYDN.

HANDEL.

care in the adaptation to music of fresh words, can ensure the reproduction of that perfect accordance of notes and words which characterises the setting of the best masters. On this account the pieces, which follow, set originally to Latin or Italian words, have in nearly every instance been left intact; translation having been applied only to those originally set to German or Frenchlanguages, to the musical use of which, especially of the latter, English amateurs are comparatively unaccustomed.

The pieces by HANDEL, whether individually familiar or not, have been selected mostly from Oratorios or other works which are rarely or never publicly performed entire. Some of these works, however inferior in sustained interest to those which now exclusively engage public attention, contain some of the most beautiful and even the most popular pieces of their author. Thus 'Angels ever bright and fair,' perhaps the greatest favourite of all HANDEL's airs, forms part of Theodora, an Oratorio which no one of the present generation can have heard adequately performed. other hand, the most familiar of HANDEL'S Oratorios contain pieces of great interest which are always omitted from public performance, either from want of time, or because the composer has re-cast them into forms which his audiences have been more willing to accept. The Sacred Oratorio' (Messiah) especially abounds in these pentimenti, some specimens of which are inserted in the present volume.

On the

With a few unimportant exceptions, all the pianoforte accompaniments have been expressly arranged from the original scores.

An Introduction to the Study of National Music; comprising Researches into Popular Songs, Traditions, and Customs. By CARL ENGEL, Author of 'The Music of the most Ancient Nations.' Pp. 448, with Frontispiece and numerous Specimens of Music. 8vo. price 16s. cloth. [November 30, 1866. Traditions, caused by the progress of civiliTHE gradual distortion or loss of ancient

sation, renders it desirable to explore the field of National Music before many tribes, which still retain their characteristic airs, become extinct.

The present volume is an attempt to traverse the whole of this field, in reference chiefly to the study of National Songs, in combination with popular poetry, &c. A description of the most remarkable musical instruments, illustrated by engravings, the Author hopes to give in a subsequent volume. In the present work he has confined himself to the task of showing the forms and characteristics of the various musical compositions, as well as the affinities which may be traced between the music of distinct tribes and nations, and the method in which the more elaborate fabrics of great musicians have been raised from the simple foundations furnished by the traditional airs of the people.

In this survey the Author has treated chiefly of music still extant; the history of musical compositions and instruments in use before the Christian era, which have been greatly modified or have wholly passed away, the Author has given in his work on the Music of the most Ancient Nations.'

In tracing the growth of scientific music, the Author has introduced some interesting examples from the works of our great musical composers, in which the rules derived from the study of National Music are either observed or disregarded.

The work is throughout illustrated by specimens of the music of every nation or tribe of which the writer has found it necessary to take notice. These SPECIMENS being all arranged for vocal or instrumental performance, with, in several instances, a pianoforte accompaniment, will, it is believed, be found to add greatly to the interest and utility of the work for reference as well as study.

Our Sermons: an Attempt to consider familiarly, but reverently, the Preacher's Work in the Present Day. By RICHARD GEE, M.A. Oxon. Vicar of Abbot's Langley, and Rural Dean; Author of 'From Sunday to Sunday.' Fcp. 8vo. pp. 354, price 68. cloth.

THE

[October 11, 1866.

HE present work has been written with a view to meet the many criticisms which in these latter days are passed upon preachers and their sermons. No attempt is made to show that all criticism is unjustifiable, or that the strictures, which are so numerous, are quite unfounded. The writer tries to prove that preaching generally is of more value to the Church than is commonly allowed, and that the clergy of the present day are not unfitted for the great undertaking. A slight examination is made of the sermons of other days, and of the elements of a good style in pulpit composition. The many little points of propriety which are so often discussed are separately considered, and a hope is entertained by the writer that clergy and laity may be brought somewhat nearer together in their idea of what a sermon in the present day should really be.

Among the various topics considered, chapters are specially given to the Tone of our Sermons; the Prerequisites of the Preacher; Preaching of the Chapel; Preaching Extempore; Preaching Morality; &c.

THI

Sunday Afternoons at the Parish Church of a University City. By A. K. H. B. Author of The Recreations of a Country Parson.' Crown 8vo. pp. 322, price 3s. 6d. cloth. [November 27, 1866. THIS Volume contains a selection from the discourses preached by the Author at the Church of the ancient University City of which he is Incumbent, on the Sunday Afternoons of the last twelve months. It begins with an Essay, not before published, on the aspect and associations of the venerable edifice in which the discourses were given. The ecclesiastical revolutions which have passed over Scotland have made the worship of that Church, during the 750 years it has stood, vary in the most decided way.

B

The discourses treat subjects of various character. Though they were addressed to an academic audience, the parochial element prevails in the large congregation which heard them: and the Author has sought to make these discourses suitable for all readers. Some of them treat topics of present controversy in the Scotch Church or of general interest and most of them deal with matters of permanent importance. It will probably be found that, in point of style and treatment, these discourses belong to the same class with those contained in former Volumes by the same Author. The following is the Table of Contents:

THE

of the Acts have been, first, to supply whatever information may be required by the English reader, in order to understand the text; and, secondly, to assist him in drawing practical inferences from the Word that was given to make us 'wise unto salvation.'

A commentary intended for general readers should present, in a condensed and intelligible form, the substance of whatever information is contained in works accessible to scholars. The English reader ought, as far as possible, to be put into the position of a well-informed person living in the time and speaking the language of the original writer of the book. The allusions, which were then understood by all, should be carefully explained; manners and customs illustrated by reference to contemporary authors; and the forms in which the faculties of the human mind were then moulded and developed by the schools of philosophy and religion,

should be compared and contrasted with those of our own age. Without presuming to hope that this commentary will satisfy all these conditions, the Author ventures to assert that they have been constantly present to his mind; that the attempt to meet these wants has been made conscientiously and diligently; and that frequent examinations of school teachers have made him aware of the peculiar difficulties which this book presents to intelligent English readers, and of the misapprehensions into which they are apt to fall.

He has felt it necessary to append practical and devotional suggestions to each chapter. In the well-meant endeavour to acquire clear notions about the topography, history, and manners which the Author describes, the reader is sometimes apt practically to lose sight of the fact that every word and thought is recorded for his spiritual improvement, and that the Holy Scriptures must not only be marked and learned, but inwardly digested. It might, perhaps, have been more prudent to make a selection from the writings of divines, than to present his own reflections to the reader, but this part of his work has been truly a labour of love; and he trusts there is no presumption in hoping that thoughts, suggested by a careful study of Holy Scripture, may be not unprofitable to his brethren. He has not failed to read what has been written by great and holy men on the subject, nor has he hesitated to adopt any suggestions from their writings which seemed likely to assist the reader in discovering the treasures deposited in these pages of inspiration.

Lyra Britannica; a Collection of British Hymns, printed from the genuine Texts, with Biographical Sketches of the Hymn-Writers. By the Rev. CHARLES ROGERS, LL.D. F.S.A Scot. Crown 8vo. pp. 712, price 12s. 6d. cloth.

[November 30, 1866,

THIS is the first attempt to arrange the hymn

ology of the United Kingdom in combination with the personal history of the several Authors. The volume contains memoirs of 232 hymn-writers, frequently founded on original materials, procured by editorial research. There are about 700 hymns, including compositions contributed to the work by living hymn-writers of reputation. All the hymns have been transcribed from the most approved editions of the different Authors; and alterations of the text have been carefully avoided. The proof-sheets have in many instances been revised by the living hymn-writers and the survivors of deceased Authors. The authorship of nearly all the popular hymns, hitherto anonymous, has been ascertained. Authors' names are arranged in alphabetical order. The volume is printed in old English letter, on toned paper.