Famous Hymns and their Authors. By Francis Arthur Jones. (Hodder
and Stoughton. 6s.)—Mr. Jones has manifestly taken much pains with this book. Perhaps we might say that the most novel feature in it is to be found in the grouped illustra- tions. If most of the literary and biographical information may be found elsewhere, it has certainly been conveniently arranged. The hymns are classed according to the subjects with which they are concerned, the order used being a combination of the natural and the ecclesiastical. The book may be read with much profit; though it does not pretend to solve the many difficulties with which the subject of hymns is surrounded, it cannot fail to exercise a beneficial influence on opinion. The commercial element is, of course, one of the causes of offence. The owners of one very popular collection prohibit, we understand, its pub- lisher from bringing out any new hymns. This system of pro- tection may be very useful in maintaining the value of an important piece of property, but it does not tend to edification. Then there is the vexed question of alteration. Changes that cannot be defended on any ground are frequently made; yet some most useful hymns could hardly be used exactly as they were written. One of the most famous hymns in the world, "Dies irae dies ills," is certainly improved by omitting "testa David cum Sibylla."
Previous page
