THE NATIONAL ANTHEM :—(LETTER TO THE EDITOR.)
London, January 6, 1862. Sin,—The article upon "National Anthems" in the last number of your journal, induces me to direct your attention to the following passage in Mr. T. Raikes's Journal, published in 1856:
"Our national anthem of God save the King,' composed in the time of George L, has always been considered of English origin; but, on reading the amusing Memoirs of Madame de Crequy,' it appears to have been almost a literal translation of the captive which was always sung by the Demoiselles de St. Cyr when Louis XIV. entered the chapel of that establishment to hear the morning prayer. The words were by M. de Brinon, and the music by the famous Sully. It appears to have been translated and adapted to the House of Hanover by Handel, the German composer
" Grand Dieu, soave le Roil
Grand Dieu, venge le Roil Vive le Roil Que toujours glorieux, Louis victorieux, Voye sea emternis Toujours soumis ?
Grand Dieu, sauve le Roil Grand Dieu, venge le Roil
Vivo le Roi !'
Yours obediently, S. J. C."
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