THE "IN MEMORIAM" METRE. [To THE EDITOR OP TH2 "SPECTATOR.")
Sin,—There is a fine example of the "In Memoriam" metre in an anonymous poem of the seventeenth century which I found among the "Luttrell Ballads" in the British Museum,
and published in the Athen.Tion of March 14th, 1857, with special reference to the General Election then impending. It mast be entirely forgotten now, and perhaps you may be disposed to give it a new lease of life by reprinting it. In-
ternal evidence shows it to have been composed early in 1660, in prospect of the election of a free Parliament. It is mani- festly the work of no mean poet or unpractised writer, and
good poets were so scarce at that time that I feel inclined to attribute it to Andrew Marvell. It is most unlikely that
Tennyson should have seen it before he wrote "In Memoriam." I have no doubt, however, that he was well acquainted with Lord Herbert of Cherbury's verses, and may further observe that some very beautiful ancient lines, sung in every church in the Kingdom, though not of the same length as those of "In Memoriam," follow the same arrangement of rhymes :— "His praise declare
Ye heavens above, And clouds that move In liquid air."
—I am, Sir, &e., British Museum, January 16th, E. GA.ENETT.
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