Lyra Britanhica. A Collection of British Hymns. Printed from the
genuine texts, with biographical sketches of the hymn-writers. By Rev. C. Rogers, LL.D., F.S.A., Scotland. (Longmans.)—We really can give no other account of this volume than- that it is Sir Roundell Palmer's book, plus much Calvinism and more rubbish. Mr. Rogers seems to think that the world cannot have too many hymns, or too many verses of each hymn ; and he finds fault with Sir Roundel' for having "so frequently subjected the hymns selected by him to a process of curtail- ment." We have referred to some of the instances that he mentions, and we have no hesitation in saying that either on the ground of tame- ness, or affectation, or incongruity, the verses cut off are better away. But there may be a difference of opinion on this point ; some people may say that a hymn is a hymn, and should be given as it was originally written, and that an editor is not justified in lopping. Mr. Rogers may get some credit on this ground ; but we are sure that he will satisfy no one of the justice of his exclusions and admissions, or of the propriety of his allotments of space. Isaac Williams and John Henry Newman are shut out entirely. Mr. Tupper and his family occupy more than twice the space that is assigned to the author of the Christian Year; and a whole host of people that nobody ever heard of rear their fronts on high and chirrup tunelessly. We cannot imagine that this collection will be acceptable to any who can distinguish between a good hymn and a bad one.
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