MUSICAL PUBLICATIONS. [Published by Messrs. Casitza, Basra, and Co.] A

Set of Four-Part Songs. Composed by Henry Smart.

Mr. Smart's Set of Four-Part Songs consists of four numbers- " Morning," "Hymn to Cynthia," "Cradle Song," and "The Joys of Spring." The madrigal, the part-song, and the glee, are three forms of vocal composition nearly akin, and yet distinguished by differences which it is easier to perceive than to describe. They all agree in this, that they are purely vocal, and repudiate all instrumental companionship : if they are ever accompanied on the piano, it ought only to be with the view of aiding inexperienced voices. The glee is to be sung by a single voice to each part, while the madrigal and the part-song are rather of a choral character, and are most effective when the voices to each part are more or less-multiplied. The part-song, moreover, is comparatively simple in construction, with a marked rhythmical melody in the highest part, to which the others serve as accompaniments; while the madrigal and glee are more complex and elaborate, with the parts so closely inter- woven that no one stands out prominently from the others. But these distinctions are not without many exceptions. Among our modern com- posers of part-songs no one holds a higher place than Mr. Henry Smart. He has written many; all of them are admirable ; and those which he has now given to the public are exquisite. They unite the beauties of the various kinds of secular vocal music—the flowing, expressive melody of the English song, the delicate combinations of the glee, and the rich choral swell of the madrigal. Of the four we hardly know which to prefer; and if we have been especially charmed with the "Hymn to Cynthia," it is probably owing to the delicious quaintness of Ben Jon- son's words, redolent of the sixteenth century.

"Queen and huntress, chaste and fair, Now the sun is laid to sleep, Seated in thy silver chair, State in wonted manner keep. Hesperus entreats thy light, Goddess excellently bright !

"Earth, let not thy envious shade Dare itself to interpose ;

Cynthia's shining orb was made Heav'n to cheer when day did close. Bless us, then, with wished sight, Goddess excellently bright

"Lay thy bow of pearl apart, And thy crystal shining quiver, Give unto thy flying hart Space to breathe, how short soever : Thou, that nink'st a day of night, Goddess excellently bright ! "

The "Cradle Song" is not inferior in beauty. It is really a five-part song, for the basses are divided into two separate parts. It is piano and pianissimo throughout, and must be breathed with the utmost possible softness the still murmur of the harmony unbroken by a single loud sound. So sung, the effect of repose is exquisite. Our pure vocal harmony is the class of music of which, above all others, England has reason to be proud. In some other branches, as the music of the stage and the grand symphonic combinations of the orches- tra, we have never been able to rival the Italians and the Germans' but in this most beautiful branch of the art we have possessed for three centuries an unbroken series of illustrious masters unequalled in any other country.

[Published by Novam0.]

"Hare mercy upon me." Full Anthem for Four Voices. Composed by Joseph Barnby.

"I will lilt up mine eyes." Full Anthem. By the Same.

The music of the English ecclesiastical service is also a branch of the art which belongs entirely to this country, and which derives its peculiar features from the character of the service itself. It is from this source that it draws its grandeur, its simplicity, and its severity in repudiating the light and florid graces which render the music of foreign churches fitter for the stage than the sanctuary. The great school formed and supported by our TaRises, Gibbenses,Purcells, Halide's (for Handel, in this character, stands among our countrymen), Crofts, and Boyces, still lives and flourishes among us and numbers living masters not unworthy of their predecessors. Of this school Mr. Barnby's two anthems are good spe- cimens. They are in the pure cathedral style ; being grave and solemn in expression, while they show the skilful contrapuntist and figure writer.

[Published by Messrs. Dormer DAVISON and Co.] Eight Ballads for Voice and Piano. Composed by Adolfo Ferrari.

Two Chamber Trios for Soprano, Memo-soprano, and Contralto. By the Same.

Signor Ferrari, though the son of one of the most eminent Italian mu- sicians of his day, is himself an Englishman to all intents and purpose- in birth, breeding, habits, and attainments. We need hardly say that he is one of the most distinguished of our vocal instructors and that his Zymase on Singing is among the most valuable and justly esteemed works of its class. The ballads before us are beautiful compositions, thoroughly English in their style and character. The words, always selected with literary taste, are set to music with the utmost attention, not only to sentiment and expresssion, but to all the niceties of accent and prosody : a merit by far too rare in the works of our English com- posers. The two trios, which are for female voices, and calculated for the accomplished lady singers who are now found in every social circle, are" among the most attractive pieces of drawing-room music that we have heard for a long time.

[Published by Messrs. CLINTON and Co.] The Ricer; Canzonet. Written by Mrs. Southey ; composed by H. T. Left- wich, Musical Examiner to the College of Preceptors.

Afethea ; Nocturne for the Pianoforte. Composed by the Same.

Mr. Leftwich, from these specimens of his ability, appears to be well qualified for the office which he holds. "The River" is a fine song. Mrs. Southey's beautiful verses are "married" to music by no means unworthy of them, the melody being elegant and the accompaniment masterly. " Alethea" is a brilliant and effective little pianoforte piece, which, moreover, will furnish improving practice for the hand of the young performer.