(Vol. iv., p. 502.)
I offer P. H. the best information I have. It is scanty, but as a few
years ago there was much competition for Moravian hymn-books, probably
some fortunate possessor of an _editio princeps_ may be induced to tell
us more about them.
Of the editions which I have seen, the later is always _tamer_ than its
predecessors. I have one entitled _A Collection of Hymns, consisting
chiefly of Translations from the German. Part 3. The Second Edition.
London: printed for James Hutton, Bookseller in Fetter Lane, over
against West Harding Street_, MDCCXLIX. After the manner of German
hymn-books, though in verse, it is printed as prose. I have never seen
Part I. or II.; and though a book which had reached a second edition
only a century ago cannot, under ordinary circumstances, be scarce,
several booksellers and book-fanciers, who have seen mine, declare that
they think it unique. It is probable that ridicule and misconstruction
induced the heads of the congregation to make great alterations and
omissions in fresh editions, and to recommend the destruction of the
old, as a means of avoiding scandal. Very good reason they had for so
doing, as the meaning of spiritual love is often so corporeally
expressed as to make Tabitha's dream, in the _New Bath Guide_, fall far
short of the intensity of the serious work. I cannot find the "chicken
blessed," as cited by Anstey, but have no doubt that it is genuine, as
well as those in the _Oxford Magazine_. At page 86. of my copy is a
different version of that given by P. H. It is called the "Single
Sister's Hymn." Tune: "How is my heart," &c.
"To you ye Jesu's Wounds!
We pay
A Thousand thankful tears this day,
That you have us presented
With many happy
Virgin-Rows,
Who without nunnery, are close to Jesu's heart cemented.
This is a bliss which is sure
To secure
Virgin-carriage,
In the state itself of marriage."
It is obvious that this is an amended version. I believe these hymns
were translated by persons not very familiar with the English language.
The versification is occasionally good and harmonious, but generally
lame, and the language abounding with Hebraisms and Germanisms. The
matter is often indescribably puerile; and, though composed _bonâ fide_,
would look profane and licentious in quotation.
I have another edition, "chiefly extracted from the Larger Hymn-book,"
London, 1769. It has bad English, bad verse, and puerility; but is not
indelicate.