_Ken's Morning and Evening Hymns_.--I saw it mentioned in a review
in the _Guardian_ some few weeks ago, as one merit of the last
edition of the Book of Common Prayer, published by Eyre and
Spottiswoode, that it had restored Bishop Ken's Morning and Evening
Hymns to their original purity.
I have no means of accurately testing this assertion by reference to
any undoubted version of the date of the original publication, but I
have no doubt that this might easily be done through the medium of
your paper; and I think you will agree with me that, if it should be
substantiated, not only is credit due to the Queen's printers, but
also that it is an example which ought to be followed, without
exception, in all future editions of the Prayer Book.
The variations, which I have noted in the ordinary version of the
Hymns, as given in other Prayer Books, are too numberous to be
inserted here, not to mention the omission of several stanzas, three
in the Morning Hymn, together with the Doxology, and one in the
Evening Hymn.
If they be false readings, no doubt they have been allowed to creep
in inadvertently, and need only pointing out to be corrected. It
occurred to me that this might be done more effectually in your
columns, and I venture to hope that you will not consider it a task
unworthy the high aim which you have in view in your admirable
publication.