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Metrical Version of the Psalms.

Suspected, however, of secretly favouring Lutheran principles, for his safety he was forced to leave his native country, when he retired to Geneva. There, after residing for some time, it is said, for a cause of a very different kind, he was obliged to fly rather hastily; he returned back to France, and was again received into favour. Marot did not live to finish the task he undertook, as he only added other twenty to the number he first published. The current belief is, that he first was directed to, and assisted in, this employment, by his friend Vatablus, Professor of Hebrew in Paris, who furnished him with a Latin translation. Be this as it may, it was no doubt an exercise of his powers, better fitting his advanced age, and more becoming his religious sentiments, than the subjects of his Muse in his earlier years. and other critics, imagine, that at this Baillet, time he had renounced his gallantry; and they consider what he performed, or intended to finish, as a token of repentance, and an act of contrition for the follies of his youth, and the excesses of his life. His death took place in 1546; but, alas! he died as he had lived-in the most unlicensed debauchery.

This version accorded with the sentiments of Calvin, who published an edition, during Marot's life, (of the fifty Psalms, in 1543,) with a preface, addressed "to all Christians and Lovers of the Word of God." Indeed, it is supposed considerably to have aided in forwarding his views; and that by it he sought to effectuate a change in this part of divine worship, by introducing the practice of singing the Psalmody, and in making it a stated portion of the Protestant Service. These suppositions may be carried too far, but still they may bear some truth. The choral anthems (or musical compositions, sung in different parts) of the Catholics, he considered as too complicate and difficult for general use. He finally adopted a practice, the simplicity of which corresponded with the rest of his ecclesiastical discipline. "For some time," says Sir John Hawkins, "Calvin stood in doubt whether to adopt the Lutheran choral form of singing in consonance, or to institute a plain unisonous melody, in which all might join at length he resolved on the latter, &c. (vol. iii. p. 450.)

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[April

Before this, the use of Marot's Psalms had been interdicted the Catholics, last, psalm-singing and heresy became under the severest penalties, till, at nearly synonymous.

Psalms were translated in a similar At Calvin's request, the rest of the at length, appointed to be used in the manner by Beza;* when they were, exercise of devotion. On the entire version some writers have bestowed unqualified commendation, while others have spoken of it with undue respect. We cannot agree with the opinion, that these travestis." Though it would be out Cantiques sont bizarrement of place to dilate much on the respecsions hereafter to be mentioned, we tive merits of this, or any of the vermay be indulged in hazarding a few remarks.

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universally allowed to be unfit for exThe French language is pressing the grandeur and sublimity David. Marot and Beza's translation so characteristic of the Psalms of possesses great freedom and ease of versification, with not a small portion of beauty and elegance, but is too paraphrastic. against Sternhold's and Hopkins's come And the objections urged namely, the frequent use of low and with equal, or even additional force, unmeaning expressions,-the feebleness of diction,-the want of energy, of the meaning of the Psalmist. In -as also, the occasional misconception Marot's portion, the pleasing naiveté of his style is incompatible with the subject, and a forced and inefficient endeavour after the sublime is too often visible.†

ney, originally to have been published at
This entire version is said, by Dr Bur-
Strasburgh, in 1545; while Senebier, in
his life of Beza, informs us, his portion was
not completed till about eighteen years after
that date.

been frequently put into a metrical form by
The Psalms have at subsequent periods
other French poets. That of Phillippe des
possesses merit, so far as metre is concerned,
Portes, is among the most remarkable, It
but is also much too paraphrastic; the very
spirit and substance often evaporates in his
attempts to fill up a stanza with smooth flow-
ing words. There was another paraphrase
made by A. Godeau, Paris, 1648, 4to, of
impartial or best informed writer), "les pro-
which, according to Du Pin (not the most
testans n'ont pas fait difficulté de sen servir,
paroissoit consacrée parmi eux."
à la place de la traduction de Maret, qui

The Reformation in the Church of England for a time was productive of a great alteration in the general system of study; and brought about a decided change in the character and subjects of our poetry. Metrical translations of parts of the Scriptures were the usual themes chosen; while enthusiasm and devotion usurped the places of inspiration and genius. The Psalmody was introduced into the English Church after the example of that of Geneva. The timely appearance of Sternhold's translation of part of the Psalms, afforded the means of getting a perfect version of the whole, every way adapted to general use."

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*

Sternhold only lived to complete about a third of the whole. His translations were printed by themselves in a separate form; and, like Marot's, the praise they received induced him to resolve on translating the rest; as appears from his dedication of those he did publish, inscribed to King Edward. There, he says, Seeing that youre tender and godly zeale dooeth more delight in the holye songes of veritie then in any fayned rymes of vanytie, I am encouraged to trauayle further in the said booke of Psalms, &c. And yf I maye perceyue youre maiestie wyllynglye to accept my wyl herein, where my doyng is no thanke worthy, and to favour so this my beginning, that my labour be acceptable in perfourming the residue, I shall endeuoure myself with diligence, not only to enterpryse that which better learned ought more iustlye to doe, but also to perfourme that without faulte, which your maiestie will receyue with iuste thanke."

The poets (if such a name they are suffered to get) who chiefly contributed, besides John Hopkins, to complete the adopted version begun by Thomas Sternhold, were, William

Before this time, some of the Psalms, and other portions of the Scriptures, were translated by the Earl of Surrey, and his friend, Sir Thomas Wyatt. And about the same time, various versions of the Psalter appeared, by Robert Crowley, William Hunnis, John Hall, and other English poets. Surrey and Wyatt's, however, are the only that merit much praise. And these have lately become more accessible to the public in the hugely-ponderous edition of their works, by Dr Nott. The Penitential Psalms (as they are called), by Wyatt, were first printed in 1549.

VOL. III.

Whittyngham, Thomas Norton, and William Kethe. There were others who furnished a quota, but it is not our wish unnecessary to dilate on this point.*

Hopkins would seem to have acted as editor in the first complete edition that was printed by John Daye, in 1562. Some that had previously been printed in this, he revised and altered, or replaced with others. The early editions are found to vary considerably with each other, but no full and accurate notice of these variations has yet been given. In this edition, at length, like that of its French prototype, they received musical accompaniments,-the Psalms being set to simple or unisonous melodies, to render them fit for public service,-and the entire version was joined as a necessary addition to the English Liturgy.

The long and critical account of Sternhold and Hopkins's Psalms, given by Warton, has been highly praised. On this, as on almost every other topic, we have to lament his oversight and want of accuracy, which would seem to be the inseparable attendant of his otherwise admirable work. His account of this version is almost wholly derived (and that without due acknowledgment) from his predecessor, Sir John Hawkins. Nor do we consider his sentiments (judicious and sensible as they generally are) to deserve over-much regard; for he is unduly prejudiced against, not only the translators of this version, but the whole class of those who imitated their example; those, to wit, whom he speaks of as indulging in a species of poetry, if it may be so called, which even impoverishes prose, or rather, by mixing the style of prose with verse, and of verse with prose, destroys the character and effect of both,"-or those he designates as "the mob of religious rhymers, who, from principles of the most unfeigned piety, devoutly la

It might make a small but curious volume, and not wholly destitute of interest, to give a distinct history of this version, its authors, the changes it successively underwent, and the various multiplication of impressions that are known still to exist. On this, nothing satisfactory has yet been done, if we except a partial attempt in an account of three of the earlier impressions, to be found in the pages of the Censura Lite raria, vol. x. p. 5.

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boured to darken the lustre, and enervate the force, of the divine pages." Warton's dislike to this version, arose not so much from contempt of its poetical merits, as from his disinclination to the use of the Psalmody,—or the introduction of a version at all, into the service of the English Church. The following are some of his reflections, which are followed by a few extracts, to establish the truth of his assertions. "It is certain (Wharton remarks) that every attempt to clothe the Sacred Scripture in verse will have the effect of presenting and debasing the dignity of the original; but this general inconvenience, arising from the nature of things, was not the only difficulty which our versifiers of the Psalter had to encounter, in common with all other writers employed on a similar task, allowing for the state of our language in the middle of the sixteenth sentrey, they appear to have been but little qualified either by genius or accomplishments for poetical composition. It is for this reason that they have produced a translation entirely destitute of elegance,

spirit, and propriety; the truth is, that they

undertook this work not so much from an ambition of literary fame, or a consciousness of abilities, as from motives of piety, and in compliance with the cast of the times. I presume I am communicating no very new criticism, when I observe, that in every part of this translation, we are disgusted with a languor of versification, and a want of common prosody; the most exalted effusions of thanksgiving, and the most sublime imageries of the divine Majesty, are lowered by a coldness of conception, weakened by frigid interpolations, and disfigured by a poverty of phraseology."

However forcible these opinions of Warton, and strong his objections may seem to be, we can oppose them with those of another critic, who, it will be allowed, was as fully competent, from his learning and judgment, as well as his labours on this very portion of the Sacred Scriptures, to appreciate its merits with fairness and candour.

The following are the just and suitable remarks of Bishop Horsley:

"The metrical version of the old Singing Psalms, by Sternhold and Hopkins, is not (he says) what I believe it is now generally supposed to be, nothing better than an awkward versification of a former English translation; it was an original translation from the Hebrew text, earlier, by many years, than the prose translation in the Bible; and all that are in any degree paraphrastic, as all in verse in some degree must be, it is the best and most exact we have to put into the hands of the common people. The authors of this version considered the verse

merely as a contrivance to assist the memory. They were little studious of their numbers, or the elegance of their diction; but they were solicitous to give the full and precise sense of the Sacred text, according judgment, with the exception of some few to the best of their judgment; and their passages, was very good; and at the same time they adhered scrupulously to the letter, they contrived to express it in such terms as, like the original, might point clearly the spiritual meaning. It was a change much for the worse, when the pedantry of pretenders to taste in literary comtion from many of our Churches, to make position, thrust out this excellent translaroom for what still goes by the name of the New Version, that of Tate and Brady, which, in many places where the Old Version is just, accurate, and dignified by its simplicity, is careless and inadequate, and, in the poverty and littleness of its style, contemptible. The innovation, when it was first attempted, was opposed, though in the end unsuccessfully, by the soundest divines, the most accomplished scholars, and the

men of the truest taste, at that time, in the It will be an alteration still more for the seat of authority in the Church of England.

worst, if both these versions should be made to give place to another of later date, departing still farther from the strict letter of the text, and compensating its want of accuracy by nothing better than the meretricious ornaments of modern poetry."

Sternhold and Hopkins' version, as remarked by Bishop Horsley, was displaced by what is still called the New Version. This was the joint production of Dr Nicholas Brady and Naham Tate, and received the royal license, appointing it to be used in churches, December 3, 1696.*

It would be a hopeless task, and unprofitable, to undertake a specification of the various attempts to render the Psalms into metre. Portions, indeed, occur in the collected works of almost all the English poets, and, wonderful to say, are usually attended with a similar want of success. We may, how ever, cursorily notice those who, in the versification of certain Psalms, or in composing original Hymns and Sacred Songs, have had the best success, and are most worthy of praise. These are, Surrey and Wyatt, Sir Philip Sidney, Lord Bacon, Sir Edward Sandys, Withers, Dodd, Habington, Slatyer, Ravenscroft, Milton, Cowley, Blackmore, Addison, and Logan. And of the more remarkable translations of the entire Psalter, which ought not to be passed over in silence, we may mention those by Bishop Parker, Bishop King, George Sandys, Sir John Denham, Rouse, and Dr Watts, Bishop Parker's is chiefly remarkable for its curiosity and great rarity; it was printed for private use, and is characterised by a de,

We should now proceed to the more immediate intention of this paper, to consider the versions that have hitherto been used in our National Church

ficiency of freedom, from a want of practice in writing English verses. Bishop King's is said to be elegant, but devoid of simplicity. Of Rouses we shall have ere long occasion to speak at greater length. Denham and Watts are sufficiently known; and that by Sandys has always been admired. He was one of the most harmonicus versifiers of his age ;" and his translation of the Psalms, for variety and harmony of verse,-for elegance and sweetness of rythm, may yet bear competition with any that can be brought to the trial. Dr Burney's opinion of it is, that he " put the Psalms into better verse than they ever appeared in before or since." It was first printed in an elegant little volume, at London, in 1636, introduced with the following beautiful address to the King:

"Ovr graver Muse from her long Dreame awakes;

Peneian Groves, and Cirrha's Caves forsakes: Inspir'd with zeale, she climes th' Æthereall

Hills

Of Solyma, where bleeding balm distills; Where Trees of Life unfading Youth assure, And Living Waters all Diseases cure; Where the Sweet Singer, in cœlestiall Laies, Sung to his solemn Harp Iehovah's praise. From that falne Temple, on her wings, she beares

Those Heavenly Raptures to your sacred eares: Not that her bare and humble feet aspire To mount the Threshold of th' harmonious Quire;

But that at once she might Oblations bring To God; and Tribute to a god-like King. And since no narrow Verse such Mysteries, Deep sense; and high Expressions could comprise,

Her laboring Wings a larger compasse flie, And Poesie resolves with Poesie :

Lest she, who in the Orient clearly rose, Should in your Western World obscurely close."

To point out the Psalms most entitled to notice would be difficult, as they all partake of the same harmonious spirit. We have selected two, however, as a specimen, our lin.its not admitting more, else we had also given the 18th and 78th. Some other

extracts are to be found in Mr Ellis's ad

mirable work," Specimens of English Poetry."

PSALM XC.

O Thou the Father of us all, Our refuge from th' Originall;

That wert our God, before The aery Mountaines had their birth, Or fabricke of the peopled Earth; And art for evermore.

since the Reformation. This must be deferred for the present, but we shall resume the subject in the next Number.

But fraile man, daily dying, must
At thy Command returne to Dust:

Or should he ages last;
Ten thousand yeeres are in thy sight
But like a quadrant of the Night,

Or as a Day that's past.

He by thy Torrent swept from hence;
An empty Dreame, which mocks the Sense,
And from the Phansie flies;

Such as the beauty of the Rose,
Which in the dewy Morning blows,

Then hangs the head and dies.
Through daily anguish we expire:
Thy anger a consuming Fire,

To our offences duc.
Our sinnes (although by Night conceal'd,
By shame and feare) are all reveal'd,
And naked to thy view.

Thus in thy wrath our yeares we spend ;
And like a sad discourse they end;
Nor but to seventy last :
Or if to eighty they arrive,
We then with Age and Sicknesse strive ;
Cut off with winged haste.
Who knowes the terror of thy wrath,
Or to thy dreadfull anger hath

Proportion'd his due feare?
Teach us to number our fraile daies,
That we our hearts to thee may raise,
And wisely sinne forbeare.
Lord, O how long! at length relent!
And of our miseries repent;

Thy Early Mercy shew:
That we may unknowne comfort taste:
For those long daies in sorrow past,
As long of joy bestow.
The workes of thy accustom'd Grace
Shew to thy Servants, on their race

Thy chearefull beames reflect.
O let on us thy Beauty shine!
Bless our attempts with aide divine,
And by thy Hand direct."

PSALM CXIV.
"When Israel left th' Ægyptian Land,
Freed from a tyrannous command;
And he himselfe became their Guide.
God his owne People sanctifi'd,
Th' amazed Seas, this seeing, fled;

And Iordan shrunke into his Head:

The cloudy Mountaines skipt like Rams ; The little Hils like frisking lambs. Recoyling Seas, what caus'd your dread? Why, Iordan, shrunk'st thou to thy Head? Why, Mountaines, did you skip like Rams? And why, you little Hils, like Lambs ? Earth, tremble thou before his Face; Before the God of Iacobs race;

Who turn'd hard Rockes into a Lake; When Springs from flinty intrailes brake."

ABSTRACT OF THE PROPOSED BILL

tled to give a discharge to the bank, FOR THE PROTECTION OF BANKS notwithstanding their disability in law to act for themselves.

FOR SAVINGS IN SCOTLAND, WITH

REMARKS.

[The greater part of this statement originally appeared in the Dumfries and Galloway Courier, one of the best conducted provincial newspapers in this kingdom. It was, we believe, drawn up by the Rev. Henry Duncan, Ruthwell, a gentleman whose name will for ever be honourably associated with the establishment of Banks for Savings in Scotland. This gentleman is now in Edinburgh, preparing the bill alluded to for Parliament, with the advice of some of our most respectable professional men. We expect to furnish our readers with an argumentative article on the same important subject in our next Number.]

OUR readers are probably aware, that Mr William Douglas, M. P. for the Dumfries district of burghs, has obtained leave to bring in a bill for the protection and encouragement of Banks for Savings in Scotland. We have now before us a copy of the proposed bill, and, conceiving the measure to be of great importance, as connected with the welfare of the lower orders, we are happy in having an opportunity of laying before the public an abstract of its provisions as follows:

1st, That persons who are desirous of obtaining the benefit of the act, shall have it in their power to do so, by forming themselves into a society, and getting their rules sanctioned by the quarter-sessions, a copy of which rules (either printed or transcribed) being to be deposited with the clerk of the quarter-sessions, by whom it shall be filed and preserved;-which rules shall be binding until they be altered by the society, and the alteration also be deposited with the said clerk.

2d, That persons having control and direction in the management of these institutions, shall not be entitled to any pecuniary benefit on account of their services; but this prohibition is not to extend to operative persons employed in conducting the business, who may receive such salaries and emoluments as the rules shall prescribe.

3d, That no depositor shall be entitled to claim the benefit of this act for more than a limited sum.

4th, That all persons who shall have deposited money in a bank for savings, on their own account, shall, on withdrawing their money, be enti

5th, That treasurers and other office-bearers through whose hands the money belonging to the society may pass, shall be obliged to find security for their intromissions, to such amount as the regulations of the institution require, and that on this security legal diligence may be done.

the society to act as trustees for the 6th, That the persons appointed by time being, may bring or defend actions in name of the institution in a court of law, and that such actions, for sums not exceeding £20, shall be brought before the Justice of Peace Court.

7th, That no friendly society shall have a power to expel any of its members on account of such members having lodged money in a bank for savings.

8th, That depositors may bequeath their deposits by any written document, however informal, provided it be executed in presence of the minister or an elder of the parish in which they

reside.

9th, That the deposits of bastards may be bequeathed; but, if not bequeathed, shall belong to the mother or her relatives.

10th, That the managers of each saving bank shall be the sole judges of the evidence of propinquity in cases of unbequeathed deposits, having it in their power to apply to the sheriff for advice; and that a schedule shall be carefully drawn up, exhibiting the descent of personal property by the rules of common law, according to the different degrees of propinquity; which schedule shall be annexed to the regulations of every society taking the benefit of this act, and shall be the rule by which managers shall be guided in paying over unbequeathed money to the heirs of deceased depositors.

11th, That no confirmation shall be required to be expede on account of unbequeathed deposits, and that the tax on succession shall be dispensed with.

12th, That unclaimed deposits shall, after a certain period and due advertisement, become the property of the institution, and be applied in defraying its expenses, &c.

13th, That all bills, bonds, and other transactions of the society, shall be exempted from stamp duty.

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