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    we cheerfully step forward to speak of the "/ Musao Solitariae / ' in terms which , we trust , will induce our readers to become better acquainted with them than by our report of their merits * Mr . J . thus modestly speaks of his work in a short preface :

    ( It is with much diffidence that the following compositions are submitted to the public eye . They were written , chiefly , for my own private or domestic gratification , and without the least idea of their wandering beyond the circle of my immediate friends . But , finding my

    manuscripts , in the course of years , considerably multiplied ; and being led to suppose , that my solitary musings may find acceptance in other families—lovers , like myself , of sacred harmony—I venture , at length , to print the contents of the present volume . Its pretensions , as

    an original or scientific work are , I am conscious , very humble . It contains , however , no wilful plagiarisms ; aud , I would hope , no material offences against good taste and correct composition . Such as it is , I commend it to the indulgence of the public ; having no higher aim ,

    than to assist and edify those who comply with the apostolic admonition , * Speaking to themselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs , singing and making melody in their heart to the Lord /"

    We think it the distinguishing character of excellence in this publication , that the devotional spirit it serves to raise and express is decidedly C / iristian ; and , admirable as it is to mark the great degree of taste , elegance and

    science in these beautiful compositions , it is still more so to perceive the felicitous subserviency of these qualities to the author's higher aim ; namely , to strike the harmony of holy affections in the Christian bosom : —

    we certainly know nothing in psalmody like Mr . JTowett ' s ; exhibiting an exquisite musical taste and science , yet so chaste and so subdued in reference to the religious feelings and sentiments with which thev are found

    associated . By speaking of this work as decidedly Christian , we mean , it is scarcely possible to refuse the author of them a temper of Christian piety $ or , to believe otherwise than that this temper , pure , amiable and fervent , inspired the mind , and gave its hallowed touch to the musical talent and knowledge discovered throughout the

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    volume . We fu ^ tlier use the teitn Christian * in marked distinction from ** Sacred Melodies , " bjr other hands , of great merit , that , doubtless , are well Hnpwn to many of our readers . Those , for instance , by a brilliant writer of Anacreontic celebrity ^ whi 6 h at this moment occur to our reedltec-i

    tion , but not with advantage by comparison * It may be regretted by all disposed to congratulate Mr , Moore on his own ingenuous regret of former errors , th&t his better spirit and redeeming aim should light on sacred things ; as it appears to ourselves , an

    obvious leaven of his earthly , unhaU lowed love mingles with and mars the purity of his sacred verse and song , and gives an equivocal nature to their intended devotional character . They are soft and sweet , t € bright anxL beautiful , " like a great portion of Mr .

    Moore ' s poetry ; they may suit the * Loves' * of his own " Angels , " or the piety of devotees breathing the atmosphere of a Harem , but we must think , not the character of the piety expected in the followers of the Chris * -

    tian prophet . Mr . Gardiner ' s Melodies , well known as being , for the most part , collected sweets from the treasures of our great masters , have in them every thing to gratify taste and science in lovers of music : but . and science in lovers of music ; but

    , to our awn views of music as the language of passion and sentiment , they can never be regarded as truly devotional ; will never be felt to be strictly congenial with the affections and thoughts suited to the worship of a

    Christian temple , or the rites of domestic piety in a Christian family . They do not possess the advantage of an original religious association ; they are taken with a degree of violence from their first connexion , as parts

    of compositions having no relation to sacred subjects ; none will deny them the inspiration of genius ; but a holy flame has not attended the conception of them , to aid the spirit of the sacred verse which the very tasteful compiler has united with them .

    It is very obvious Mr . Jowett also is familiar with the works of those celebrated men , Haydn and Mozart , as well as Handel ; and some of the beautiful conceptions of the two first , in passing through his own mind , have gathered up a spirit of ' Christian sane-

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    Revtew . —Musts Solitarily a Collection 0 / Original Melodies . 419

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1824, page 419, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2526/page/35/