( iv)

recognised as the Hymns of one author. This arises partly from the devoted career of the Bishop in India superseding that of the poet, and partly from the unobtrusive way in which his own Hymns were given to the world in a collection formed by himself from ancient and modern writers to supply a want then felt for a Church Hymnal. The Bishop's own Hymns have outlived this publication in which he so unostentatiously incorporated them, and it is thought by the present publishers that a distinct edition of what the Bishop alone was author, will be acceptable to all admirers of devotional poetry, and at the same time, by adopting a permanent and ornamental form, afford them an opportunity to do honour to a memory ever to be revered.

As the

The publication of this edition is undertaken with due regard to the interests of the surviving representatives of the author, and with the sanction of Mr. Murray, who has published all the Bishop's works as well as his compilation of Hymns. plan upon which the Hymns were composed bears immediate reference to the Lessons of the Day, so has this leading idea been followed in the plan of illustration; in many places a purely emblematic treatment has been found necessary where the refer. ence has been more one of principle than incident.

The names of the various artists employed will form some guarantee that the designs have received careful study, and the whole have been engraved under the entire direction of Mr. JAMES D. COOPER. It is hoped that their efforts will be esteemed to have accomplished the object of a suitable edition of these favourite Christian melodies.