The National Anthem
SIR,—In your issue of March 28th Mr. D. C. Somervell writes: " The National Anthem is very good music. It is not great music nor beauti- ful music, but strictly good " ; and later on in his letter he calls it " our own little tune."
It is satisfactory to know that Mr. Somervell approves of the tune; but does he not under-estimate its excellence ? According to Grove's Dictionary of Music (3rd edition, 1929, vol. 1, page 283), Beethoven wrote : " I must show the English a little what a blessing they have in God. Save the King ; " this apropos of its use in his " Battle Syinphony," according to Grove, who adds: " It is satisfactory to find him so fond of it." I believe that many people agree with Beethoven in admiring the tune.—Yours faithfully, J. 0. WHITFIELD. Great Coxwell, Faringdon, Berks.
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