Songs front Scripture. By THOMAS Moons:, Esq. The Symphonies and
Accompaniments by JoHN Goss. But whence come the melodies themselves ? This is surely as im- portant to be known as who wrote the words and the symphonies and the accompaniments. No. 5, " The Song of the Dove," is a melody of BLEIktol■LN arranged to words,—a name which for their own sakes the publishers might have been glad to have announced. This, however, is the hest of the set; some of which are sadly monotonous. In the first and second songs, for instance, every phrase ends with the same chord. Mr. Goss, it is scarcely necessary to say, has discharged his easy duty skilfully and successfully : if he had thrown several of the melodies on which lie had to operate into the fire, and substituted others of his own, the poet, the publisher, and the purchaser would each have been gainers. When a second set is called for, we venture to recommend that be be advanced from the office of arranger to that of composer. We shall gladly hair any occasion that calls forth his emi- nent talents. We use this epithet adviselly, for we know few com- posers of the present day more able to adorn and elevate the English school than JOHN Goss.
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