R.R.Chope The Congregational Hymn & Tune Book, 1857: Title Pages (1st and 2nd editions) and Preface to the 2nd edition, transcribed from copies of the first and second editions in the Congregational Library, London. (The first edition contained no Preface, as explained in the Preface to the 2nd edition.)
[ handwritten on 1st edition fly-leaf:
This is the scarce first edition of Chope's "Congregational Hymn and Tune Book". The edition of 1862 was enlarged to 300 hymns, and eight of those in the first edition were omitted, viz: 20, 47, 55, 72, 75, 81, 89, 92.
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MORE than four years ago, this Work made its first appearance, introduced by no names of high patronage, explained by no Preface, and, except in two or three instances, mentioning no authorship of either the Hymns or the Tunes. It was thought that a Book designed for such extensive use in Public Worship had better be distinguished as little as possible by individual peculiarities.
But notwithstanding the unprecedented success of the Work, and the Author's unchanged conviction, that it was more suitable to such a book to avoid as far as possible all parade of names, he has been induced to make public the obligations which he is under, to those who have helped his labours for the Church's sake. One reason which has weighed greatly with him has been the appearance of other Collections, under auspices which might seem of a semi-public kind; and it might appear unjust to the present undertaking to conceal the wide-spread sympathy which it commands throughout the Church. Some guarantee, too, might be due to the Clergy and Parishes by whom the "Congregational Hymn and Tune Book" has been adopted, that the scientific correctness of the music has been secured beyond all doubt; as well as an appropriate adaptation of tunes to words, of which all might not so easily judge for themselves. It is hoped, therefore, that the appearance of the present "Enlarged Edition," in the form which it now assumes, is sufficiently justified.
To link the best tunes to the best words, that they may at length become almost suggestive of each other, has been one distinctive object before the Author's mind throughout. The structural arrangement [ * ] of each page will show how unswervingly this has been aimed at; and if it has been secured, the Author cannot forget how much is owing to his gifted fellow-helpers for the rich variety of words and music generously placed at his disposal.
Special thanks are due to the Rev. J.R.Woodford, for permission kindly given to make his Selection of Hymns the basis of the first edition of the "Congregational Hymn and Tune Book;" to the Rev. John Keble for the use of his Hymns, which are beyond praise; to the Very Rev. Dean Milman, for his soul-stirring poetry; to the Revs. Canon Wordsworth, D.D., Isaac Williams, Dr. Neale, Dr. Faber, E.Caswall, Godrey Thring, Canon Hutton, and W.Walsham How, for their original Hymns and Translations; to the Rev. Prebendery Irons, D.D., and the Rev. J.H.Butterworth, for much valuable help in Revision, as well as for their own original Hymns and Translations; to the Revs. John Baron, Canon Eaton, G.Hervey, E.Budge, Charles Walters, A.B.Hemsworth, C.T.Billings, and G.C.Campbell, for selecting Hymns; to the Earl Nelson, the Rev. R.T.Lowe, and other Authors of Hymn-books, for liberty to select from their Works; to the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Oxford, for very important suggestions; to the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Ely, for his sterling tunes - interesting also, as written by him after he had passed his eightieth year; to the Revs. W.H.Havergal, Canon of Worcester, Dr. Maurice, Charles Walker, Esq., and H.Lahee, Esq., for permission to make selections from their Tune-books; to the Rev. Sir Frederick A.Gore Ouseley, Bart., Professor of Music in the University of Oxford; to Dr. W.Sterndale Bennett, Professor of Music in the University of Cambridge; to John Hullah, Esq., (whose labours in the field of Church Music have borne so much fruit); to the Revs. W.Mercer, T.G.Parry, Esq., Dr. G.J.Elvey, Dr. Gauntlett, S.Reay, Esq., R.Stuart, Esq., J.A.Lloyd, Esq., A.H.Brown, Esq., S.Gee, Esq., R.A.M.W.James, Esq., Organist of Kenn, A.R.Reinagle, Esq., E.B.Fripp, Esq., W.B.Gilbert, Esq., Mus.Bac., Oxon., T.Graham, Esq., R.B.Wall, Esq., W.Cummings, Esq., J.L.Summers, Esq., W.Horsley, Esq., and Mr. W.Meadows, for kindly contributing tunes.
Acknowledgments must be made to Messrs. Longman, Green, & Co., for their permission to print Miss Winkworth's Hymn, 275; to Messrs. Burns & Lambert, for the tune set to Hymn 51; to Messrs. Novello & Co., for the music set to Hymn 181; to Messrs. Masters & Co., for Mr Redhead's tunes; to Messrs. Cocks & Co., for the arrangement of Hymn 179; to Messrs. Cramer, Beale & Chappell, for the tune called "Waterstock," by John Goss, Esq., Organist of St. Paul's Cathedral; and lastly, though by no means in a less degree, the Author desires warmly to thank his friends whose high names he has the privilege of adding to his Title-page. Specially he feels bound to say how deeply he is indebted to the Rev. R.F.Smith of Southwell, who was the earliest with him in this work - whose unwearying labours, indeed, began with the Author's first edition. Nor can the name of James Turle, Esq., Organist of Westminster Abbey be here omitted, who by the uniform exercise of his musical skill has helped to keep the work free from grammatical errors in harmony, &c., and has added his own contributions. The Organist, too, of the Temple Church, E.J.Hopkins, Esq., with no less heartiness and goodwill examined with the Author a large quantity of original manuscript and other tunes, and gave his own tunes and some other excellent specimens of harmony. And there is one to be remembered whose name and musical writings are indeed well known, though not so well as they deserve to be, as his tunes in the present work will abundantly prove - the Rev. J.B.Dykes, M.A., Mus.Doc., and Precentor of Durham Cathedral: it is impossible to value too much the assistance which he has rendered the Author in this Work. After him, through a tried friend, was secured the help of a sound musician of the highest school - Herbert S.Irons, Esq., Organist of Southwell Collegiate Church, many of whose gems of harmony will be found here and in the Author's "Prayer-Book Noted." And further, to Dr. Monk, Organist of York Cathedral; to W.T.Best, Esq., Organist of St.George's Hall, Liverpool; and to Geo.Cooper, Esq., Organist of Her Majesty's Chapels Royal, great thanks are due for their careful professional help, and music kindly written at the Author's request. Finally: If justice has been done to this combined effort of so many of the highest names in the Church of England, it will be seen at a glance how much is owing to the enterprise, munificence, and skill of the Publisher.
That God may bless this Work to the souls of His people, is the prayer of one who can truly say, as in His Sight, that nothing has been spared, to make both the Hymns and Tunes worthy of being sung by all Congregations to the Honour and Glory of His Holy Name!
PRIZE TUNES. - Of the 857 Competitive Tunes received by the Author, Prizes have been awarded for Numbers 118, 125, 150, and 156; and Extra Prizes for Numbers 103 and 154.
R.R.C.
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