Among the labors of preparation which Mr. Duffield undertook as preliminary to this book, the most unique was his manuscript “List of the Latin Hymns,” as found in all the collections accessible to him, from Clichtove to Kehrein, with references to the authorship, the age, and the sources of each; together with notes of the names of English translators. It was his intention that the list should form an integral part of his book; but as it contains between four and five thousand references by first lines, it would make a book of itself, and it is the hope of the editor to secure its separate publication in that form. The work cost so much patient labor, and is in itself so valuable to hymnological students, that it would be a pity if it were not made still more complete, and given to the public at an early date.

It seemed best not to include the list in all its bulk in this work, but to make from it a selection of those hymns which have found favor in the eyes of English translators, and to print them with the names of the translators. These are not one in five of the whole number of Latin hymns, but they constitute the best of them, and they are those which are most likely to be of use and interest to our readers. These eight hundred and seventy hymns, recasts of hymns, and portions of hymns which translators have treated as wholes, are a body of sacred song which will bear comparison with any other in the world, either as regards loftiness of devotion, weight of thought, or excellence as poetry. And in no respect has our English hymnody been more enriched during the last fifty years than by the felicitous versions made by British and American translators, from Chandler’s to our own days.

It will be observed that the name of the author, or the source, or at least the date of each hymn, is given on the left side of the list. This is followed by the first line of the hymn, and where several hymns begin nearly alike, enough is given to identify each. After this comes the reference to the source where the hymn is to be found, if this be known to the editor. Where it is given in any volume of Daniel’s great work, that is referred to by Roman and Arabic numerals simply, without repetition of his name. In every case where it is to be found in Newman’s Hymni Ecclesiae, or Trench’s Sacred Latin Poetry, or March’s Latin Hymns, this is indicated, as these are the collections most accessible to American students generally. Then follow in Italics the names of the translator or translators, either on the same line, or on the lines below. The use of an asterisk (*) indicates that this is a recast of an older hymn.

The chapter of “Bibliographical Notes” will furnish the proper reference to the sources of the translations in most cases. It is necessary to specify a few which are not given there.

Rev. John Anketell’s translations are given mostly in The Church Review for 1876 and 1877. For those of Dr. Benson, H. R. B., C. I. Black, E. L. Blenkinsopp, W. C. C., J. M. H., Dr. Littledale, M., A. M. M., O. C. P., J. G. Smith, H. Thompson, J. S. Tute, R. E. E. W., see Mr. Orby Shipley’s three Lyras. For translations by Prior Aylward, Mr. J. R. Beste, Lord Braye, John Dryden (?), and other versions from the old Catholic Primers and Evening Offices, J. C. Earle, Provost Husenbeth, Charles Kent, Cardinal Newman, Professor Potter, Father Ryder, A. D. Wackerbarth, and Dr. Wallace, see Mr. Shipley’s Annus Sanctus. For translations by Dr. Littledale, B., F., D. L., A. L. P., F. R., and B. T., see The People’s Hymnal (1877); for those of Mr. Singleton, see The Anglican Hymn-Book (1868); for those of Mr. Blew, see his Church Hymn and Tune Book (1851 and 1855); for those of Rev. W. J. Copeland, see his Hymns for the Week and for the Seasons (1848). For Mr. A. J. B. Hope’s, see his Hymns of the Church Literally Translated (1844), an attempt to substitute classic metre for rhyme.

H. A. M. stands for Hymns Ancient and Modern, which is specified where the translation is materially altered by the compilers, as well as where an original version has been supplied. H. A. stands for the Hymnarium Anglicanum, or the Ancient Hymns of the Church of England Translated from the Salisbury Breviary (1844).

Of Dr. A. R. Thompson’s hymns several were contributed to Dr. Schaff’s “Christ in Song,” but they have not appeared separately in book form. The same is true of Dr. W. S. McKenzie’s, which have appeared chiefly in the columns of two Boston weeklies—The Beacon and The Watchman. We are glad to learn that they are to be collected. To Mr. Anketell, Dr. Thompson, Dr. McKenzie, Professor S. Hart, of Hartford, Mr. Stryker and Mr. C. H. A. Esler, I am indebted for lists of their translations.