selections answering to any in the hymn-list of the latter book. For a
personal friend and practically unknown writer, to follow Mr.
Butterworth, and "improve" his earlier work to the more modern
conditions, was a venture of no little difficulty and delicacy. The
result is submitted as simply a conscientious effort to give the best of
the old with the new.

So far as was possible, matter from the two previous books, and from the
crude manuscript, has been used, and passages here and there
transcribed, but so much of independent plan and original research has
been necessary in arranging and verifying the substance of the chapters
that the _Story of the Hymns and Tunes_ is in fact a new volume rather
than a continuation. The chapter containing the account of the _Gospel
Hymns_ is recent work with scarcely an exception, and the one on the
_Hymns of Wales_ is entirely new.

Without increasing the size of this volume beyond easy purchase and
convenient use, it was impossible to discuss the great oratorios and
dramatic set-pieces, festival and occasional, and only passing
references are made to them or their authors.

Among those who have helped me in my work special acknowledgements are
due to Mr. Hubert P. Main of Newark, N.J.; Messrs. Hughes & Son of
Wrexham, Wales; the American Tract Society, New York; Mr. William T.
Meek, Mrs. A.J. Gordon, Mr. Paul Foster, Mr. George Douglas, and Revs.
John R. Hague and Edmund F. Merriam of Boston; Professor William L.
Phelps of New Haven, Conn.; Mrs. Ellen M.H. Gates of New York; Rev.
Franklin G. McKeever of New London, Conn.; and Rev. Arthur S. Phelps of
Greeley, Colorado. Further obligations are gratefully remembered to
Oliver Ditson & Co. for answers to queries and access to publications,