48 THE REV. J. G. WOOD. 



sion, and compose the music also ! The Dean, at first, 

 was a little overcome by the audacity of the proposal, 

 but finally consented ; and shortly afterwards my father 

 received a very admirable hymn, with the Dean's com- 

 pliments. This, however, good as it was, was by no 

 means the kind of hymn which he wanted ; and so he 

 wrote off again to the Dean, pointing out that the 

 hymn, while excellent in its way, was not at all adapted 

 to be sung upon the march. Would he kindly go into 

 his cathedral, walk slowly along the course which the 

 procession would take, and compose another hymn as he 

 did so ? 



The good old Dean was not in the least offended by 

 the unhesitating rejection of his work, and did as he was 

 bid; and the result was that grand hymn beginning 

 "Forward be our watchword," which, consisting of eight 

 twelve-line verses, has since been added to " Hymns An- 

 cient and Modern," though set to different music. The 

 manuscript reached my father with a humorous little 

 note to the effect that the Dean had written the hymn 

 and put it into its hat and boots ; and that my father 

 might add the coat and trousers for himself. On look- 

 ing at the music, he found, accordingly, that only the 

 treble and bass had been supplied by the composer; 

 and, fearing to employ his own imperfect knowledge of 

 harmony in the attempt to supply the omission, he put 

 the matter into the hands of Mrs. J. Worthington Bliss 

 (Miss Lindsay), who kindly added what was necessary. 



The effect of the hymn, when sung by the vast 

 body of choristers, was almost overwhelming. From 



