GOD SAVE THE KING (or QUEEN), the noble national anthem of Great Britain, and by adoption that of several,of the German states, and which is played and sung in every part of the British empire alike on solemn and festive occasions, has been a subject of controversy with respect to its origin. Its words are apparently imitated from the Domine Salvum of the Catholic church service. In the authorship has been generally attributed to. Dr. John Bull, born 1563; in 1591 organist in queen Elizabeth's chapel; 1596, professor of music in Gresham college, and chamber-musician of James I. About the period of the discovery of the gunpowder plot, lie composed and played on a small organ before the an ode beginning with the words, "God save great James our king." He died at Lubeck, 1622. It does not appear, however, that this or any other old composition of a similar title had any connection with that which we now possess. Chappell, in his Popular Music of the Olden Tone, and Dr. Fink, a German
musical antiquary. have settled the question; the honor of this great work, bon words mid melody, must he given to Dr. Henry Carey, an English poet and musician, born in London about 1696, died 1743. The words and music were composed in honor of a birthday of George II., and performed for the first time at a dinner given on that occasion in 1740 by the Mercers' company of London. The words and music were first published iu the Ilhrswnia Anglican, 1742, and appeared in the Gentleman's Magazine, 174.5. The air, according to Dr. Arne, has preserved its original form, but its harmonies have been modified by various artists; and the words were changed on the accession of William IV„, and on that of queen Victoria.