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The National Music of America. 125
spires in the town, the Appian way still remains the more famous of the two structures, and even now the bridge from Boston to Charlestown is not conveying " all nations " from "shore to shore," nor does Charles-town ' (sometimes irreverently called " Pig-town" by unregenerate youth) yet rise "in columns to the skies, and strike the astonished eyes with glories bright."
With the American of the present, however, the chief employment of the English national hymn is found in the singing of " My Country, 'tis of Thee," which has received the name of " America." This popular setting of the old English melody is due to a Baptist clergyman, Rev. Samuel F. Smith, who was born in Boston, Oct. 21, 1808. Mr. Smith was a very facile writer, editor of numerous religious publications, professor at the Waterville (Maine) College,
1 Charlestown is now incorporated with the city of Boston. |
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