So sweet, they cast on all things round,
A spell of melody profound:
They charm'd the river in his flowing,
They stay'd the night-wind in its blowing,
They lull'd the lily to her rest,
Upon the Cherwell's heaving breast."
To those interested in this subject, so full of historical and classical, as well as poetical associations, I would mention that a late Master of Caius College, Cambridge, the Rev. Dr. Davy, printed some years since, for private circulation, a small pamphlet entitled Observations on Mr. Fox's Letter to Mr. Grey, in which he refutes that eminent statesman's theory of the merry note of the nightingale. This pamphlet is so full of elegance and classical research, that it is much to be regretted, not only that it has never been published, but that it is the only work of the learned author—the friend and associate of Porson, of Parr, and of Maltby. I possess a presentation copy, which, as only a very few copies were printed, I would gladly lend to any of your readers interested in this curious and long-pending controversy.
Norris Deck.
Cambridge.
Add to the already long list, this from Spenser: