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162 The National Music of America.
of except that of being truly and exclusively patriotic in its sentiment and spirit.
" Very respectfully
" Your most obedient servant,
"Jos. Hopkinson. "Rev. Rufus W. Griswold."
It will readily be seen that all party allusions are carefully avoided in the verses ; the fourth stanza, beginning "Behold the chief who now commands," refers to the President of that time, John Adams, and not to Washington, as some commentators suppose.
It is scarcely necessary to dwell upon the faulty rhymes, the exaggerated metaphors; these were the prevailing faults of the times when the song was written.
The actor who was to benefit by Mr. Hop-kinson's hurried effort was named Gilbert Fox; he reaped a golden harvest through the loyalty of his poetic friend. The Philadelphia morning papers of April 25, 1798, contained the announcement of Mr. Fox's benefit, when there was to be performed the |
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