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FAMOUS SONGS
elicited this reply. It is dated June 13th, 1795.
" Dear Sir,—The anecdote you mention, re-specting your father's being the author and composer of ' God Save the King/ is certainly true. That most respectable gentleman, my worthy friend and patient, Mr. Smith, has often told me what follows, viz., ' That your father came to him with the words and music, desiring him to correct the bass which was not proper; and at your father's request Mr. Smith wrote another bass in harmony.' Mr. Smith (John Christopher Smith, Handel's amanuensis), to whom I read your letter this day, repeated the same account, and on this authority I pledge myself for the truth of the statement.
" H. HARINGTON."
That, anyhow, seems tolerably conclusive, and until somebody can come forward and prove, not only that Carey was not the composer, but somebody whose name shall be given was, the author of " Sally in our Alley" must carry all the credit.
Henry Carey, who was a versatile and genial genius, wrote among other things some ten plays, including " Amelia," " The Contrivances," " The
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