We are indebted to Dickens for the introduction to the literary world of Adelaide Procter, many of whose sacred verses have found their way into our hymnals. The novelist wrote an introduction to her _Legends and Lyrics_, in which he tells the story of how, as editor of _Household Words_, he accepted verses sent him from time to time by a Miss Mary Berwick, and only discovered, some months later, that his contributor was the daughter of his friend Procter, who was known under the _nom de plume_ of Barry Cornwall. There seems to be some difficulty in regard to the authorship of the hymn Hear my prayer, O Heavenly Father, Ere I lay me down to sleep; Bid Thy angels, pure and holy, Round my bed their vigil keep. It has already been pointed out (see _Choir_, February, 1912) that this hymn appeared in the Christmas number of _Household Words_ for 1856, in a story entitled _The Wreck of the Golden Mary_. The chief authorities on the works of Dickens claim it as his composition, and include it in his collected works. On the other hand, Miller, in his _Our Hymns_ (1866), states that Miss Harriet Parr informed him that the hymn, and the story of _Poor Dick_, in which it occurs, were both her own. We may add that when Dr. Allon applied for permission to include it in his new hymn-book Dickens referred him to the authoress. Dr. Julian takes this as authoritative, and has no hesitation in ascribing the hymn to Miss Parr. On the other hand, Forster records in his _Life of Dickens_ that a clergyman, the Rev. R.H. Davies, had been struck by this hymn when it appeared in _Household Words_, and wrote to thank him for it. 'I beg to thank you,' Dickens answered (Christmas Eve, 1856), 'for your very acceptable letter, not the less because I am myself the writer you refer to.' Here Dickens seems to claim the authorship, but it is possible he was referring to something else in the magazine when he wrote these words, and not to the hymn. [14] Dickens frequently uses the word in this sense. Tom Pinch says, 'I shall punish the Boar's Head tremendously.' It is also interesting to note that Dickens uses the phrase 'I don't think' in its modern slang meaning on at least two occasions. Tom Pinch remarks 'I'm a nice man, I don't think, as John used to say' (_M.C._ 6), and Sam Weller (_P.P._ 38) says to Mr. Winkle 'you're a amiably-disposed young man, sir, I don't think.' Mark Tapley uses the expression 'a pious fraud' (_M.C._ 13). [15] 'Pet' (_L.D._ 2) was a frequent visitor to the Hospital. [16] From the poem on _Industry_. CHAPTER VI SONGS AND SOME SINGERS