The first published score of "Rule, Britannia" enables us to note that both words and music have undergone considerable changes, some of them undoubtedly improvements and others the reverse. The elimination of the short ritornelles, or symphonies, which Arne wrote between the several lines of the verses, brings the subject-matter closer together and makes it more adaptable for a national song. On the other hand, the alteration of the melody in the last bar of the solo cannot be commended, neither can the change of melody and harmony at the end of the first bar of the chorus. As originally composed it was very strong, virile, and characteristic of Arne. It would, however, be injudicious now to attempt to restore the original; custom and the popular ear have stereotyped the prevailing version. It is noteworthy that Chappell's "Popular Music of the Olden Time," and also the reprint of that work, give the erroneous version without comment. The _Gentleman's Magazine_ of 1755, with the exception of some typographical errors, faithfully follows the composer. It would be interesting to ascertain who first tampered with the Ode. William Horsley published an edition about 1840, which is correct. The words have also been badly treated. The original says "guardian angels _sung_ this strain," and the command "Rule, Britannia, _rule_ the waves" has been changed to an assertion that "Britannia rules the waves." This error may without difficulty be avoided in future. After the performance of "Alfred" at Cliefden, we can trace no public representation of any of the music before the 21st July, 1742, when Mrs. Arne sang the air, "O Peace, thou fairest child of Heaven," at a concert in Dublin.