My present object is, to call your attention to a "Midnight Hymn," by Sir Thomas Browne, which will be found in his works (vol. ii. p. 113., edit. Wilkin). Can there be question that to it Ken is indebted for some of the thoughts and expressions in two of his own hymns? The good bishop's fame will not be lessened by his adopting what was good in the works of the learned physician. He doubtless thought far more of the benefit which he could render to the youthful Wykehamists, than of either the originality or smoothness of his own verses. _Sir Thomas Browne._ "While I do rest, my soul advance; Make my sleep a holy trance: That I may, my rest being wrought, Awake into some holy thought, And with as active vigour run My course as doth the nimble sun. "Sleep is a death: O make me try, By sleeping, what it is to die! {11} And as gently lay my head On my grave, as now my bed. "These are my drowsy days; in vain I do now wake to sleep again. O come that hour when I shall never Sleep again, but wake for ever! "Guard me 'gainst those watchful foes, Whose eyes are open while mine close; Let no dreams my head infest, But such as Jacob's temples blest." _Bishop Ken._ "Awake, my soul, and with the sun Thy daily stage of duty run. "Teach me to live that I may dread The grave as little as my bed. "O when shall I in endless day For ever chase dark sleep away, And endless praise with th' Heavenly choir, Incessant sing and never tire. "You, my blest Guardian, whilst I sleep, Close to my bed your vigils keep; Divine love into me instil, Stop all the avenues of ill. "Thought to thought, with my soul converse Celestial joys to me rehearse; And in my stead, all the night long, Sing to my God a grateful song." In the work referred to--one of the most valuable and best edited of modern days--Mr. Wilkin, when speaking of a fine passage on music in the _Religio Medici_ (vol. ii. p. 106.), asks whether it may not have suggested to Addison the beautiful conclusion of his Hymn on the Glories of Creation: "What tho' in solemn silence, all," &c. This passage in Sir Thomas Browne appears forcibly to have struck the gifted author of _Confessions of an English Opium-eater_ (see p. 106. of that work). J. H. MARKLAND. [Footnote 1: _Sketch of Bishop Ken's Life_, p. 107.] * * * * * BOHN'S EDITION OF HOVEDEN. (Vol. vii., p. 579.)