This famous song, which Heine once declared expressed the whole character of the English people, made its first appearance in _The Masque of Alfred_ (1740). XX This song is at least as old as the reign of Queen Anne. In the British Museum there are many half-sheet copies, with music. The earliest begins, ‘Here’s a health to the Queen,’ &c. XXI The first print of our National Anthem is to be found in _Harmonica Anglicana_, a collation of part songs (_circa_ 1742). This copy consists of two stanzas only. The third made its appearance when _Harmonica Anglicana_ was extended to two volumes, with the new title _Thesaurus Musicus_. The copy printed in the _Gentleman’s Magazine_ (October 1745) contains the three stanzas given here, and is called, ‘A Song for Two Voices sung at both play-houses.’ XXII Sung in Garrick’s pantomime, _The Harlequin’s Invasion_, produced December 31, 1759. XXIII _Odes_ (‘Printed for A. Millar in the Strand,’ 1746), and Dodsley’s _Museum_ (iv., 1749). XXIV-XXV The first was written ‘after reading Hume’s _History_ in 1780’ (Benham). The second was written in September 1782. The _Royal George_ (108 guns) was being repaired at Spithead (August 29, 1782), when she capsized and sank instantly. Rear-Admiral Richard Kempenfelt was then under orders to proceed to the relief of Gibraltar. XXVI-XXVIII The first is from _The Oddities, a Table Entertainment_ (1789-1790), and its original title was _Poor Tom, or the Sailor’s Epitaph_. The second was first sung in _The Wags, or the Camp of Pleasure_ (October 18, 1790). The third was first sung in _A Tour to Land’s End_ (1798), and its original title was _Yo heave ho!_ The first collected edition of Charles Dibdin’s songs was issued in five volumes from 1790 to 1799. XXIX The air of _The British Grenadiers_ is at least as old as the reign of Elizabeth, and is one of the most characteristic of the English National airs. The words here given are from a copy (with music) about a hundred and fifty years old. XXX Chappell dates this song 1758. The matter is not free from doubt, but the reference in the second stanza to ‘Brighton Camp’ is a clue. There were encampments along the south coast (1758-9) when Hawke and Rodney were watching the French fleet in Brest Harbour. The song appears to be English, although it has appeared in several collections of Irish music. I have omitted several stanzas which appear in Chappell’s version (_Popular Music of the Olden Time_, vol. ii. p. 710). XXXI From _Lock and Key_, ‘a musical entertainment,’ first performed at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden (_circa_ 1790). XXXII From two of the _Prophetic Books_ entitled _Jerusalem_ and _Milton_ respectively, and both published in 1804. XXXIII