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''Hymns for the Amusement of Children'' (1771) was the final work completed by English poet Christopher Smart. It was completed while Smart was imprisoned for outstanding debt at the King's Bench Prison, and the work is his final exploration of religion. Although Smart spent a large portion of his life in and out of debt, he was unable to survive his time in the prison and died soon after completing the ''Hymns''. Smart's ''Hymns'' are one of the first works of hymns dedicated to children, and they are intended to teach Christian virtues. Unlike some of the other works produced by Smart after his release from a mental asylum, such as ''A Song to David'' or ''Hymns and Spiritual Songs'', this work was a success and went into many immediate editions. Part of the success of this work lies in the simplicity and accessibility of the text. However, Smart died before he ever saw the proceeds of the work and never learned of the book's success. ==Background== Smart was released from asylum in 1763 and published two religious works, ''A Song to David'' and ''Hymn and Spiritual Songs'', soon after. These were quickly attacked by critics that declared Smart was still "mad" and subsequently failed to become popular. Smart continued to work on religious works as he struggled to publish and support himself. However, he quickly fell into debt and, on 20 April 1770, he was arrested and sent to Debtors' prison.〔Mounsey 2001 pp. 239–271〕 On January 11, 1771, he was recommended to the King's Bench Prison.〔Mounsey p. 272〕 Although he was in prison, Charles Burney purchased the "Rules" (allowing him some freedom) in order to help make Smart's final weeks peaceful although pathetic.〔Rizzo p. 515〕 In his final letter, written to Rev. Mr. Jackson, Smart begged for three shillings in order to purchase food.〔Dearnley p. 11〕 Soon after, Smart died, May 20, 1771, from either liver failure or pneumonia, after completing his final work, ''Hymns, for the Amusement of Children''.〔 It is unknown how many poems published in the ''Hymns'' were written before Smart was imprisoned or during his final days, but at least one, titled "Against Despair" was produced during this time. A different version of the poem was published after his death in the ''Gentleman's Magazine''. This version included a note claiming, "Extempore by the late C. Smart, in the King's-Bench," which verifies that he was writing hymns throughout this time, or, at least, editing them to create a better version.〔Smart 1983 pp. 30, 4639〕 Although five editions of the ''Hymns'' were published in the 18th century, only one edition was published before Smart died.〔Smart 1983 pp. 314-315〕 This edition was published by his brother-in-law, Thomas Carnan, and was announced in the ''Public Advertiser'' 27 December 1770. However, this edition did not list Smart as the author.〔Sherbo p. 259〕 It is possible that there was a sixth edition of the ''Hymns'', but that has since "disappeared"; there is also a possible pirated edition produced by Thomas Walker. Although the work made it as far as Boston, Massachusetts, as shown by an advertisement for selling the work in 1795, no Boston editions have been found, but such editions could exist in addition to the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania edition.〔Smart 1983 pp. 316–317〕 Smart's first children's hymn was "A Morning Hymn, for all the little good boys and girls" in the ''Lilliputian Magazine'' in 1751. During this time, there were only two models for him to base his children's hymns on: the works of Isaac Watts and of Charles Wesley. Watts's work attempted to amuse children while Wesley's attempted to simplify morality for them.〔Smart 1983 pp. 309–310〕 It is possible that Smart's ''Hymns'' were not modelled on Watts's or Wesley's actual hymns or songs, but instead after a note in Watts's work the ''Divine Songs'' which says: A Slight Specimen of Moral Songs, such as I wish some happy and condescending genius would undertake for the use of children, and perform much better... The sense and subjects might be borrow'd plentifully from the ''Proverbs of Solomon'', from all the common appearances of nature, from all the occurrences in the civil life, both in city and country: (which would also afford matter for other Divine Songs.) Here the language and measures should be easy and flowing with chearfulness, and without the solemnities of religion, or the sacred names of God and holy things; that children might find delight and profit together.〔Watts 1971. p. 193〕 The work was dedicated "to his Royal Highness Prince Frederick, Bishop of Osnabrug, these hymns, composed for his amusement, are, with all due Submission and Respect, humbly inscribed to him, as the best of Bishops, by his Royal Highness's Most Obedient and Devoted Servant, Christopher Smart."〔Smart 1983 qtd. p. 323〕 Although the prince, the second son of King George III, was only seven at the time, Smart was given special permission to dedicate the work to the boy through the intervention with the royal family by either Richard Dalton or the King's Chaplain, William Mason.〔Dearnley p. 283〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Hymns for the Amusement of Children」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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