David Baptie, A Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1900)
“ About 1799 he published a 'Set of Six Glees,' one of which, 'Hail, smiling morn,' at once caught the public ear, and has ever since retained its popularity. Another, 'Fill high the grape's exulting stream,' gained a prize in 1810. Spofforth's masterpieces however are not among his prize glees, and 'Come, bounteous May,' 'Mark'd you her eye,' 'Health to my dear,' and 'How calm the evening'—all for male voices—are among the finest specimens of his genius. Few English composers perhaps have excelled Spofforth in lively fancy, joined to pure chaste style. ”
