e 575. Church-tower. St. Oswald's, Gras es 590-608. Already had the sun, etc. See posed upon an Evening of Extraordinary four and Beauty." e 690. Mysterious rites, etc. Memorials uidism are still to be seen in the Lakes. Monument commonly called Long Meg er Daughters," p. 721. e 774. we one cottage. The scene closes at Tarn House, Little Langdale. looking back over "The Excursion say with Hazlitt: "It resembles that part country in which the scene is laid. It has ame vastness and magnificence, with the nakedness and confusion. It has the overwhelming oppressive power." Leslie Stephen, alluding to the influence of e Excursion on George Eliot, says: "It is rk, which, in spite of all critical condemna, has properly impressed the spiritual deoment of many eminent persons." 1814 ge 525. LAODAMIA. 14 marks an era in the poetical life of dsworth. In the preparation of his eldest for the University, he was drawn more ly to the classic writers, especially Virgil, this country-loving poet had new delights him. The picture in the sixth Eneid suged to him this loftiest and most pathetic of poems. he hero and heroine are taken from Homer Ovid, and the poem is one of the finest and test expressions of classic beauty and finish. 3 in marked contrast to the severe rugged3 of "Michael," and the magical smoothness The Solitary Reaper," yet it is like them he perfect harmony of theme and the ex ssion. Aubrey de Vere says: "After I had read odamia' [which was his introduction to rdsworth], some strong calm hand seemed have been laid on my head; a new world ned itself out. I was translated into another net of song." Line 169. spiry trees, etc. For the account these long-lived trees, see Pliny's Natural story, lib. xvi. cap. 44; and for the features the character of Protesilaus see the "Iphigein Aulis" of Euripides. Virgil places the ade of Laodamia in a mournful region, among happy Lovers. "Fair is the Swan, whose majesty, prevailing O'er breezeless water, on Locarno's lake, Bears him on while proudly sailing He leaves behind a noon-illumined wake: Vanish inverted hill, and shadowy wood, From heaven, upon her chosen Favourite!" W. W. Lamb wrote: "The story of Dion is divine the genius of Plato falling on him like moonlight, the finest thing ever expressed." Prof. Dowden thinks the date of this poem was more probably 1816. Page 530. COMPOSED AT CORA LINN. On the 18th of July, 1814, Wordsworth, in company with his wife and Sara Hutchinson, left Rydal for a tour in Scotland. Line 6. Tower. This part of the Old Castle of Corra still stands. Page 532. YARROW VISITED. In his first visit to Scotland Wordsworth was fortunate in having made the acquaintance of Walter Scott; now he meets him whom Scott, while gathering the Border Minstrelsy, had discovered on the hills of Ettrick James Hogg. Having spent the night at Traquair, on the following morning the Ettrick Shepherd met them and became their guide to the "bonny holms of Yarrow." They were now in the one spot of all that singing country " toward which they had looked with the fondest anticipation. The spontaneous interrogation, mingled with surprise and perhaps disappointment, bursts forth, "And is this - Yarrow?” The There is no place in the Lowlands so rich in tender associations and natural beauty as the vale of Yarrow. It has been the subject of those nameless singers whose ballads were first caught and given to the world by Scott in his Border Minstrelsy. One who visits this scene should be familiar with such ballads as "The Douglas Tragedy," The Dowie Dens of Yarrow, "Lament of the Border Widow," " Song of Outlaw Murray," and "Auld Maitland," all of which belong to Yarrow and Ettrick. On an early morning in August, 1887, I went alone on my first visit to these vales. The sun was just beginning to scatter the clothing of mist and reveal the braes and bens with their graceful flowing outline, the clear streams winding through the fern and heather, the mouldering towers of Dryhope, where the Border chieftains came to woo the lovely Mary Scott, the Flower of Yarrow, and clear St. Mary's Loch visibly delighted with her exquisite setting of emerald and purple. Then it was that I appreciated these lines, "Meek loveliness is round thee spread, A softness still and holy," such was the pensive loveliness of the scene. 1815 Wordsworth published a new edition of his poems this year in two volumes. It was dedicated to Sir George Beaumont and contained his illustrations to The White Doe of Rylstone,' "Lucy Gray," The Thorn," and Peter Bell." With these poems the first great period in the creative work of the poet closes. From this time the vision and the faculty divine - so significant in conception and execution, in dignity and intensity of feeling, in sweetness, purity, and melody passed away to return only at rare moments. On receiving a gift copy of the edition from Wordsworth, Lamb wrote: "I am glad that you have not sacrificed a verse to those scoundrels [the critics], I would not have had you offer up the poorest rag that lingered upon the stript shoulders of little Alice Fell, to have atoned all their malice. I would rather be a doorkeeper in your margin, than have their text swelling with my eulogies." Page 534. To B. R. HAYDON. A more brilliant or a more pathetic career than that of Haydon is hardly to be found. Confessedly a genius of the highest order; with a love for his art which has never been surpassed; sublimely courageous in his devotion to what he considered to be his duty as a leader of Historic Painting; " surrounded by the most steadfast friends and the most subtle enemies; now upon the highest wave of favor, now lodging in a debtor's jail, and at last driven to despair at being cheated of his deserts; repeating the wail "Stretch me no longer on this tough world," . he takes his own life. What the sympathy of a man like Wordsworth meant to him is shown in his correspondence. On receiving this sonnet he wrote: "It is the highest honour that ever was paid or ever can be paid to me. You are the first English poet who has ever done complete justice to my delightful art. The Judgment of Solomon and Christ's Entry into Jerusalem showed conclusively that Haydon was the first historical painter that England had produced. The latter is now the property of the Catholic Cathedral in Cincinnati. In the diary of Henry Crabb Robinson, June 11, 1820, is the following: "Breakfasted with Monkhouse; Mr. and Mrs. Wordsworth there. We talked of Haydon; Wordsworth wants to have a large sum raised to enable Haydon to continue in his profession." Page 534. ARTEGAL AND ELIDURE. The allusions in this poem are from Milton's History, and not from The Preface." Page 541. ODE- -THE MORNING OF DAY APPOINTED FOR A GENERAL TRO GIVING. Wholly unworthy of touching upon the mentous subject here treated would ths: be, before whose eyes the present distr under which this kingdom labours could pose a veil sufficiently thick to hide, re to obscure, the splendour of this great triumph. If I have given way to exit unchecked by these distresses, it m sufficient to protect me from a charge of sibility, should I state my own belief the sufferings will be transitory. Upon the w of a very large majority of the British rested that generosity which poured out reasures of this country for the deliverance of Europe: and in the same national wisdom, preiding in time of peace over an energy not inerior to that which has been displayed in war, hey confide, who encourage a firm hope that the up of our wealth will be gradually replenished. There will, doubtless, be no few ready to indulge a regrets and repinings; and to feed a morbid atisfaction, by aggravating these burthens in magination; in order that calamity so confiently prophesied, as it has not taken the shape hich their sagacity allotted to it, may appear s grievous as possible under another. But the ody of the nation will not quarrel with the gain, ecause it might have been purchased at a less rice; and, acknowledging in these sufferings, hich they feel to have been in a great degree navoidable, a consecration of their noble fforts, they will vigorously apply themselves o remedy the evil. Nor is it at the expense of rational patriotism, r in disregard of sound philosophy, that I have iven vent to feelings tending to encourage a artial spirit in the bosoms of my countrymen, t a time when there is a general outcry against he prevalence of these dispositions. The British rmy, both by its skill and valour in the field, nd by the discipline which rendered it, to the ahabitants of the seɣeral countries where its perations were carried on, a protection from he violence of their own troops, has performed ervices that will not allow the language of ratitude and admiration to be suppressed or estrained (whatever be the temper of the pube mind) through a scrupulous dread lest the ribute due to the past should prove an injurious centive for the future. Every man deserving he name of Briton adds his voice to the chorus hich extols the exploits of his countrymen, ith a consciousness, at times overpowering the ffort, that they transcend all praise.. But his particular sentiment, thus irresistibly exited, is not sufficient. The nation would err rievously if she suffered the abuse which other tates have made of military power to prevent er from perceiving that no people ever was or an be independent, free, or secure, much less reat, in any sane application of the word, withut a cultivation of military virtues. Nor let be overlooked that the benefits derivable rom these sources are placed within the reach f Great Britain, under conditions peculiarly avourable. The same insular position which, y rendering territorial incorporation imposible, utterly precludes the desire of conquest nder the most seductive shape it can assume, nables her to rely, for her defence against forign foes, chiefly upon a species of armed force rom which her own liberties have nothing to ear. Such are the privileges of her situation; nd, by permitting, they invite her to give way o the courageous instincts of human nature, nd to strengthen and refine them by culture. But some have more than insinuated that a esign exists to subvert the civil character of he English people by unconstitutional applicaons and unnecessary increase of military power. The advisers and abettors of such a design, were it possible that it should exist, would be guilty of the most heinous crime, which, upon this planet, can be committed. Trusting that this apprehension arises from the delusive influences of an honourable jealousy, let me hope that the martial qualities which I venerate will be fostered by adhering to those good old usages which experience has sanctioned, and by availing ourselves of new means of indisputable promise: particularly by applying, in its utmost possible extent, that system of tuition whose master-spring is a habit of gradually enlightened subordination ; —- by imparting knowledge, civil, moral, and religious, in such measure that the mind, among all classes of the community, may love, admire, and be prepared and accomplished to defend, that country under whose protection its faculties have been unfolded and its riches acquired; by just dealing towards all orders of the state, so that, no members of it being trampled upon, courage may everywhere continue to rest immoveably upon its ancient English foundation, personal self-respect; by adequate rewards and permanent honours conferred upon the deserving; - by encouraging athletic exercises and manly sports among the peasantry of the country; and by especial care to provide and support institutions in which, during a time of peace, a reasonable proportion of the youth of the country may be instructed in military science. I have only to add that I should feel little satisfaction in giving to the world these limited attempts to celebrate the virtues of my country, if I did not encourage a hope that a subject, which it has fallen within my province to treat only in the mass, will by other poets be illustrated in that detail which its importance calls for, and which will allow opportunities to give the merited applause to PERSONS as well Page 561. THE PASS OF KIRKSTONE. If one is staying at Grasmere a pleasant tramp of two days may be made by crossing Helvellyn by Grisdale Tarn to Patterdale, and returning by way of Kirkstone Pass and Ambleside. From Patterdale one passes Brother's Water, the scene of the "Daffodils," and near the summit of the Pass on the right the Kirk stones. The views on the route are of surpassing beauty. From the inn to Ambleside the scenery is in marked contrast to the ruggedness and desolation of the ascent. Lines 41-48. Among the evidences of Ran occupation in these regions are the roads. K stone Pass was one of the roads by which A cola led his two columns into Westmoreland. 1818 Page 564. THE PILGRIM'S DREAM. The allusions in this poem and ii. and which follow are to the middle road over WE Moss Common. See "The Primrose of the Rock," note. Page 566. COMPOSED UPON AN EVENING* EXTRAORDINARY SPLENDOUR AND BEAUTY After the production of the immortal ( (1806) Wordsworth's inspiration did not reach that lofty height, unless upon this o sion, a sunset among the Westmoreland ha where earth and heaven are commingled wit natural magic and moral sublimity, which wa his peculiar gift to English poetry. The poet is looking toward Grasmere ar the hills about and beyond it. Line 49. Wings at my shoulders seem to pos In these lines I am under obligation to exquisite picture of "Jacob's Dream," by M Allston, now in America. It is pleasant make this public acknowledgment to a ma genius, whom I have the honour to rank ansig my friends. W. W. Page 571. I HEARD (ALAS! 'T WAS ONLY IN A DREAM).” See the Phædon of Plato, by which this sor net was suggested. W. W. Page 571. THE HAUNTED TREE. Some of the noblest forest trees in England stand in Rydal Park. The "Lady" poet's daughter, Dora. was the 1820 e larger part of the poems of this year rise of two experiences in the life of the poet : isit to the Continent, and reminiscences of ́arious visits to the Duddon valley. The interesting commentaries on the first series Dorothy's Journal, and Diary, Reminiscences Correspondence of Henry Crabb Robinson, i. age 573. "THERE IS A LITTLE UNPREDING RILL." is evident from the Fenwick note that the beside which the poet and his sister rested heir walk from Kendal to Grasmere in the ng of 1794 was Skel-Ghyll Beck, which one on the road from Bowness to Ambleside, before reaching Low Wood. It rises from Wansfell on the right, and passes behind e's Nest, the home of Mrs. Hemans, under road to the lake. See H. D. Rawnsley, The glish Lakes, vol. ii. chap. iv. age 574. ON THE DETRACTION WHICH LLOWED THE PUBLICATION OF A CERTAIN It The Wordsworths arrived in London early in ne to be present at the marriage of Mr. onkhouse. They stayed with Christopher ordsworth at the Rectory, Lambeth. as during this time that the poet visited ichmond, where Thomson is buried. Line 2. Groves. Wallachia. W. W. Lines 12-14. See Thomson, "The Seasons," ring. Page 575. MEMORIALS OF A Tour on the ONTINENT, 1820. This Series was written between 1820 and $22. Under date of July 10, 1820, Dorothy writes her Journal: "We-William, Mary and Dorothy Wordsworth -- left the Rectory House, ambeth, at a quarter to eight o'clock. Had he Union coach to ourselves till within two tages of Canterbury." Page 575. FISH-WOMEN-ON LANDING AT CALAIS. If in this sonnet I should seem to have borne a little too hard upon the personal appearance of the worthy Poissards of Calais, let me take shelter under the authority of my lamented friend, the late Sir George Beaumont. He, a most accurate observer, used to say of them, that their features and countenances seemed to have conformed to those of the creatures they dealt in; at all events the resemblance was striking. W. W. Page 576. BRUGES. This is not the first poetical tribute which in our times has been paid to this beautiful city. Mr. Southey, in the "Poet's Pilgrimage," speaks of it in lines which I cannot deny myself the pleasure of connecting with my own. "Time hath not wronged her, nor hath ruin sought Rudely her splendid structures to destroy, Save in those recent days, with evil fraught, When mutability, in drunken joy Triumphant, and from all restraint released, Let loose her fierce and many-headed beast. "But for the scars in that unhappy rage Inflicted, firm she stands and undecayed; Is hers in venerable years arrayed; And tourneys graced by Chieftains of renown, In this city are many vestiges of the splendour of the Burgundian Dukedom, and the long black mantle universally worn by the females is probably a remnant of the old Spanish connection, which, if I do not much deceive myself, is traceable in the grave deportment of its inhabitants. Brugès is comparatively little disturbed by that curious contest, or rather conflict, of Flemish with French propensities in matters of taste, so conspicuous through other parts of Flanders. The hotel to which we drove at Ghent furnished an odd instance. In the passages were paintings and statues, after the antique of Hebe and Apollo; and in the garden a little pond, about a yard and a half in diameter, with a weeping willow bending over it, and under the shade of that tree, in the centre of the pond, a wooden painted statue of a Dutch or Flemish boor, looking ineffably tender upon his mistress, and embracing her. A living duck, tethered at the feet of the sculptured lovers, alternately tormented a miserable eel and itself with endeavours to escape from its bonds and prison. Had we chanced to espy the hostess of the hotel in this quaint rural retreat, the exhibition would have been complete. She was a true Flemish figure, in the dress of the days of Holbein; her symbol of office, a weighty bunch of keys, pendent from her portly waist. In Brussels the modern taste in costume, architecture, etc., has got the mastery; in Ghent there is a struggle; but in Brugès old images are still paramount, and an air of monastic life among the quiet goings-on of a thinlypeopled city is inexpressibly soothing; a pen |