means to be omitted, and therefore, though unwilling to lengthen the Epitaph, I added the two following Labours of his own, Whether he traced historic truth with zeal Or judgments sanctioned in the Patriot's mind I do not feel with you in respect to the word "so;" it refers, of course, to the preceding line, and as the reference is to fireside feelings and intimate friends, there appears to me a propriety in an expression inclining to the colloquial. The couplet was the dictate of my own feelings, and the construction is accordingly broken and rather dramatic,—but too much of this. If you have any objection to the couplet as altered, be so kind as let me know; if not, on no account trouble yourself to answer this letter. Prematurely I object to as you do. I used the word with reference to that decay of faculties which is not uncommon in advanced life, and which often leads to dotage,-but the word must not be retained. We regret much to hear that Lady Coleridge is unwell, pray present to her our best wishes. What could induce the Bishop of London to forbid the choral service at St Marks? It was in execution, I understand, above all praise. Ever most faithfully yours, W. WORDSWORTH. December 2d, '43. MY DEAR MR JUSTICE COLERIDGE, The first line would certainly have more spirit by reading "your" as you suggest. I had previously considered that; but decided in favour of "the," as "your," I thought, would clog the sentence in sound, there being "ye" thrice repeated, and followed by "you" at the close of the 4th line. I also thought that "your" would interfere with the application of "you" at the end of the fourth line, to the whole of the particular previous images as I intended it to do. But I don't trouble you with this Letter on that account, but merely to ask you whether the couplet now standing :"Large were his aims, yet in no human breast Could private feelings find a holier nest." would not be better thus "Could private feelings meet in holier rest." This alteration does not quite satisfy me, but I can do no better. The word "nest" both in itself and in conjunction with "holier" seems to me somewhat bold and rather startling for marble, particularly in a Church. I should not have thought of any alteration in a merely printed poem, but this makes a difference. If you think the proposed alteration better, don't trouble yourself to answer this; if not, pray be so kind as to tell me so by a single line. I would not on any account have trespassed on your time but for this public occasion. We are sorry to hear of Lady Coleridge's indisposition; pray present to her our kind regards and best wishes for her recovery, united with the greetings of the season both for her and yourself, and believe me faithfully, Your obliged, RYDAL MOUNT, December 23rd, '43. WM. WORDSWORTH. TO THE MEMORY OF ROBERT SOUTHEY, A MAN EMINENT FOR GENIUS, OBSCURED BY A SLOWLY-WORKING AND INSCRUTABLE MALADY UNDER READER PONDER THE CONDITION TO WHICH THIS GREAT AND AND LEARN FROM HIS EXAMPLE TO MAKE TIMELY USE OF THY COPY OF THE PRINTED INSCRIPTION. SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF ROBERT SOUTHEY, WHOSE MORTAL REMAINS YE torrents, foaming down the rocky steeps, His eyes have closed! and ye, loved books, no more Shall Southey feed upon your precious lore, To works that ne'er shall forfeit their renown Adding immortal labours of his own— Whether he traced historic truth, with zeal His joys, his griefs, have vanished like a cloud TO THE REV. CHRISTOPHER WORDSWORTH, D.D. MASTER OF HARROW SCHOOL.* After the perusal of his Theophilus Anglicanus, recently published. ENLIGHTENED Teacher, gladly from thy hand O may these lessons be with profit scanned To thy heart's wish, thy labour blest by God! So the bright faces of the young and gay RYDAL MOUNT, Dec. 11, 1843. * The poet's nephew, afterwards canon of Westminster, and bishop of Lincoln, and the biographer of his uncle.-ED. Is then no nook of English ground secure From rash assault? * Schemes of retirement sown In youth, and 'mid the busy world kept pure As when their earliest flowers of hope were blown, 'Mid his paternal fields at random thrown? Speak, passing winds; ye torrents, with your strong October 12th, 1844. * The degree and kind of attachment which many of the yeomanry feel to their small inheritances can scarcely be over-rated. Near the house of one of them stands a magnificent tree, which a neighbour of the owner advised him to fell for profit's sake. “Fell it!" exclaimed the yeoman, “I had rather fall on my knees and worship it." It happens, I believe, that the intended railway would pass through this little property, and I hope that an apology for the answer will not be thought necessary by one who enters into the strength of the feeling.-W. W., 1845. Compare the two letters on the Kendal and Windermere Railway, contributed by Wordsworth to The Morning Post, and republished in this volume.-ED. + Orresthead is the height close to Windermere, to the north of the town.-ED. PROUD were ye, Mountains, when, in times of old, Intrenched your brows; ye gloried in each scar: The following sonnet by Mr Rawnsley-suggested by a recent attempt to introduce a mineral railway into Borrowdale-may be read in connection with Wordsworth's sonnets.-ED. A CRY FROM DERWENTWATER. Shall then the stream of ruinous Lodore Not fill the valley with its changeful sound Of mocking waves upon an iron shore, Whereby nor health nor happiness is found! While steam-wains drag from Honister's heart wound Burst forth ye sulphurous fountains, as ye broke WRAY VICARAGE, AMBLESIDE. |