a long belt of them along the shore, under the boughs of the trees. They grew among the mossy stones, about and above them; some rested their heads upon these stones, as on a pillow for weariness: and the rest tossed, and reeled, and danced, and seemed as if they verily laughed with the wind that blew upon them over the lake. They looked so gay, ever glancing, ever changing. There was here and there a little knot, and a few stragglers higher up; but they were so few as not to disturb the simplicity, unity, and life of that one busy highway."-Grasmere Journal, April 15, 1802. (31) Written of a poor widow in Penrith, who used to go out and enquire of any passing stranger for tidings of her only son. (32) This, and the three Elegiac poems that follow it, all refer to Wordsworth's brother John. (33) Peele Castle is on a small rocky island in the Isle of Man, separated from the mainland very much as St. Michael's Mount is from the Cornish coast. The picture by Sir George Beaumont is still at Coleorton Hall. (34) The parting-place of the brothers Wordsworth near Grisedale tarn is easily identified; and a memorial panel, with an inscription from these Elegiac Verses, was placed in the face of the rock by the Wordsworth Society in 1886. (35) The plant alluded to is the Moss Campion (Silene acaulis of Linnæus).-Wordsworth. (36) This was addressed to his sister Dorothy. (37) Suggested in part by the character of Lord Nelson, and in part by that of his brother John. (38) Did this refer to Coleridge? Wordsworth says it was "suggested by a change in the manner of a friend." (39) These four last lines are carved below the Poet's statue in Westminster Abbey. (40) The "vale," the "brooks," and "the fields" are at Hawkshead. (41) The Bill for the abolition of Slavery became law in March 1807. (42) At Coleorton, Leicestershire. (43) The light of this taper shone from Allan Bank; the "recess of mountains" being the Easdale heights. (44) This referred to the poet's daughter Catherine. (45) Sending this sonnet to Haydon on December 21, 1815, Wordsworth said it "was occasioned, I might say inspired, by your last letter." In Haydon's letter of November 27 the following occurs:"I have benefited and have been supported in the troubles of life by your poetry. I will bear want, pain, misery, and blindness; but I will never yield one step I have gained on the road I am determined to travel over." (46) Langdale Pikes. (47) "Suggested by my daughter Catherine long after her death."— Wordsworth. (48) Miss Blackett. (49) The kingfisher. (50) And suggested by the sight of his daughter playing in front of Rydal Mount. (51) "Thoughts and feelings of many walks, in all weathers, by day and night, over this pass, alone and with beloved friends."-Wordsworth. (52) The old Roman road to Penrith runs along the top of High Street to the east of Kirkstone Pass. (53) The Kirk-stone, near the top of the pass. (54) Composed at the mount in front of Rydal. (55) In Rydal Park. (56) To the west behind Silver Howe. (57) In the Lake country the word "scale" is usually understood in the sense of ladder. (58) The Derwent has its source in the slopes of Glaramara; and an eagle crag rises above one of its tributaries. Cockermouth is not fifteen miles distant. (59) Wrynose Fell. (60) The "parting glance" is taken just before rounding the brow of the hill. The sinuous lapse" of the rill is lost to view, and the stream plunges by a quick series of falls down the side of the fell to Wrynose Bottom. (61) The Cottage at Cockley Beck. (62) Some identify these stepping-stones with those which cross the stream at Black Hall, between Cockley Beck and Birks Brig, others with the stones opposite Seathwaite. The former better fit the order of the Sonnets, the latter are the more beautiful. (63) This is the cleft between the Pen and Wallabarrow Crag just above Seathwaite. (64) Seathwaite Chapel. (65) The Rev. Robert Walker, born at Under-crag, 1709, died at Seathwaite, June 25, 1802, known in the district as "Wonderful Walker." (66) The Tarn Beck-a tributary stream which flows from Seathwaite tarn. The chapel itself stands upon this beck, which descends the rocks in a series of water-breaks, and joins the Duddon just below Seathwaite. (67) Sonnets xxiv. to xxvii. had been devoted to "The Restingplace," &c. (68) King Henry VI. (69) St. Paul's Cathedral. (70) This was suggested by fears as to the future of Hartley Coleridge. (71) This, and the two following poems, were addressed to Mrs. Wordsworth. (72) Suggested by a print at Coleorton Hall. (73) "Suggested from apprehension of the fate of my friend, H. C." -Wordsworth. (74) "Written at Rydal, where there are no sky-larks; but the Poet is everywhere."-Wordsworth. (75) The vale of Newlands. (76) In its condensed throng of thoughts and images, this sonnet is unlike most of Wordsworth's poetry. (77) Lady Fitzgerald, as described by Lady Beaumont. (78) These lines were prefixed to the collected edition of the Poems in 1836. (79) Edith Southey. (80) Dora Wordsworth. (81) Sara Coleridge. (82) The same beneficent power attributed to the Wishing-gate is fancifully attributed to an image of Saint Bridget in the ruined Franciscan convent at Adare. (83) The following stanzas are a memorial of a day passed with Sir Walter Scott, and other friends visiting the Banks of the Yarrow under his guidance, immediately before his departure from Abbotsford, for Naples. (84) At Whitehaven. (85) The "mere" was probably that of Rydal; the "ridge" that of Silver Howe. (86) A likeness of Mrs. Wordsworth by Miss Margaret Gillies. (87) See p. 143. (88) Nab-scar. (89) Mary Wordsworth and Sarah Hutchinson |