Wordsworth

Wordsworth, by F. W. H. Myers

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Title: Wordsworth
Author: F. W. H. Myers
Release Date: August, 2005 [EBook #8747] [Yes, we are more than
one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on August 9,
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Language: English
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WORDSWORTH ***

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WORDSWORTH
BY F. W. H. MYERS
"From worlds not quickened by the sun A portion of the gift is won; An
intermingling of Heaven's pomp is spread On ground which British
shepherds tread."

CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
BIRTH AND EDUCATION--CAMBRIDGE
CHAPTER II.
RESIDENCE IN LONDON AND IN FRANCE
CHAPTER III.
MISS WORDSWORTH--"LYRICAL BALLADS"--SETTLEMENT
AT GRASMERE

CHAPTER IV.
THE ENGLISH LAKES
CHAPTER V.
MARRIAGE--SOCIETY--HIGHLAND TOUR
CHAPTER VI.
SIR GEORGE BEAUMONT--DEATH OF JOHN WORDSWORTH
CHAPTER VII
"HAPPY WARRIOR" AND PATRIOTIC POEMS
CHAPTER VIII
CHILDREN--LIFE AT RYDAL MOUNT--"THE EXCURSION"
CHAPTER IX
POETIC DICTION--"LAODAMIA"--"EVENING ODE"
CHAPTER X
NATURAL RELIGION
CHAPTER XI
ITALIAN TOUR--"ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS"--POETICAL
VIEWS-- LAUREATESHIP
CHAPTER XII
LETTERS ON THE KENDAL AND WINDERMERE
RAILWAY--CONCLUSION

CHAPTER I.
BIRTH AND EDUCATION--CAMBRIDGE.
I cannot, perhaps, more fitly begin this short biography than with some
words in which its subject has expressed his own feelings as to the
spirit in which such a task should be approached. "Silence," says
Wordsworth, "is a privilege of the grave, a right of the departed: let him,
therefore, who infringes that right by speaking publicly of, for, or
against, those who cannot speak for themselves, take heed that he opens
not his mouth without a sufficient sanction. Only to philosophy
enlightened by the affections does it belong justly to estimate the
claims of the deceased on the one hand, and of the present age and
future generations on the other, and to strike a balance between them.
Such philosophy runs a risk of becoming extinct among us, if the
coarse intrusions into the recesses, the gross breaches upon the
sanctities, of domestic life, to which we have lately been more and
more accustomed, are to be regarded as indications of a vigorous state
of public feeling. The wise and good respect, as one of the noblest
characteristics of Englishmen, that jealousy of familiar approach which,
while it contributes to the maintenance of private dignity, is one of the
most efficacious guardians of rational public freedom."
In accordance with these views the poet entrusted to his nephew, the
late Bishop of Lincoln, the task of composing memoirs of his life, in
the just confidence that nothing would by such hands be given to the
world which was inconsistent with the dignity either of the living or of
the dead. From those memoirs the facts contained in the present work
have been for the most part drawn. It has, however, been my fortune,
through hereditary friendships, to have access to many manuscript
letters and much oral tradition bearing upon the poet's private life;[1]
and some details and some passages of letters hitherto unpublished,
will appear in these pages. It would seem, however, that there is but
little of public interest, in Wordsworth's life which has not already been
given to the world, and I have shrunk from narrating such minor
personal incidents as he would himself have thought it needless to
dwell upon. I have endeavoured, in short, to write as though the Subject

of this biography were himself its Auditor, listening, indeed, from some
region where all of truth is discerned, and nothing but truth desired, but
checking by his venerable presence, any such revelation as public
advantage does not call for, and private delicacy would condemn.
As regards the critical remarks which these pages contain. I have only
to say that I have carefully consulted such notices of the poet as his
personal friends have left us[1], and also, I believe, nearly every
criticism of importance which has appeared on his works. I find with
pleasure that a considerable