[Illustration: W. WORDSWORTH.] MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM WORDSWORTH [Illustration: RYDAL MOUNT] LONDON, PARTRIDGE & OAKEY. MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM WORDSWORTH, COMPILED FROM AUTHENTIC SOURCES; WITH NUMEROUS QUOTATIONS FROM HIS POEMS, ILLUSTRATIVE OF HIS LIFE AND CHARACTER. BY JANUARY SEARLE, AUTHOR OF “LIFE, CHARACTER, AND GENIUS OF EBENEZER ELLIOTT,” “LEAVES FROM SHERWOOD FOREST,” ETC. LONDON: PARTRIDGE & OAKEY, PATERNOSTER ROW. MDCCCLII. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. William Wordsworth is the father of a new school of Poetry, and his name marks an era in the literature of England, which is full of deep interest to the philosophical inquirer. He began his career with profound convictions respecting the nature and functions of poetry; its dignity as an art, and the immense capabilities it afforded for the utterance of sublime and ennobling truths, and for the furtherance of human liberty and happiness. He saw, too, that the old Harp of the Bards was profaned by the touch of uninspired, and even frivolous hands; and he determined, if possible, to rescue it from their keeping, and restore it once again to its divine uses, and ancient melody. To accomplish this grand object, he devoted all his faculties and culture, and was so deeply impressed with the idea that this was his especial mission upon earth, that he retired amongst the mountains and lakes of Westmoreland--a solemn and lonely man--holding converse with the Invisible through the Visible forms of Nature, and thus fitting himself for the priestly office to which he aspired. And in all the years of his noviciate--through all the time when, by universal acclamation, he stood crowned with the sacred laurels of the Bard--and his mission was accredited by all men--he never for a moment flagged in his purpose, or stooped to the garlands of fame,--but gathering his prophet’s mantle around him, he pursued his undeviating course, alike regardless of applause, condemnation, and persecution. He had looked well into his own heart, before he set out on his perilous enterprise; had measured well his own strength of purpose, and capability of performance; knew, in short, what he had to do, and did it.