[24] I cannot help thinking that a practice, common in England during the last century, and still followed in France, of printing a notice of this kind,--a notice by a competent critic,--to serve as an introduction to an eminent author's works, might be revived among us with advantage. To introduce all succeeding editions of Wordsworth, Mr. Shairp's notice might, it seems to me, excellently serve; it is written from the point of view of an admirer, nay, of a disciple, and that is right; but then the disciple must be also, as in this case he is, a critic, a man of letters, not, as too often happens, some relation or friend with no qualification for his task except affection for his author.[Arnold.] [25] See _Memoirs of William Wordsworth_, ed. 1851, II, 151, letter to Bernard Barton. PAGE 21 [26] ~Irene~. An unsuccessful play of Dr. Johnson's. PAGE 22 [27] ~Preface~. Prefixed to the second edition (1800) of the _Lyrical Ballads_. PAGE 28 [28] ~The old woman~. At the first attempt to read the newly prescribed liturgy in St. Giles's Church, Edinburgh, on July 23, 1637, a riot took place, in which the "fauld-stools," or folding stools, of the congregation were hurled as missiles. An untrustworthy tradition attributes the flinging of the first stool to a certain Jenny or Janet Geddes. PAGE 29 [29] _Pensées de J. Joubert_, ed. 1850, I, 355, titre 15, 2. PAGE 30 [30] ~French Revolution~. The latter part of Burke's life was largely devoted to a conflict with the upholders of the French Revolution. _Reflections on the Revolution in France_, 1790, and _Letters on a Regicide Peace_, 1796, are his most famous writings in this cause. PAGE 31 [31] ~Richard Price, D.D.~ (1723-91), was strongly opposed to the war with America and in sympathy with the French revolutionists. [32] From Goldsmith's epitaph on Burke in the _Retaliation_. PAGE 32 [33] ~Num. XXII~, 35. [34] ~William Eden, First Baron Auckland~ (1745-1814), English statesman. Among other services he represented English interests in Holland during the critical years 1790-93. PAGE 35 [35] ~Revue des deux Mondes~. The best-known of the French magazines devoted to literature, art, and general criticism, founded in Paris in 1831 by Francois Buloz. PAGE 36 [36] ~Home and Foreign Review~. Published in London 1862-64. PAGE 37 [37] ~Charles Bowyer Adderley, First Baron Norton~ (1814-1905), English politician, inherited valuable estates in Warwickshire. He was a strong churchman and especially interested in education and the colonies. [38] ~John Arthur Roebuck~ (1801-79), a leading radical and utilitarian reformer, conspicuous for his eloquence, honesty, and strong hostility to the government of his day. He held a seat for Sheffield from 1849 until his death. PAGE 38 [39] From Goethe's _Iphigenie auf Tauris_, I, ii, 91-92. PAGE 40