The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth — Volume 5 (of 8)Wordsworth, William
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The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth — Volume 5 (of 8)
Wordsworth, William
English poetry -- 18th century; English poetry -- 19th century
Having said much of the injury done to this churchyard, let me add, that
one is at liberty to look forward to a time when, by the growth of the
yew-trees thriving there, a solemnity will be spread over the place that
will in some degree make amends for the old simple character which has
already been so much encroached upon, and will be still more every year.
I will here set down, by way of memorial, that my friend Sir George
Beaumont, having long ago purchased the beautiful piece of water called
Loughrigg Tarn, on the banks of which he intended to build, I told him
that a person in Kendal who was attached to the place wished to purchase
it. Sir George, finding the possession of no use to him, consented
to part with it, and placed the purchase-money--£20--at my disposal,
for any local use which I thought proper. Accordingly, I resolved to
plant yew-trees in the churchyard; and had four pretty strong large oak
enclosures made, in each of which was planted, under my own eye, and
principally if not entirely by my own hand, two young trees, with the
intention of leaving the one that throve best to stand. Many years after,
Mr. Barber, who will long be remembered in Grasmere, Mr. Greenwood (the
chief landed proprietor), and myself, had four other enclosures made in
the churchyard at our own expense, in each of which was planted a tree
taken from its neighbour, and they all stand thriving admirably, the
fences having been removed as no longer necessary. May the trees be taken
care of hereafter, when we are all gone; and some of them will perhaps,
at some far-distant time, rival in majesty the yew of Lorton, and those
which I have described as growing at Borrowdale, where they are still to
be seen[E] in grand assemblage.
And now for the persons that are selected as lying in the churchyard. But
first for the individual whose grave is prepared to receive him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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