Compare De Quincey’s account of the disaster that befell the Greens, as reported in his _Early Recollections of Grasmere_. The Wordsworths had evidently taken part in the effort to raise subscriptions in behalf of the orphan children. They issued a printed appeal on the subject. The following is an extract from a letter of Dorothy Wordsworth’s to Lady Beaumont on the subject:-- “GRASMERE, _April 20th, 1808_. “We received your letter this morning, enclosing the half of a £5 note. I am happy to inform you that the orphans have been fixed under the care of very respectable people. The baby is with its sister--she who filled the Mother’s place in the house during their two days of fearless solitude. It has clung to her ever since, and she has been its sole nurse. I went with two ladies of the Committee (in my sister’s place, who was then confined to poor John’s bedside) to conduct the family to their separate homes. The two Girls are together, as I have said; two Boys at another Home; and the third Boy by himself at the house of an elderly man who had a particular friendship for their father. The kind reception that the children met with was very affecting.” See the letters from Wordsworth to Richard Sharpe, Esq., Mark Lane, London, in a subsequent volume, referring to the catastrophe.--ED. Who weeps for strangers? Many wept For George and Sarah Green; Wept for that pair’s unhappy fate, Whose grave may here be seen.[377] By night, upon these stormy fells,[378] 5 Did wife and husband roam; Six little ones at home had left, And could not find that home.[379] For _any_ dwelling-place of man As vainly did they seek. 10 He perish’d; and a voice was heard-- The widow’s lonely shriek.[380] Not many steps, and she was left[381] A body without life-- A few short steps were the chain that bound[382] 15 The husband to the wife.[383] Now do those[384] sternly-featured hills Look gently on this grave; And quiet now are the depths[385] of air, As a sea without a wave. 20 But deeper lies the heart of peace In quiet more profound;[386] The heart of quietness is here Within this churchyard bound.[387] And from all agony of mind 25 It keeps them safe, and far From fear and grief, and from all need Of sun or guiding star.[388] O darkness of the grave! how deep,[389] After that living night-- 30 That last and dreary living one Of sorrow and affright!