Produced by Distributed Proofreaders 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."