some of the Glens, and Hills, and Lakes of the teemed himself happy in being one of Christ's Highlands; but to him who admires, and loves disciples. to wander amid the beautiful and quiet scenery It will readily be imagined that I was drawn, of running stream, glassy lake, and lofty hill, and almost irresistibly, to Rydal Church, for it is who feels how much the mansion of the poet, there that the great and good Wordsworth conthe cottage of the historian, the village spire, and stantly attended; and I had a strong desire both the village itself, half hid among the trees, add to see and become acquainted with the venerato the loveliness of the landscape, there is no ble poet. The church is about a mile and a half place more likely to win upon his affections than froin Ambleside, and a very pleasant walk I found the vicinity of Windermere, Ulleswater, Rydal, it to be, this bright and cheerful morning, so sugKeswick, and other points in the Lake District. gestive of wholesome reflections and so full of Without venturing to decide upon a question res-indications of God's goodness and mercy to our pecting which there is much room for discussion. race. The edifice is small, containing only about I may perhaps be pardoned for saying that while thirty pews, with a single aisle through the midI enjoyed very highly the majesty and wild gran- dle of the church; it was built by Lady Flemdeur of the Highland lakes and mountains, I was ing, who resides at Rydal Hall, close by, and is nevertheless more deeply interested in Winder- the "lady of the manor." On the Sunday on mere and Rydal Water than I can well express; which I was present the church was well filled, and I felt, as never I had felt before, how apt and meet was this lovely region for such men and christians as Southey, Coleridge and Wordsworth:-alas, that they are gone, and, like the righteous, taken away from the evil to come!

"Sed omnes una manet nox Et calcanda semel via leti."

Late in the afternoon of a rather lowering day, after passing over a very hilly portion of road, I reached Ambleside, a small town situate in the vale of the Rothay, about ten miles from Patterdale on Ulleswater, and one from Windermere. While riding along and crossing a lofty ridge, I noticed a rather curious sign on the front of the small inn, or farm-house by the road side, to this effect this is the highest inhabited house in England;" which, I was assured, is the fact, this spot being between eighty and ninety feet higher than any other where man has taken up his residence. On arriving at Ambleside, I found very comfortable accommodation at the Salutation Hotel," which I venture to commend to all travellers.

the services were performed as usual in the Church of England, and I had the pleasure of listening to a discourse from the Rector in aid of the funds of the Society for the Promotion of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. He made honorable mention of the Episcopal Church in the United States, an offshoot of the Church of England, and which, though now vigorous and flourishing, was in early days indebted to this venerable society for fostering care and support. After service, I had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with the Rev. Mr. Fleming, the incumbent of the parish; and I spent some two or three hours in very agreeable intercourse with him and his interesting family; in the afternoon I was gratified with the opportunity of hearing a sermon from the Rev. Mr. Hill, who married one of the poet Southey's daughters.

I had determined, as on every account most fitting, not to intrude upon Wordsworth's privacy and retirement on the Lord's day; but begged my friend, Mrs. Fleming, to say to him for me, that I would, with his permission, wait upon him in the morning. This was directly after church, when the congregation had mostly dispersed. So The next day was Sunday, a lovely day in ap- soon, however, as the excellent old man learned pearance and reality. The few clouds that ob- that I was from America, and connected by frascured the brightness of the sun now and then, ternal ties with some near and dear friends of his only served to make it seem more brilliant and on this side the Atlantic, he came immediately cheering when they were dispersed; and the up to me, took my hand with paternal regard, quiet stillness of the scenery; the repose of every and begged me to walk with him to his house. object; the Sunday garb of the poor man and I could not decline an invitation so cordially his children; the groups of men, women and given, and so, walking by his side, and entering children walking to church, both across the green at once into a most pleasant conversation, I acfields and along the high road; the equipage of companied him to Rydal Mount. The road that the rich and noble, going to the same temple to leads to it is finely gravelled, but rather steep and offer up "common prayer" with all, high and fatiguing to inexperienced pedestrians. Some low, there assembled; these and such like things, ten or fifteen minutes brought us to the timewhich are almost peculiarly English, rendered honored residence of the poet, who, with the the day and the season of rest most soothing, greatest courtesy and consideration, pointed out peaceful and profitable to the looker-on who es- the various objects of interest near his mansion.

There, directly in front, at some distance, lay in Even here my pleasure did not end, for the kind calm and silent majesty, the lovely Windermere, and gentlemanly host himself accompanied me the largest of the English lakes, being ten miles down the hill and walked a long distance up the in length and more than a mile in width in some road toward Ambleside whither I was returning. places. There, a little to the right, were those It would be difficult, nay, I think, almost im hills entitled Loughrigg and Clappergate, rising possible for me to tell you how deep an impres aloft with jagged sides and having near their base sion this afternoon and evening spent in Wordsclumps of trees and bushes. Farther on, to the worth's company made upon my mind. The right, lay Rydal Water, one of the smallest, but deep-toned philosophy, the amiable spirit, the certainly one of the most beautiful of the lakes. wise and thoughtful character, the curiosa feliciwith its woody islets and picturesque shores. tas of expression which marked his converse, Almost at our feet, was the sweet little village and the keen, piercing, though rather small black of Rydal and the tower of the church rising eye, which age had not dimmed, and which now amid the trees. On our left, were thick woods sparkled with lofty sentiment, or was now fixed and undulating hills and fields of grain and grass: on the countenance of the listener, with grave the whole forming a landscape of no common earnestness, gave a charm and attractiveness to beauty and attractiveness, and when seen in such our intercourse which I shall in vain strive to excompany, with its manifold and various loveli-press in words. It was not so much what was ness pointed out by so true and profound an ad-said, for I profess to you that I am not able to mirer of nature's works, more captivating than I give you in detail the topics on which he discan find words to express.

coursed so well; it was not his words, nor even his sentiments on the various interesting subjects which were started, for I should fail were I to attempt to set them forth with accuracy; it was not, as it seemed to me, because he talked like

I thought it but proper to apologise in few, but heartily uttered words, for giving Wordsworth the trouble of walking up and down to get at the points of interest and beauty, since a man of his years ought not to be taxed too much in the way of Coleridge, whose conversation was oftimes on exertion. He promptly rejected any plea of excuse on this score. "Oh," said he, smiling pleasantly, "don't say a word; I can walk my twenty miles a day with any of you :" and I observed both on this and on other occasions when I had the pleasure of being in his company, that his step was elastic and vigorous, and his movements uncommonly active for one who was within a year of fourscore.

stilts, and who went on like one lecturing before a set audience; nay, rather it was, if I may so express it, because he talked so simply, so naturally, so pleasantly, and withal so acutely, that one listened to him as a child might and ought to listen to a parent, where not the words but the spirit is imbibed, not the expressions used are remembered and treasured up so much as the affection which prompted, and the tone and manNearly an hour was spent in rambling about ner in which the instruction was conveyed. I with the poet and gazing upon the beauties of fear that I am not making the idea, which floats that region which he had chosen for his residence, through my mind, either very clear or very comwhere alone he seemed to breathe freely and prehensible; yet I am not without hope that the where he had chosen to end his career. I was thoughtful reader will catch a glimpse of my preparing to leave, with the understanding that meaning, and will appreciate, to some extent at I might have the privilege of calling on him the least, the advantages which so unexpectedly fell next day, when he politely urged me to go with to my lot. Have you never, dear reader, been him into his cottage-house, whose woodbine privileged to sit at the feet of one who was as porch seemed a meet entrance to a bard's quiet pure and good as he was wise and learned; one home. I was, I confess, nothing loth to accede whose grace of manner was as irresistible as his to his request; so I followed my venerable host, affectionate interest in your welfare was soothwas introduced to Mrs. Wordsworth, and to ing and inspiriting; one who threw a charm over others, saw his grandchildren, got engaged in every topic, breathed life into every subject, gave conversation on various subjects, and-what dignity to every question? I doubt not you have, wonder is it?—remained for hours in the delightful study of the poet, enjoying a feast of good things which I can hardly ever again expect to meet with. There I was when tea was handed round, and there I spent my evening, delighted, gratified, proud and happy, till, quite ashamed of my unreasonably long visit, so out of all proportion, and yet so hard to cut short, I rose to go and made my parting greetings to all around.

and I cau appeal to you to believe me that Wordsworth was such an one as this, and that purity, wisdom and goodness characterized his social and domestic intercourse.

It was but in keeping with the venerable poet's usual manner to turn the conversation to such subjects as his guest could speak upon with tolerable assurauce. He inquired earnestly and even affectionately respecting the progress and condi

tion of the Protestant Episcopal Church, or, to as that goes they may not like their brethren to use his own words, "As I must call it, the across the Atlantic any too well; but I am sure English Church in America." It needs not that English gentlemen and men of all classes here that I repeat his gratulations, or speak of who have any tolerable information and are not the pleasure it afforded me to be able to give him trammelled by the narrow and absurd prejudices very full and accurate information on the state of past days of strife and dispute, are, with hardly of religion generally in the United States. His an exception, not only polite and attentive to inquiries extended to other matters. He did me Americans who know how to behave themselves the honor to ask me of things which Englishmen, with proper self-respect, (as all, I am ashamed to I am sorry to say, do not always either care or try say, do not,) but are also courteous and full of to understand, and while he reprobated some cordiality, far beyond what the rules of refined points in our policy or four social arrangements society impose upon them. I venture to assert with a severity not unexpected if not unmerited, this deliberately, without fear of contradiction, he was frank enough to admit that there were notwithstanding the occasional bitterness and difficulties in the way greater than he had sup- outbreaks of dislike and malice which one meets posed, and that it is no easy matter to effect so- with in the Times, or that organ of toryism, cial or civil reform. He spoke strongly against Blackwood's, Magazine. These represent the slavery, as all his countrymen are in the habit of feelings of a class of persons in England, but a doing whenever they meet an American; and small class compared with the people at large; he dissented entirely from some of our axioms, some such, now and then, I have encountered, respecting civil and political rights and privileges; and on a very few occasions I have felt vexed yet, when I had, in as clear and straightforward and indignant at their conceit and abominable a manner as I was able, set forth the inherent dif- prejudice, but I must do Englishmen the justice culties connected with the whole subject of slave- to say, that so far as my experience has enabled ry, and particularly as it exists under the provi- me to judge, I have been treated even better for sions of the Constitution of the United States, and being an American than if I had first drawn when I had attempted to present fairly the neither breath in her Majesty's dominions. Hence, I few nor small reasons for our belief in equality believe that though there may and always will be of political rights and our dislike of nobility, more or less rivalry between the two nations, the royal state, and legally established differences frequent intercourse, the similarity of interests, between man aud man, he candidly confessed the strong bond of language, literature and free that these were matters well worthy his further principles will serve to make us know each consideration. At the same time he took occa-other better and better and unite us more and sion to avow his partiality for America, his deep more closely in the bonds of brotherhood. interest in her welfare, his ardent wish to see In the course of our pleasant converse the both countries united more and more strongly in venerable poet spoke most kindly of his brother the bonds of brotherhood and his conviction of bards across the Atlantic, whom he knew to the transcendant greatness of our beloved coun- some extent, though not so generally as I had try in the future. supposed. He had met with some of the proIn this connection Wordsworth declared, what ductions of Longfellow and admired them very I believe from quite extensive and certainly care- much: Bryant's poems he appeared to consider ful observation to be true, that the feelings of more striking and more full of America than any Englishmen towards Americans are not what thing which he had seen; and his noble descripMr. Cooper and others have represented them tions of American scenery had made a deep imto be, viz., those of dislike and even hatred, but pression upon Wordsworth. Mrs. Sigourney he the reverse. Jealousy on the part of some, nay, had seen, and several of her pieces he had read, many, may and probably does exist, and so far and he spoke of them kindly and gently, as characterized by sweetness and melody, but as not to be ranked with the higher efforts of poetic ge*"A few of the public writers here affect to maintain nius. Of American writers in general he exthat there as no general inimical sentiment or prejudice pressed a high opinion, taking occasion at the in England against the United States, with the Edinburgh Review at their head. It might as well be denied that same time to censure severely the course of some the sun appears in the east and sets in the west. The of our countrymen who forget what is due to feeling is as apparent as the day, it mingles with every their hosts as well as themselves, and for mere thought, colors every concession, and even tempers the popular purposes, help to fan the expiring flame charities. Every American established in the country asof discord and national jealousy. But such serts it, all travellers believe it, even Captain Hall and

other writers confess it, and four out of five, on the spot, names as Irving, Prescott, Marshall, Kent, Stowhen circumstances induce frankness, admit it."---ENG-ry and many others were treasured up by him LAND. By an American, vol. ii, p. 135. 1837. with affectionate interest.

Naturally enough while talking of such mat-joining the study is another parlor, not large, ters the subject of international copyright was but like the study filled with books, and like it introduced. Wordsworth felt strongly on this also looking out upon the lovely landscape in point, and spoke strongly; he condemned with- front of the mansion. The ceilings of the rooms out reserve the unfair and ungenerous advantage are low and cottage like in their simplicity; the which is taken by publishers on both sides of the furniture is plain but solid, rich and admirably Atlantic, giving the author no benefit of his la- harmonious; and the arrangements in general bors beyond what he can obtain at home. He are in keeping with the absence of all show and expressed himself deliberately as of opinion that pretension on the part of the poet, whose mind so far from its being of advantage to us in America seemed to be of too high an order to pay great to get the productions of learning and genius heed to the mere externals of his house and its without paying for them as we ought to do, it decorations. I do not know that I can describe was prejudicial to the last degree to our own lit- Rydal Mount better than by saying in few words, erature. For what inducement is there to an that it is a place at which you feel at home alAmerican author to spend his time and his tal- most at once. There is no grandeur or state to ents on works for which he shall receive little or frighten or annoy one, but you enter as it were no remuneration? Why need he study and toil a familiar place, you are in the presence of those to produce some solid and lasting work in the- who will not allow you to be ill at ease, and in ology, medicine, law, science or general litera-half an hour's time you can hardly believe that ture, when the publishers will not give him a you have not known the persons and all you see penny for what he has done, and when all they about you for years instead of so brief a space. have to do is to take their choice out of the mul- Jam satis est. Those hours are indelibly graven titude of able productions in all departments of in my memory; that quiet, peaceful, happy learning in the mother country? Again, how Christian home I can never forget; and I shall unjust, to put it on the lowest footing, and how un-esteem the privileges of the few days spent at fair and unwise is it, to prevent an author from Ambleside and Rydal as amongst the choicest in enjoying the full benefit of his labors wherever my whole life.

his works are circulated,-unjust, because he has an equal right to the fruit of his toil with the manufacturer or with any one else; unfair and unwise, because genius and learning above

all things deserve to be fostered, and like tender DEAR MR. EDITOR, When I began to write plants, ought not to be exposed to cold storms to you, I was not without hope of being able to and the injuries of every heedless passer-by. It say something respecting Wordsworth's life and may not, perhaps, be necessary, but I must take the liberty to assure the reader that I fully accorded with the poet, and have wished and continue to wish most heartily that this boon may yet be rendered to authors at home and abroad, as no more than what is simply due to an illused and ill-appreciated class in the community.

career, for it has been a noble one, full of encouragement to the child of song, still more full of bright hopes and joys to the Christian and the lover of truth and purity. It was my design, if possi ble, to give expression to some sentiments which I am happy to entertain in regard to the noble old bard, and the writings with which he has favored the world; and I purposed to some extent A few words more and I have done. The at least, to dwell upon the personal and mental mansion of the poet is a curious old fashioned house characteristics of the man, which have elevated internally as well as externally, but remarkably him above his fellows and placed his name depleasant and commodious. You enter beneath servedly among the very first of the poets of our a low portal over which the vines run in profu- age. But just at present, I have not the time, even sion, and find on your right hand a small room in if I were capable of doing justice to this interestwhich breakfast is taken. To the left the hall ing topic; it is only possible that at a subsequent leads into a larger room, which is the library and date I may take it up and give you my views of study, and a most agreeable place it is. A good- poetry and poets as exemplified in the career of ly and choice collection of books, a large num- Wordsworth and his immediate compeers and ber of engravings and paintings, among which friends. Meanwhile, I send you the above; take is an excellent portrait of the poet painted by the it for what it is worth;

late Henry Inman of New York, several fine specimens of statuary, with desks, old fashioned chairs and tables, fill the room, and give it an air of studious repose and comfort, apart from the gravity and severity of the mere student. Ad

"Et mihi forsan modo quod negarit,
Porriget hora."

A. M.