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practising so strict an economy, that though the proceeds of his pen, to which he now again looked entirely for support, were insufficient for his maintenance, his expenditure was so small as to occasion his mother, who cheerfully made up the deficiency, no serious inconvenience. He was indeed, so far

as his necessities admitted, honourably and delicately scrupulous in regard to money matters, incurring pecuniary obligation with reluctance, and acknowledging it with affectionate gratitude.

He kept no regular diary, but he has occasionally jotted down the occurrences of a single day. The following gives a picture of his mode of life, with something of his way of feeling and thinking at this period. It is my wish to represent him exactly as he was,-to place him as far as possible before the mind's eye, with such insight as can be obtained into the movements within.

July 25th, 1830.

"And now the day of rest draws to a close. The weather has kept the sabbath. The morning was the very perfection of stillness. No gay sunshine, no clamorous wind, no drudging rain: the sky wore one grey sober veil, and the mist hung upon the hills as if it paused on its journey: the vapours were gathered up; no light detachments foraged along the mountain sides to catch the flying sunbeams, but the thick masses formed an even line, like an army drawn up for a decisive engagement, and only halting till the truce of God was past-they divided the mountains as it were in half, concealing the higher moiety, and leaving the lower bulk

distinct in dark, damp, solemn visibility. The vale was clad in deepest green, and fancifully resembled the face of one that is calm and patient after long weeping. The few patches of hay, gathered into round cocks, appeared to solicit the prayers of the congregation. All was quiet, pensive, not sad—only the young damsels in their fresh and fragrant garments (such I mean as did not think it necessary to look like Death, because a man whom they cared nothing about was gone, let us hope, to heaven) tripping along the fields and green lanes, and picking their way in the moist high roads, glanced by like living sunbeams, and made their bright blue and pink ribbons dance like things of life. Some time before nine I arose, found the twin two dear innocent little girls, whose shining faces are a far better refutation of Calvinism than Dr. Tomline's, in their blue stuff frocks (as pretty a dress as a little rustic can wear) prepared for Ambleside rush-bearing. Found also my own breakfast ready-read part of the life of Barry-deliberated whether to go to church-saw J. W., hailed him from the window-determined to hear him-set forth with bible and prayer-bookcalled into the Sunday-school, found the two nuns surrounded with good little women and men, bright with the beauty of benevolence-how sweet even a plain woman can look when engaged unaffectedly in doing good-found myself thirstycalled at the Red Lion and took a sober potation of John Barleycorn-got into church (mirabile dictu) in time-John does duty very respectably-first lesson, David's politic getting rid of Saul's family-second, a truly heavenly chapter, 13th of John, admirably calculated to remove the unsafe impressions of the first. N.B. Much doubt the good effects of the public reading of certain portions of the Old Testament which can only profit souls deeply imbued with Christian love. Singing rather out of tune. Resolved to write a poetical address to the Supreme Being.-Clergymen should not wear Wellingtons and trowsers of a Sunday-black woollen hose and capacious shoes with broad buckles much more in keeping. Sermon, James ii. verse 22, "Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made

VOL. I.

perfect." A sensible discourse; Paul and James harmonised; still the grand truth that real faith cannot but display itself in works of love, truth, and purity, though implied, was not so clearly enunciated as it might have been; nor was any allusion made to the distinction between good works and righteous actions; faith rather spoken of as a concurrent duty than as the constituent power of good works. St. Paul's, logical Epistle. Right. But Paul's logic is neither Aristotle's, nor Aldrich's, nor Lully's, nor Ramus's, but his own. C. D. as sweet looking as ever; what a blessing in her smile! E. C. a lovely creature, and all her roses returned. Clouds dispersed with the congregation-mists rolled away in sunshine, and the green mountain tops, bedecked with white array, like young brides shone forth happily. Drank glass of wine with F. Corrected my political views of the Beer Tax. Dinner, eggs and bacon; nothing better. Nap, dreamed that one eye was bunged up-found that my arm was on it. Tea. Last years of Lord Byron-Count de Gamba raised him in my esteem. The spirit of music came upon me; the horned moon, looking tranquillity; promise of better times. Now will I read a chapter and smoke a pipe, and so to bed, for it is Monday morning. To-morrow, ay, to-morrow, for it is to-day till one goes to bed, spite of clocks-will finish if possible the article on the Fine Arts. Amen.

"I did not know when writing the above that the Count de Gamba was the brother of Byron's paramour, or I should have received his testimony with more caution."

From the year 1826 to the year 1831, he wrote occasionally in "Blackwood's Magazine,” to which he was introduced by the kindness of his friend, Professor Wilson. His contributions to this periodical form part of the general collection of his Essays. He used to speak of them slightly, as written for a temporary purpose. They will be

found, however, full of spirit and drollery, with a certain characteristic humour, and with no attempt at condensation, yet acute, thoughtful and suggestive. The essay on the character of Hamlet, in particular, excited much attention, and may certainly be compared, without prejudice, to the celebrated critique in Goethe's Wilhelm Meister, perhaps to any piece of criticism extant on this subject, or in this kind.* In Blackwood also first appeared the beautiful poem of "Leonard and Susan."

He had now acquired considerable literary reputation, sufficient to induce a young printer and publisher, Mr. F. E. Bingley, to take him with him to Leeds, with whom he entered into engagements, secured by a bond, to furnish matter for a biographical work on the Worthies of Yorkshire and Lancashire, with a number of poems, sufficient for two small volumes. During his residence in Leeds, he was domesticated in Mr. Bingley's family, where he was treated with much kindness and regard, and for some time the undertaking proceeded prosperously. The publication of "The Worthies" proceeded as far as the third number,

* These essays may be studied as specimens of diction. The easy mastery of the language, which rises without an effort to the very height of the subject, and falls as naturally to a lower level, will be apparent to every reader,-the style throughout being rich, varied, and chromatic, with little quaintness, and with no affectation.

forming a large octavo volume, of 632 pages, during the year 1832; and in the following year, 1833, a volume of poems was published; when the connexion between my brother and Mr. Bingley was interrupted by the bankruptcy of the latter. My brother returned to Grasmere, and, after considerable delay and negotiation, was released from his engagement, through the intervention of an invaluable friend, Mr. James Brancker, to whom my brother had already been indebted for much. judicious kindness during his residence at Croft Lodge, near Ambleside, and who continued to the end of his life to regard him with affectionate interest. Mr. Bingley's letter on this occasion will spare the necessity of further comment :

"MY DEAR SIR,

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Having been informed by your friend Mr. Brancker that you feel no inclination to resume the editorship of 'The Worthies,' and that your mind is not at ease respecting your promise to furnish me at some time with MS. for a second volume of poems and a pamphlet, I beg to state that you need no longer consider yourself under any engagements to furnish me with MS. either for the aforesaid volume of poems, or for any other work. But although I shall never call upon you to redeem any engagement that you have entered into with me, I shall consider myself both honoured and obliged by the offer of any of your MS., either now ready or in embryo, for publication.

"I remain, my dear Sir, "With sentiments of respect and esteem,

Yours very truly,

"F. E. BINGLEY."

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