228 



consult, along with the poems themselves, two discussions, which, 

 amongst the large literature that has now accumulated on the 

 subject, are, in my judgment, by far the most thorough and 

 satisfactory : — I refer to Principal Shairp's Essay on Wordsworth, 

 originally contributed to the ^ort/i British Review, and republished 

 in liis Studies in Poetry and Philosophy; and Mr. Stopford Brooke's 

 volume, entitled TJieology in the- English Poets. The former is 

 more condensed and finished as a work of art ; the latter is more 

 detailed in its analysis, and almost exhaustive in one direction. 



Before closing, I merely add, as I have already hinted moi;e 

 than once, that there is no poet after Shakspeare more worthy of 

 prolonged, careful, and even reverential study, and especially of 

 study by women. There is none whose influence on character is 

 more ennobling, and from contact with wliose spirit you can draw 

 a serener inspiration. And though our poetical literature is now 

 becoming more complex, and many a kindred spirit has embodied 

 fresh forms of Imagination in the raiment of our English speech, 

 since Wordsworth breathed his last at Rydal Mount, he remains 

 one of those 



St9.rs pre-eminent in magnitude 



Which, from the zenith, dart their beams, 



of which he spoke ; and he has deeper things to teach us, in our 

 nineteenth century haste and high pressure, than any of his co- 

 mates, who are seated along with him on the imperial height. 



It may be as difficulty for some to get within his circle, as it 

 is for others to understand Beethoven, or Fra Angelico. Neverthe- 

 less, his is an ' open secret,' and as he said of Burns, 



In busiest street, and lonhest glen, 



Are felt the flashes of his pen. 



He rules 'mid winter snows, and where 



Bees fill their hives. 



Deep in the genial heart of men 



His power survives. 



And sure I am that long as the streams of Westmoreland sing their 

 songs of 'peace with quiet blending,' long as Helvellyn rears its 

 head above the neighbouring hills, and the sunlight and the moon- 

 light come and go amongst the mountains, the radiance of this 



I 



