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is a highly coloured statement, as is the whole of the fierce assault 
contained in the Essay from which these words are extracted. 
But it is useful for all of us, old or young, to bear in mind, 
that even in those whom we most admire, there may be failings ; 
and it is one of the duties of all public instructors to insist on 
the duty of discrimination in human characters, and to remember 
the infirmities and the errors which belong to the mixed conditions 
of human existence. 
But, thirdly, the topic appeared to me extremely suitable to 
this place. Some of you have had the pleasure of knowing him ; 
almost all of you must have heard of him. He is the genius of 
Keswick, almost as exclusively as Wordsworth is of Grasmere and 
Rydal—or as Shakspeare is of Stratford-on-Avon. His grave, his 
monument, his house,—(as I can speak from experience, owing 
to the kindness of its present occupants)—still speak of him. 
Such memories, attaching to any locality, are amongst the best 
treasures which we can possess, if we only rightly use them; and 
it therefore seemed to me a good work to revive these recollections, 
and to ask you to consider with me what were the permanent 
elements of good which Southey’s life and teaching may convey. 
A few words, and a few words only, on his general life. 
Personally, I never saw him. The first time that I visited the 
Lakes was when I was staying in Grasmere with Dr. Arnold, and 
rode or walked over from thence to Keswick. It was a great 
disappointment to me, although highly characteristic of the man, 
that Dr. Amold was too shy to give me a letter of introduction to 
the poet, whom of all others in England I should most have 
wished tosee. I walked, if I remember, round the outside of Greta 
Hall; but that was the nearest approach that I ever made to 
him in bodily presence. But it is not difficult for me, or for 
any one, to recall what he was. From the abundant stores 
that his letters provide, he remains a shining example of a man 
_ whose pleasure was found in the simplest, kindliest, social inter- 
course, and in the most indefatigable intellectual activity. Such a 
workman is an exception to us all—a workman who feels his 
pleasure in his work, and his enjoyment in ministering to the 
