THE ETTEICK SHEPHERD. 221 



abound with lively pictures, and not unfrequently occurs 

 a very happy and original expression, such as ' the small 

 pure breathing places through the deep blue sky,' in 

 your animated picture of the Loch Corruiskin. 



" When there is so much to admire, I feel little scruple 

 in expressing an opinion that here and there your descrip- 

 tions might advantageously have been pruned down a 

 little, a fault which has arisen entirely from your not 

 being practised in writing for the press. Had I been a 

 man of fifty years, or even sixty (and not of seventy-three, 

 as I shall be if I live to the 7th of next April), I should 

 have wished heartily to be your fellow-voyager. Thanking 

 you again for the pleasure you have afforded me, I remain, 

 my dear Mr Wilson, sincerely your much obliged, 



" Wm. Wordsworth." 



The letter inclosed a then unpublished poem on Grace 

 Darling. 



TO ADAM WHITE, ESQ. 



Woodville, 8th December 1842. 



" My dear Sir, — I was glad to receive your letter this 

 morning, with its miscellaneous intelligence. Poor Hoo-o-! 

 the last day I spent with him was at 'Tibbie's,' on St 

 Mary's Loch. His hand was very unsteady till he had 



