A KING AMONG ANGLERS. 137 



formed the theme of the " Angler's Tent," one 

 of Wilson's minor poems, a line of which caused 

 considerable discussion among the party. The 



last of these lines was the awkward one. and it 



% 



was left as shaped by Wordsworth : 



The placid lake that rested far below, 

 Softly embosoming another sky. 



A touching incident connected with these 

 mountain rambles was to form the subject of a 

 -poem by Wilson ; but it was never fulfilled. 

 Wordsworth had a younger brother, who went to 

 sea. Upon one occasion, after a visit home, the 

 poet set out with this brother across the hills, on 

 his way to rejoin his ship. Before parting, the two 

 sat down by Red Tarn, beneath Helvellyn, and 

 talked over future plans of happiness when next 

 they should meet. They also agreed to then and 

 there lay the foundation-stone of a little nshing- 

 hut ; and this was done. The brother was sub- 

 sequently drowned at sea, and Wordsworth 

 afterwards related the incident as stated. 



At this time, boating was one of Wilson's great 

 diversions, and he kept quite a fleet of sailing 

 smacks on Windermere. Although the lake is ex- 

 ceedingly treacherous, he and his henchman often 

 started for it at midnight, and had many escapades. 

 Another slight adventure in connection with the 

 lake is worth recounting. Riding one day by 



