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 fishing- 
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 
