Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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This as well as the preceding and the two that follow were composed in front of Rydal Mount and during my walks in the neighbourhood. Nine-tenths of my verses have been murmured out in the open air: and here let me repeat what I believe has already appeared in print. One day a stranger having walked round the garden and grounds of Rydal Mount asked one of the female servants, who happened to be at the door, permission to see her master’s study. “This,” said she, leading him forward, “is my master’s library where he keeps his books, but his study is out of doors.” After a long absence from home it has more than once happened that some one of my cottage neighbours has said–“Well, there he is; we are glad to hear him ‘booing’ about again.” Once more, in excuse for so much egotism, let me say, these notes are written for my familiar friends, and at their earnest request. Another time a gentleman whom James had conducted through the grounds asked him what kind of plants throve best there: after a little consideration he answered–“Laurels.” “That is,” said the stranger, “as it should be; don’t you know that the laurel is the emblem of poetry, and that poets used on public occasions to be crowned with it?” James stared when the question was first put, but was doubtless much pleased with the information.