The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-11-25
A VISIT TO RYDAL MOUNT.


he celebrated poet, Wordsworth-who al
though now lar advanced in the vale Of yeurt,
seems to retain full possession ofhis physical
md mental faculties:
"Or course, the great object of interest 10
me in this neighborlood was Rydu Mount
the home Of the poet Wordsworth, The
house of the laureate is plain two story cot
tngc, partially covered with ivy. 1t stands
on high ground, just out Of the village, and
is in tie midst of scenery of incompatible
beauty. When first pissed tile spot tho
splendid carriage orihe celebrated Miss C---~,
the richest heress of England, who, II runner
was right babe so fair, II year oriwo since,
10 become the Duchess Of Wellington, stood
before the door. A strange imtcrseY nuSl
hive been than Cor search througl the United
Kingdom, il iTouid he hard to find two NOR
tals in respectable life more "''iiHo III '"''9
lnstes ana associations.
hosiuiad loGG the next day whether TO IL
vail myself of my note IF Introduction 10 the
poet; but II yearnimg to sec the face Of one
whom had been learning TO love aud admire
from my very bnyhood, AT last overcame the
fear that possibly might be unwelcome. !
sent iI my letter; word was soon brought 10y
Mr. WordsWortl's servant that lis muster
would gladly see me. As he was then ut tho
table, was invited 10 walk through the gar
den and grounds until he had finished diniGG.
II. of course, was no slight qualification to he
allowed TO stroll nj pleasure over spot laid
out and planted 10y Wordsworth's own hand,
The grounds were not large, and their all-
penruuce hetokened 10 amateur effort TO Gre
ate an effect They made up picture Of
rustic YET charming beauty. For good halls
hour did roam around. now bending over
some iuvorite lowcr, Eow tracing the course
Of some vine left TO trail itself'at its own
which the birds were chipping as blilhscme-
~ ms if it were their own darling home, anal
now mounting the grassy terrace where the
poeI is wont to sit aud muse amid the gIories
oflhc setting sun. The day was as beautiful
as ever guddened the heart of man. The air
had genial warmth and Sabbath stiffness.
Is stood upon the mound and looked
before me, past The modesty yet heavenward
painting spire Of the hamlet church, upon
bright Wludermere, with all its
-fairy crowds
Ofislnuds which together he
As peacefully ns spots of sky
Amongst The summer clouds,
and on niy right, Just visible through the EN-.
lowering Trees, behcld The Rydal water with
its ltl!e 'waveless breast of azure and on
my left the lenfy dale of Rydal Head, through
'rl'''So l'','Ios glanced tiTr wurvTe vfN Gill;,
slreamlet and behind ne, in solemn majesty,
mp among the clouds: and as my eye ranged
from object to object over the minor garni.
lure of lie magnificent panorama, and my
mind gathered into one great image of beauty,
purity and perfection, could eusily fancy
that the spirit ofthe scene had infused itself
into the genius of'Wordsworth,a and had moui-
dcd his poetry into something of lis own
bright heavenly serenity. lr, indeed, was
no place for tumultuous sensations ar violent
emotions: all was soft sweet, suhduing-wooS
ing the eye and filing the soul with holy har-.
monies.
was lost in thought, when suddenly
loud cheerful voice struck my ear, and as
turned, the servant appeared with the mes
sage that Mr. Wordsworth would he glad to-
see me. l had proceeded but few steps
towards The house, when perceived in the
illle yard before it. a hale, stoutly built old
gentleman, in cloth cap, plain black suit, and
thick Shoes drawing an aged lady in large
hand wagon; and the sounds had heard
were her childlke EXPLANATIONS of delight.
1t was Wordsworth and his invalid sister. ]
Involuntary removed my hat and apologies
ed for my intrusion. But not n word of TINT
sort would either ofIhem listen to. The
old lady seized my hand and broke out into
Il raphsodv about that "dear good man, Mr.
Upon my droppiuga word Of
sympathy for her helpless state, she begun 10
repeat, il the most feeling voice hymn of
several stanZus expressive of her resignation
to her Heavenly Fathers will. and of her JOY
in view of the glories ola brighter world,
The poet, evidently touched stood silent, and
as for myself it required stouter heart than
mine to be unmoved by the scene. AT length,
the old lady let go my hand, and the poet en-
trusting her TO the care of her nurse. led the
way into the house. We were soon seated
in a comfortable little room. which appeared
10 be half parlor aud half library, before
blazing coal fire.
inquring respecting the health ofthe sis.
ter we had just left: Poor thingP says he SHE
was most dangerously i'll twelve years ago,
and has never recovered from the effects OF
it, She requires the most constant care; bur
she is n grent blessing TO us all. We all taka
the greatest interest in her, aud feel that she
is the means to us of invaluable moral and
spiritual good. If were not for the sick
and The old and little children, who are con-
stnutly appealing to the better feelings of our
nature, men would soon become monsters
I inquired respecting his own health. 1T is
as good he replied, 'for aught know, as it
ever was. 1t would be folly to account old
age youth and there may be some malady
secretly at work in my system that know
nothing of. But believe have seen many
young men not twenty five, who were actus
ally older than | am now
The conversation soon turned upon more
general topics. He spoke of Coleridge,-of
Southey,-of Schegel, whom he knew ints
mately IN France, of the distinctive character
isles of English, Swiss aud Italian scenery.
expressing by the way his conviction that the
English lake district presented more attrac-
lions for a residence than any other part Of
the word,-or the grandeur and beauty OF
some of the old cathedrals of England-of