New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-13
\ WORDSWORTH'S "RECLUSE.r
A WORK OF HIGH QUALITY.

THE RECLUsE. by william Word worth fcmo,
PIP. So. Macmillan Co.
The first book OF the first part OF Wordsworth's
Recluse" is now printed at length for the first
time The poet worked six years on The Pre-
ludc," which was intended TO be merely the
introduction Of that much greater philosophical
poem - The Refuse" which he had planned as
the distinctive work OF his life, and OF which
the second part only has heretofore been pub
lished under the title Of :" The Excursion
Criticism, in passing Judgment upon the faults
and beauties OF The Excursion may be said
10 have defined the status OF The Recluse7
also, or so much OF IL as has seen the light The
hook here printed is characterized by most OF
Wordsworth's famliac exceences and defects 10
Is marked By the clear and deep perception, not
30 much OF the beauty Of Nature as beauty as
Of the influence OF such beauty upon human life
and character. There is in all WordswOrth's
poems Of nature a GOODNESS which difiercntis ties
them from similar work by other POI
cts. Tennyson, for example, has written
much OF Nature but there is warmth.
"a glow in all his descriptive and pictorial verse
which is entirely absent from the Lake poet.
The reason is that Wordsworth never idealized
Nature. lie was the most practically philosophc
OF observers. No depth OF appreciation ever
blinded him to the insensate character of natural
phenomena. He never peopled the sylvan glades
with nymphs and satyrs No dryad moved for
him among the rustling trees no form peeped from
the bushes.
Natures influences he could realize. but ALWAYS
In perfectly sober, rational way. There is no
glamor over his scenery, and therefore there is
certain chillness even in his finest descripti
and q certain narrowness and incompleteness in
bis highest flight OF thought The strength Of
his moral chaacter-that dalesman's character
refined not wholly by culture-compcls him TO
oppose the saddening influences which insensibly
emanate from the contem plation OF Nature. Those
tears from the depths Of some divine despair
which spring 10 the eyes in looking on the
happy autumn fields, and thinking on the days
that are no more,D were never suffered 10 flow
by him. Sternly he repessed them, and even
drew from the tendency TO grief under the in
fiuence OF Nature some sound, but not tender.
thought as to the vicissltudes OF human life. In
The Reclnse' We recognize the familiar landmarks.
The poem neither adds TO nor detractss from the
reputation Of the poet. IL is Of piece with The
Excursion" 1t contains many fine lines and de-
scrptive passages 1t conveys the impression Of
not very substantial thought beat out somewhat
too thin. 1t is characterized by dignity which
"pphOtCitS DOlupoott1t ohi "a ooNh'i'ieS "hNh uoe'
not always rise above dulness. These the notes
Of al Worlswofth's longer poams and In particular
the philosophical ones. Undoubtedly he was o
born philosopher, and also born lyrist; but he
had not the genius 10 sustain poctlcal expression
OF phiosophic conceptions; and he alss lacked the
delicacy of perception which would have shown
him where he failed 10 maintain his higher level.
In the first book Of The Recluse" he describes
the scenery about Grasmcre, congratulates himself
that he and his sister have come to live thcre. and
outlines the purpose which Is to control his muse
thenceforth lie commentaries the wholesome in-
1uence Of his sister in these beautiful lines:
Mine eyes did ne'cr
Fix on a lovely object, nor my mind
fake pleasure In the midst OF happy thoughts,
But either She whom now have, who now
Divides with me this loved abode, was thcre,
Or rot far of. Wherc'er my footsteps turned.
Her voice like hidden bird that sang
The thought Of her was like q Hash Of light
Or an unseen companionship, breath
OF fragrance independent OF the wind.
in all my goings, IN the now and old
OF all my medltations, and in this
Fayorite OF all, In this the most OF al
The following description Of the gyrations of
birds In the air is very characteristic OF Words
worth's observant mood:
Happier Of happy though be, like them
] caanOt take possession Of the sky,
Mount with n thoughtless impulse, and wheel them
One OF mighty multitude, wioso way
Magnificent Behold how with a grace
OF cfaenlesg motion TINT mi Chit scareflv 1850,