Norwich bulletin., 1922-04-24
FAMOUS MEN.
WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

William Wordsworth, English poet, was appointed poet-laureate on the decease Of Robert Southey in 1S43, when he was seventy-three years of age. He fully de served the honor, although it came to him so late in life that he could only enjoy it for seven years and his high offic4a. composition as laureate was an ode on the installation of the Prince Consort as chan cellor of Cambridge University in 1S47.
 When Wordsworth was seventy years of age he composed series of fifteen son nets, one addressed to Americans. They were originally printed in 'srhe Quarterly Review in 1S41, in an essay on "The Sonnets of William Wordsworth" by Sir Henry Taylor. The following year, at the age of sepenty-one, twenty-seYen po- ems from his pen were printed, among them '@The Norman Boy and "The Poets Dream.P Of these, three sonnets on the French Revolution, were full of his old strength
 During the next three years he continu- ed with remarkable alertness to coD2ose occasional poems, called forth in mos cases by public events. One of the last poems he wrote was an address 10 the queen, written on the fly leaf of copy Of his poems, which he presented to her. This really brought to a close the poetic career of William Wordsworth, that had covered period of sixty-years.
 On Wordsworth's seventy-fourth birth day upwards of 300 children. and nearly half as many adults, assembled in tho grounds of his country seat, Rydal Mount, to do him honor. There were many tables set in the open air and music, dancing and feasting
 Aubrey de Vtre writing to Henry Fay Tor from Anbleside in March. 1S45, when L. age, said that in the intercourse with the poet he was reminded of the verpetual youth that belongs to true excellence.
 He speaks with as fresh an enthusi- asm on all the subjects which present themselves to his moral or poetic sympa- thies as he would have felt when he first came to these mountains. The Old Man of the Mountains Is as strong as ever in body and in soul. have seen a great deal of hin and listened to more wisdom than could be extracted from all the conversa- ton going on in London for week to- gether.
 we have toiled up the mountainsides and he has murmured like a young pine grove for hours together, and not been the least tired. It is one of the wonders of the world to hear him talk over his own poetry and give you its secret history. tHerily believe that not an object he ever saw or sound he ever heard has been lost upon him.
 The greatest affliction of wordsworth's life fell upon him on July 10. 1S47. when hc was seventy-seyen years Of age. in the loss of his much beloved daughter, Dora. From this blow he never recovered; it broke his heart. He sank into a melancholy dis | tressing to those about him. from which he ap-eared 10 make no effort to extricate himself.
 | In his eirhtleth year appeared the six volume edition of Wordsworth's poems which embodied his final revision. which embodied his final revision. which had cost him much labor. Up to March 12. 1850. Wordsworth had continued in good l health. but on that date he took a heavy cold. and it was recognized that his end could not long be delayed On Sunday April [, his efphtieth birthday. prayers were offered for him in Rydal church and on Saturday April 20. the last colnnrunion was administered to him. While tho clock was striking the hour of noon on Tues lay Ajril 23, 1850, he passed calmly away.