Delphi Complete Works of William Wordsworth
Page 474
Friday 3rd October. Very rainy all the morning — little Sally learning to mark. Wm walked to Ambleside after dinner. I went with him part of the way — he talked much about the object of his Essay for the 2nd volume of LB. I returned expecting the Simpsons — they did not come. I should have met Wm but my teeth ached & it was showery & late — he returned after 10. Amos Cottle’s death in the Morning Post, wrote to S Lowthian.
N.B. When Wm & I returned from accompanying Jones we met an old man almost double, he had on a coat thrown over his shoulders above his waistcoat & coat. Under this he carried a bundle & had an apron on & a night cap. His face was interesting. He had Dark eyes & a long nose — John who afterwards met him at Wythburn took him for a Jew. He was of Scotch parents but had been born in the army. He had had a wife ‘& a good woman & it pleased God to bless us with ten children’ — all these were dead but one of whom he had not heard for many years, a Sailor — his trade was to gather leeches but now leeches are scarce & he had not strength for it — he lived by begging & was making his way to Carlisle where he should buy a few godly books to sell. He said leeches were very scarce partly owing to this dry season, but many years they have been scarce — he supposed it owing to their being much sought after, that they did not breed fast, & were of slow growth. Leeches were formerly 2/6 100; they are now 30/. He had been hurt in driving a cart his leg broke his body driven over his skull fractured — he felt no pain till he recovered from his first insensibility. It was then ‘late in the evening — when the light was just going away.’
Saturday October 4th 1800. A very rainy, or rather showery & gusty morning for often the sun shines. Thomas Ashburner could not go to Keswick. Read a part of Lambs play. The language is often very beautiful, but too imitative in particular phrases, words &c. The characters except Margarets unintelligible, & except Margarets do not shew themselves in action. Coleridge came in while we were at dinner very wet. — We talked till 12 o clock — he had sate up all the night before writing Essays for the newspaper. — His youngest child had been very ill in convulsion fits. Exceedingly delighted with the 2nd part of Christabel.
Sunday Morning 5th October. Coleridge read a 2nd time Christabel — we had increasing pleasure. A delicious morning. Wm & I were employed all the morning in writing an addition to the preface. Wm went to bed very ill after working after dinner — Coleridge & I walked to Ambleside after dark with the letter. Returned to tea at 9 o’clock. Wm still in bed & very ill. Silver How in both lakes.
Monday (6th). A rainy day — Coleridge intending to go but did not get off. We walked after dinner to Rydale. After tea read The Pedlar. Determined not to print Christabel with the LB.
Tuesday (7th). Coleridge went off at 11 o clock — I went as far as Mr Simpson’s returned with Mary. She drank tea here. I was very ill in the Evening at the Simpsons — went to bed — supped there. Returned with Miss S & Mrs J — heavy showers. Found Wm at home. I was still weak & unwell — went to bed immediately.
Wednesday (8th). A threatening bad morning — We dried the Linen frequent threatenings of showers. Received a 5£ note from Montagu. Wm walked to Rydale. I copied a part of The Beggar in the morning — I was not quite well in the Evening therefore I did not walk — Wm walked a very mild moonlight night. Glowworms everywhere.
Thursday (9th). I was ironing all the day till tea-time. Very rainy — Wm & I walked in the evening — intending to go to Lloyds but it came on so very rainy that we were obliged to shelter at Flemings. A grand Ball at Rydale. After sitting some time we went homewards & were again caught by a shower & sheltered under the Sycamores at the boat house — a very cold snowlike rain. A man called in a soldiers dress — he was thirty years old — of Cockermouth, had lost a leg & thigh in battle was going to his home. He could earn more money in travelling with his ass than at home.
Friday 10th October. In the morning when I arose the mists were hanging over the opposite hills & the tops of the highest hills were covered with snow. There was a most lovely combination at the head of the vale — of the yellow autumnal hills wrapped in sunshine, & overhung with partial mists, the green & yellow trees & the distant snow-topped mountains. It was a most heavenly morning. The Cockermouth Traveller came with thread hardware mustard, &c. She is very healthy, has travelled over the mountains these thirty years. She does not mind the storms if she can keep her goods dry. Her husband will not travel with an ass, because it is the tramper’s badge — she would have one to relieve her from the weary load. She was going to Ulverston & was to return to Ambleside Fair. After I had finished baking I went out with Wm Mrs Jameson & Miss Simpson towards Rydale — the fern among the Rocks exquisitely beautiful — we turned home & walked to Mr Gells. After dinner Wm went to bed — I read Southey’s letters. Miss Simpson & Mrs Jameson came to tea. After tea we went to Lloyds — a fine Evening as we went but rained in returning — we were wet — found them not at home. I wrote to Mrs Clarkson — sent off The Beggar &c by Thomas Ashburner who went to fetch our 9th Cart of Coals. William sat up after me writing Point Rash judgment.
Saturday 11th. A fine October morning — sat in the house working all the morning. Wm composing — Sally Ashburner learning to mark. After Dinner we walked up Greenhead Gill in search of a Sheepfold. We went by Mr Ollifs & through his woods. It was a delightful day & the views looked excessively chearful & beautiful chiefly that from Mr Oliffs field where our house is to be built. The Colours of the mountains soft & rich, with orange fern — The Cattle pasturing upon the hilltops Kites sailing as in the sky above our heads — Sheep bleating & in lines & chains & patterns scattered over the mountains. They come down & feed on the little green islands in the beds of the torrents & so may be swept away. The Sheepfold is falling away it is built nearly in the form of a heart unequally divided. Look down the brook & see the drops rise upwards & sparkle in the air, at the little falls, the higher sparkles the tallest. We walked along the turf of the mountain till we came to a Cattle track — made by the cattle which come upon the hills. We drank tea at Mr Simpson’s returned at about nine — a fine mild night.
Sunday 12th October. Beautiful day. Sate in the house writing in the morning while Wm went into the Wood to compose. Wrote to John in the morning — copied poems for the LB, in the evening wrote to Mrs Rawson. Mary Jameson & Sally Ashburner dined. We pulled apples after dinner, a large basket full. We walked before tea by Bainriggs to observe the many coloured foliage the oaks dark green with yellow leaves — The birches generally still green, some near the water yellowish. The Sycamore crimson & crimson-tufted — the mountain ash a deep orange — the common ash Lemon colour but many ashes still fresh in their summer green. Those that were discoloured chiefly near the water. William composing in the Evening. Went to bed at 12 o clock.
Monday October 13th. A grey day — Mists on the hills. We did not walk in the morning. I copied poems on the naming of places a fair at Ambleside — walked in the black quarter at night.
Tuesday 14th. Wm lay down after dinner — I read Southeys Spain. The wind rose very high at Evening. Wm walked out just at bed time — I went to bed early. We walked before dinner to Rydale.
Wednesday (15th). A very fine clear morning. After Wm had composed a little, I persuaded him to go into the orchard — we walked backwards & forwards, the prospect most divinely beautiful from the seat — all colours, all melting into each other. I went in to put bread in the oven & we both walked within view of Rydale. Wm again composed at the sheep-fold after dinner — I walked with him to Wytheburn, & he went on to Keswick. I drank tea & supped at Mr Simpsons — a very cold frosty air, & a spangled sky in returning. Mr & Miss S came with me. Wytheburn looked very wintry but yet there was a foxglove blossoming by the road-side.
Thursday 16th October. A very fine morning — starched & hung out linen a very fine day — John Fisher, TA, SA & Molly working in the garden. Wrote to Miss Nicholson. I walked as far as Rydale between 3 & 4 — Ironed till six — got tea & wrote to Mr Griffith. A letter from Mr Clarkson.
Saturday (18th). A very fine October morning. William worked all the morning at the Sheep-fold but in vain. He lay down in the afternoon till 7 o clock but could not sleep — I slept. My head better — he unable to work. We did not walk all day.
Sunday Morning (19th). We rose late & walked directly after breakfast. The tops of G(ras)mere mountains cut off. Rydale was very very beautiful the surface of the water quite still like a dim mirror. The colours of the large island exquisitely beautiful & the trees still fresh & green were magnified by the mists. The prospects on the west side of the Lake were very beautiful, we sate at the two points looking up to Park’s. The lowing of the Cattle was echoed by a hollow voice in Knab Scar. We went upon Loughrigg Fell — & were disappointed with G(ras)mere, it did not look near so beautiful as Rydale. We returned home over the stepping-stones Wm got to work — we are not to dine till 4 o clock —— Dined at ½ past 5 — Mr Simpson dined & drank tea with us. We went to bed immediately after he left us.
Monday 20th. William worked in the morning at the sheepfold. After dinner we walked to Rydale crossed the stepping stones & while we were walking under the tall oak trees the Lloyds called out to us. They went with us on the western side of Rydale. The lights were very grand upon the woody Rydale Hills. Those behind dark & topp’d with clouds. The two lakes were divinely beautiful — Grasmere excessively solemn & the whole lake was calm & dappled: with soft grey dapple — The Lloyds stayed with us till 8 o clock. We then walked to the top of the hill at Rydale — very mild & warm — about 6 glowworms shining faintly. We went up as far as the grove. When we came home the fire was out. We ate our supper in the dark & went to bed immediately. William was disturbed in the night by the rain coming into his room, for it was a very rainy night. The Ash leaves lay across the Road.
Tuesday 21st. We walked in the morning past Mr Gells — a very fine clear & sharp sunny morning. We drank tea at the Lloyds — it was very cold in the evening quite frosty, & starlight. Wm had been unsuccessful in the morning at the sheep-fold. The reflection of the ash scattered, & the tree stripped.
Wednesday Morning (22nd). We walked to Mr Gells a very fine morning. Wm composed without much success at the Sheepfold. Coleridge came in to dinner. He had done nothing. We were very merry. C. & I went to look at the prospect from his seat. In the evening Stoddart came in when we were at tea, & after tea Mr & Miss Simpson with large potatoes & plumbs. Wm read after supper, Ruth &c — Coleridge Christabel.
Thursday 23rd. Coleridge & Stoddart went to Keswick — we accompanied them to Wytheburn. A wintry grey morning from the top of the Rays Grasmere looked like winter & Wytheburn still more so — We called upon Mrs Simpson & sate 10 minutes in returning. Wm was not successful in composition in the Evening.
Friday 24th. A very fine morning we walked before Wm began to work to the Top of the Rydale Hill. He was afterwards only partly successful in composition. After dinner we walked round Rydale Lake, rich, calm, streaked, very beautiful. We went to the top of Loughrigg — Grasmere sadly inferior. We were much tired Wm went to bed till ½ past seven. The ash in our garden green, one close to it bare the next nearly so.
Saturday (25th). A very rainy day. Wm again unsuccessful. We could not walk it was so very rainy. We read Rogers, Miss Seward, Cowper &c.
Sunday (26th). Heavy rain all night. A fine morning after 1 o o clock. Wm composed a good deal — in the morning. The Lloyds came to dinner & were caught in a shower. Wm read some of his poems after dinner — a terrible night I went with Mrs Lloyd to Newtons to see for Lodgings. Mr Simpson in coming from Ambleside called in for a glass of rum, just before we went to bed.
28th October, Monday (27th). Not fine a rainy morning. The Hill tops covered with snow. Charles Lloyd came for his wife’s glass. I walked home with him past Rydale. When he came I met him as I was carrying some cold meat to Wm in the Firgrove. I had before walked with him there for some time. It was a fine shelter from the wind. The Coppices now nearly of one brown. An oak tree in a sheltered place near John Fisher’s — not having lost any of its leaves was quite brown & dry. We did not walk after dinner — it was a fine wild moonlight night. Wm could not compose much fatigued himself with altering.
Tuesday 29th (28th). A very rainy night. I was baking bread in the morning & made a giblet pie. We walked out before dinner to our favorite field. The mists sailed along the mountains & rested upon them enclosing the whole vale. In the evening the Lloyds came. We drank tea with them at Borricks & played a rubber at Whist, stayed supper — Wm looked very well. A fine moonlight night when we came home.
Wednesday (29th). William working at his poem all the morning. After dinner Mr Clarkson called — We went down to Borrwicks & he & the Lloyds & Priscilla came back to drink tea with us. We met Stoddart upon the Bridge — Played at Cards. The Lloyds &c went home to supper — Mr Clarkson slept here.
Thursday (30th). A rainy morning. Mr C went over Kirkstone. Wrm talked all day & almost all night with Stoddart. Mrs & Miss LI called in the morning I walked with them to Tail End — a fine pleasant morning but a very rainy afternoon. W & S in the house all day.
Friday (31st). W & S did not rise till 1 o clock. W very sick & very ill. S & I drank tea at Lloyds & came home immediately after, a very fine moonlight night — The moonshine like herrings in the water.
Saturday (1st). William better. We met as we walked to Rydale a Boy from Lloyds, coming for Don Quixote. Talk in the evening. Tom Ashburner brought our 10th Cart of coals.
Sunday Morning (2nd). We walked into the Black Quarter a very fine morning, a succession of beautiful views mists &c &c. Much rain in the night. In the Evening drank tea at Lloyds — found them all ill in colds came home to supper.
Monday Morning (3rd). Walked to Rydale a cold day. Wm & Stoddart still talking, frequent showers in our walk. In the evening we talked merrily over the fire. The Speddings stopped at the door.
Tuesday (4th). Stoddart left us — I walked a little way with W & him, W went to the Tarn afterwards to the top of Seat Sandal — he was obliged to lie down in the tremendous wind — the snow blew from Helvellyn horizontally like smoke — the Spray of the unseen Waterfall like smoke —— Miss Lloyd called upon me — I walked with her past Rydale. Wm sadly tired, threatenings of the piles.
Wednesday (5th). Wm not well. A very fine beautiful clear winter’s day. I walked after dinner to Lloyds — drank tea & Mrs & Miss Lloyd came to Rydale with me — the moon was rising but the sky all over cloud. I made tea for William. Piles.
Thursday 6th November. A very rainy morning & night — I was baking bread dinner & parkins. Charles & P Lloyd called — Wm somewhat better read Point Rash Judgment. The lake calm & very beautiful a very rainy afternoon & night.
Friday 7th November. A cold rainy morning Wm still unwell. I working & reading Amelia. The Michaelmas daisy droops. The pansies are full of flowers. The Ashes opposite are green, all but one but they have lost many of their leaves. The copses are quite brown. The poor woman & child from Whitehaven drank tea — nothing warm that day. Friday 7th. A very rainy morning — it cleared up in the afternoon. We expected the Lloyds but they did not come. Wm still unwell. A rainy night.
Saturday 8th November. A rainy morning — a whirlwind came that tossed about the leaves & tore off the still green leaves of the Ashes. A fine afternoon. Wm & I walked out at 4 o clock — went as far as Rothay Bridge met the Butcher’s man with a l(ette)r from Monk Le
wis. The country very wintry — some oaks quite bare — others more sheltered with a few green leaves, others with brown leaves — but the whole face of the country in a winter covering. We went early to bed.
Sunday (9th). Wm slept tolerably — better this morning. It was a frosty night. We walked to Rydale after dinner, partly expecting to meet the Lloyds. Mr Simpson brought newspapers but met Molly with them — W burnt the sheep fold — a rainy night.
Monday (10th). I baked bread a fine clear frosty morning. We walked after dinner — to Rydale village. Jupiter over the Hilltops, the only star like a sun flashed out at intervals from behind a black cloud.
Tuesday Morning (11th). Walked to Rydale before dinner for letters. William had been working at the sheep-fold. They were salving sheep — a rainy morning. The Lloyds drank tea with us. Played at Cards — Priscilla not well. We walked after they left us to the Top of the Rydale Hill then towards Mr Ollifs & towards the village. A mild night partly cloudy partly starlight. The cottage lights the mountains not very distinct.
Wednesday (12th). We sate in the house all the day. Mr Simpson called & found us at dinner — a rainy evening he staid the evening & supper — I lay down after dinner with a headach.
Thursday (13th). A stormy night. We sate in the house all the morning rainy weather. Old Mr Simpson, Mrs J & Miss S. drank tea & supped played at cards, found us at dinner — a poor woman from Hawkshead begged — a widow of Grasmere — a merry African from Longtown.