(See p. 2)
The grave of James Patrick,--the pedlar whose character and habits
gave rise to "The Wanderer" of _The Excursion_,--may still be seen in
the church-yard within the town of Kendal. The following extract from
the _Papers, Letters, and Journals of William Pearson_, edited by his
widow, and printed in London, in 1863, for private circulation, refers
to Patrick. "He" (_i.e._ William Pearson) "sometimes went to Kendal on
Sundays, in order to worship with Unitarians, in the old Presbyterian
_meeting-house_. This quiet secluded building, though situated in the
heart of the town, is overshadowed by trees, beneath which rest many
worthies of departed times: one of whom, James Patrick, was the prototype
of 'The Wanderer' of _The Excursion_. A plain mural slab, outside
the east wall of the chapel--which was his spiritual home--bears the
following inscription:--
NEAR THIS PLACE ARE BURIED
JOHN PATRICK OF BARNARD CASTLE,
WHO DIED MAY 10TH, 1753, AGED 51 YEARS;
MARGARET, THE DAUGHTER
OF JAMES AND MARY PATRICK,
WHO DIED NOVEMBER 26TH, 1767, IN HER INFANCY;
JAMES PATRICK OF KENDAL,
WHO DIED MARCH 2D, 1787, AGED 71 YEARS.
"When staying in Kendal, with his friend Mr. Thomas Cookson, Mr.
Wordsworth himself was an occasional worshipper, along with the family,
at this chapel; and thus became acquainted with the minister, the
Reverend John Harrison, and with one of his congregation, the well-known
blind mathematician and botanist, Mr. John Gough, with the delineation
of whose remarkable powers and character the poet has enriched his
_Excursion_; and in turn, has, by the touch of his genius, imparted
to them a lustre that will not fade, whilst English Literature shall
endure." (p. 13).