43. *Since this essay was written, such selections have been made, with
excellent taste, by Matthew Arnold and Professor Knight.
46-47. *In Wordsworth's prefatory advertisement to the first edition of
The Prelude, published in 1850, it is stated that that work was
intended to be introductory to The Recluse; and that The Recluse, if
completed, would have consisted of three parts. The second part is The
Excursion. The third part was only planned; but the first book of the
first part was left in manuscript by Wordsworth--though in manuscript,
it is said, in no great condition of forwardness for the printers.
This book, now for the first time printed in extenso (a very noble
passage from it found place in that prose advertisement to The
Excursion), is included in the latest edition of Wordsworth by Mr. John
Morley. It was well worth adding to the poet's great bequest to
English literature. A true student of his work, who has formulated for
himself what he supposes to be the leading characteristics of
Wordsworth's genius, will feel, we think, lively interest in testing
them by the various fine passages in what is here presented for the
first time. Let the following serve for a sample:--
Thickets full of songsters, and the voice
Of lordly birds, an unexpected sound
Heard now and then from morn to latest eve,
Admonishing the man who walks below
Of solitude and silence in the sky:--
These have we, and a thousand nooks of earth
Have also these, but nowhere else is found,
Nowhere (or is it fancy?) can be found
The one sensation that is here; 'tis here,
Here as it found its way into my heart
In childhood, here as it abides by day,
By night, here only; or in chosen minds
That take it with them hence, where'er they go.
--'Tis, but I cannot name it, 'tis the sense
Of majesty, and beauty, and repose,
A blended holiness of earth and sky,
Something that makes this individual spot,
This small abiding-place of many men,
A termination, and a last retreat,
A centre, come from wheresoe'er you will,
A whole without dependence or defect,
Made for itself, and happy in itself,
Perfect contentment, Unity entire.