all reason to do, a subjugation of an opposite character, and have rejoiced over the remembrances, as is expressed in the lines, ‘Obstinate questionings,’ &c.  To that dreamlike vividness and splendour which invest objects of sight in childhood, every one, I believe, if he would look back, could bear testimony, and I need not dwell upon it here; but having in the Poem regarded it as presumptive evidence of a prior state of existence, I think it right to protest against a conclusion which has given pain to some good and pious persons, that I meant to inculcate such a belief.  It is far too shadowy a notion to be recommended to faith as more than an element in our instincts of immortality.  But let us bear in mind that, though the idea is not advanced in Revelation, there is nothing there to contradict it, and the fall of man presents an analogy in its favour.  Accordingly, a pre-existent state has entered into the popular creeds of many nations, and among all persons acquainted with classic literature is known as an ingredient in Platonic philosophy.  Archimedes said that he could move the world if he had a point whereon to rest his machine.  Who has not felt the same aspirations as regards the world of his own mind?  Having to wield some of its elements when I was impelled to write this poem on the ‘Immortality of the Soul,’ I took hold of the notion of pre-existence as having sufficient foundation in humanity for authorising me to make for my purpose the best use of it I could as a Poet.

* * * * *

XXV.  ‘THE EXCURSION.’

513. *_On the leading Characters and Scenes of the Poem_.

Something must now be said of this Poem, but chiefly, as has been done through the whole of these Notes, with reference to my personal friends, and especially to her [Miss Fenwick] who has perseveringly taken them down from my dictation.  Towards the close of the 1st book, stand the lines that were first written, beginning ‘Nine tedious years,’ and ending ‘last human tenant of these ruined walls.’  These were composed in 1795, at Racedown; and for several passages describing the employment and demeanour of Margaret during her affliction, I was indebted to observations made in Dorsetshire, and afterwards at Alfoxden, in Somersetshire, where I resided in 1797 and 1798.  The lines towards the conclusion of the 4th book, ‘Despondency corrected,’ beginning ’For the man who in this spirit,’ to the words ‘intellectual soul,’ were in order of time composed the next, either at Racedown or Alfoxden, I do not remember which.  The rest of the poem was written in the vale of Grasmere, chiefly during our residence at Allan Bank.  The long poem on my own education was, together with many minor poems, composed while we lived at the cottage at Town-End.  Perhaps my purpose of giving an additional interest to these my poems, in the eyes of my nearest and dearest friends, may he promoted by saying a few words upon the character of the ‘Wanderer,’ the ‘Solitary,’ and the ‘Pastor,’ and some other of the persons introduced.  And first of the principal one, the ‘Wanderer.’