I have now done with the subject.  The time of life at which I have arrived may, I trust, if nothing else will, guard me from the imputation of having written from any selfish interests, or from fear of disturbance which a railway might cause to myself.  If gratitude for what repose and quiet in a district hitherto, for the most part, not disfigured but beautified by human hands, have done for me through the course of a long life, and hope that others might hereafter be benefited in the same manner and in the same country, be selfishness, then, indeed, but not otherwise, I plead guilty to the charge.  Nor have I opposed this undertaking on account of the inhabitants of the district merely, but, as hath been intimated, for the sake of every one, however humble his condition, who coming hither shall bring with him an eye to perceive, and a heart to feel and worthily enjoy.  And as for holiday pastimes, if a scene is to be chosen suitable to them for persons thronging from a distance, it may be found elsewhere at less cost of every kind.  But, in fact, we have too much hurrying about in these islands; much for idle pleasure, and more from over activity in the pursuit of wealth, without regard to the good or happiness of others.

    Proud were ye, Mountains, when, in times of old,
    Your patriot sons, to stem invasive war,
    Intrenched your brows; ye gloried in each scar: 
    Now, for your shame, a Power, the Thirst of Gold,
    That rules o’er Britain like a baneful star,
    Wills that your peace, your beauty, shall be sold,
    And clear way made for her triumphal car
    Through the beloved retreats your arms enfold! 
    Heard YE that Whistle?  As her long-linked Train
    Swept onwards, did the vision cross your view? 
    Yes, ye were startled;—­and, in balance true,
    Weighing the mischief with the promised gain,
    Mountains, and Vales, and Floods, I call on you
    To share the passion of a just disdain.

WILLIAM WORDSWORTH.

NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS.

AESTHETICAL AND LITERARY.

I. Of Literary Biography and Monuments.

(a) A Letter to a Friend of Robert Burns, 1816.

P. 5, l. 1.  James Gray, Esq.  Wordsworth was justified in naming Gray a ‘friend’ of Burns.  He was originally Master of the High School, Dumfries, and associated with the Poet there.  Transferred to the High School of Edinburgh, he taught for well-nigh a quarter of a century with repute.  Disappointed of the Rectorship, he retired from Edinburgh to an academy at Belfast.  Later, having entered holy orders, he proceeded to India as a chaplain in the East India Company’s service.  He was stationed at Bhooj, in Cutch, near the mouth of the Indus; and the education of the young Rao of that province having been intrusted to the British Government, Gray was selected as his instructor—­being