Before I dismiss this subject let me thank you for the extract from your intelligent friend’s letter; and allow me to tell you that I could not but smile at your Boston critic placing my name by the side of Cowley.  I suppose he cannot mean anything more than that the same measure of reputation or fame (if that be not too presumptuous a word) is due to us both.

German transcendentalism, which you say this critic is infected by, would be a woeful visitation for the world.

The way in which you speak of me in connection with your possible visit to England was most gratifying; and I here repeat that I should be truly glad to see you in the delightful spot where I have long dwelt; and I have the more pleasure in saying this to you, because, in spite of my old infirmity, my strength exceeds that of most men of my years, and my general health continues to be, as it always has been, remarkably good.  A page of blank paper stares me in the face; and I am not sure that it is worth while to fill it with a sonnet which broke from me not long ago in reading an account of misdoings in many parts of your Republic.  Mrs. Wordsworth will, however, transcribe it.

    ’Men of the Western World! in Fate’s dark book,
    Whence these opprobrious leaves, of dire portent?’

To turn to another subject.  You will be sorry to learn that several of my most valued friends are likely to suffer from the monetary derangements in America.  My family, however, is no way directly entangled, unless the Mississippi bonds prove invalid.  There is an opinion pretty current among discerning persons in England, that Republics are not to be trusted in money concerns,—­I suppose because the sense of honour is more obtuse, the responsibility being divided among so many.  For my own part, I have as little or less faith in absolute despotisms, except that they are more easily convinced that it is politic to keep up their credit by holding to their engagements.  What power is maintained by this practice was shown by Great Britain in her struggle with Buonaparte.  This lesson has not been lost on the leading monarchical states of Europe.  But too much of this.

Believe me to remain,
Faithfully yours,
Wm. Wordsworth.[162]

107. the Sheldonian Theatre.

LETTER TO JOHN PEACE, ESQ., CITY LIBRARY, BRISTOL.

Rydal Mount, Aug. 30. 1839.

MY DEAR SIR,

It was not a little provoking that I had not the pleasure of shaking you by the hand at Oxford when you did me the honour of coming so far to ‘join in the shout.’  I was told by a Fellow of University College that he had never witnessed such an outburst of enthusiasm in that place, except upon the occasions of the visits of the Duke of Wellington—­one unexpected.  My Nephew, Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, was present, as well as my son, William, who, I am happy to say, is much better in health than when you saw him in Oxford.  He is here, and desires to be kindly remembered to you. [163]