Wordsworth was slightly above the middle height. His ap pearance was not commanding, although his features were highly expressive of benignity and intelligence. His eyes were weak, and he made, during many years, little use of them in reading or writing. His mouth was not expressive of the delicacy of feeling which characterized him. It was large, and did not even indicate the natural firmness of his character. His cheeks were loose, and his chin small. But his forehead rose high and smooth over a face to which it imparted dignity. His nose, also, was a prominent feature, and indicated the exercise of the powers which the dome above declared. It seemed thus as if the animal propensities indicated by the lower features of the face had been neutralized and defeated by the superior force of the intellectual powers. Although, at home, precluded from the exercise of brilliant conversation and contest of any sort, he could yet, when occasion offered, during his frequent tours, hold his own in any company, and was equally unabashed in the presence of royalty in the unusual dress of a courtier, and in front of reviewers in the garb of poetical homespun that moved their laughter. The poet could laugh too, and used to show his hearty appreciation of fun by outbursts of "genuine grunting laughter.” Good deeds of all sorts were his delight, and pleasant sights his pleasure. He has not left "a line which, dying, he himself would wish to blot." (269) IL. TO A BUTTERFLY. STAY near me do not take thy flight! Much converse do I find in thee, Historian of my infancy! Float near me; do not yet depart! Dead times revive in thee: Thou bring'st, gay creature as thou art! A solemn image to my heart, My father's family. Oh! pleasant, pleasant were the days, 3 A very hunter did I rush Upon the prey-with leaps and springs IIL FORESIGHT; OR, THE CHARGE OF A CHILD TO HIS YOUNGER COMPANION. THAT is work of waste and ruin- Pull the primrose, Sister Anne ! -Here are daisies, take your fill! Make your bed, and make your bower; Primroses, the spring may love them— Withered on the ground must lie; God has given a kindlier power And for that promise spare the flower! IV. CHARACTERISTICS OF A CHILD THREE LOVING she is, and tractable, though wild; |