1791-2.  Much the greatest part of this poem was composed during my walks upon the banks of the Loire, in the years 1791, 1792.  I will only notice that the description of the valley filled with mist, beginning ’In solemn shapes,’ &c. was taken from that beautiful region, of which the principal features are Lungarn and Sarnen.  Nothing that I ever saw in Nature left a more delightful impression on my mind than that which I have attempted, alas how feebly! to convey to others in these lines.  Those two lakes have always interested me, especially from bearing, in their size and other features, a resemblance to those of the North of England.  It is much to be deplored that a district so beautiful should be so unhealthy as it is.

FOOT-NOTES.

11. The Cross.  ‘The Cross, by angels planted on the aerial rock’ (I. 70).  Alluding to the crosses seen on the spiry rocks of Chartreuse.

12. Rivers.  ‘Along the mystic streams of Life and Death’ (I. 71).  Names of rivers at the Chartreuse.

13. Vallombre.  ’Vallombre, ‘mid her falling fanes’ (I. 74).  Name of one of the valleys of the Chartreuse.

14. Sugh.  ‘Beneath the cliffs, and pine-wood’s steady sugh’ (I. 358).  Sugh, a Scotch word expressive of the sound of the wind through the trees.

15. Pikes.  ‘And Pikes of darkness named and fear and storms’ (I. 471).  As Schreck-Horn, the pike of terror, Wetter-horn, the pike of storms, &c. &c.

16. Shrine.  ‘Ensiedlen’s wretched fane’ (I. 545).  This shrine is resorted to, from a hope of relief, by multitudes, from every corner of the Catholic world, labouring under mental or bodily afflictions.

17. Sourd.  ‘Sole sound, the Sourd prolongs his mournful cry!’ (I. 618.) An insect so called, which emits a short melancholy cry, heard at the close of the Summer evenings, on the banks of the Loire.

18. *_Lines left upon a Seat in a Yew-tree, which stands near the Lake of Esthwaite, on a desolate Part of the Shore, commanding a beautiful Prospect_.[VII.]

Composed in part at school at Hawkshead.  The tree has disappeared, and the slip of Common on which it stood, that ran parallel to the lake, and lay open to it, has long been enclosed, so that the road has lost much of its attraction.  This spot was my favourite walk in the evenings during the latter part of my school-time.  The individual whose habits and character are here given was a gentleman of the neighbourhood, a man of talent and learning, who had been educated at one of our universities, and returned to pass his time in seclusion on his own estate.  He died a bachelor in middle age.  Induced by the beauty of the prospect, he built a small summer-house on the rocks above the peninsula on which the ferry-house stands. [In pencil here—­Query, Mr. Nott?]