90. Inscriptions.

In Cumberland and Westmoreland are several Inscriptions upon the native rock, which, from the wasting of time, and the rudeness of the workmanship, have been mistaken for Runic.  They are without doubt Roman.  The Rotha mentioned in the poem is the River which, flowing through the lakes of Grasmere and Ryedale, falls into Wynandermere.  On Helmcrag, that impressive single mountain at the head of the Vale of Grasmere, is a rock which from most points of view bears a striking resemblance to an old woman cowering.  Close by this rock is one of those fissures or caverns which in the language of the country are called dungeons.  Most of the mountains here mentioned immediately surround the Vale of Grasmere; of the others, some are at a considerable distance, but they belong to the same cluster.

91. *_There is an Eminence, &c._ [III.]

1800.  It is not accurate that the eminence here alluded to could be seen from our orchard seat.  It arises above the road by the side of Grasmere Lake, towards Keswick, and its name is Stone Arthur.

92. ’_A narrow Girdle of rough Stones and Crags’_ [IV.]

    ‘——­Point Kash Judgment’ (last line).

1800.  The character of the eastern shore of Grasmere Lake is quite changed since these verses were written, by the public road being carried along its side.  The friends spoken of were Coleridge and my sister, and the fact occurred strictly as recorded.

93. *_To Mary Hutchinson_. [V.]

Two years before our marriage.  The pool alluded to is in Rydal Upper
Park.

94. *_When to the Attractions, &c._ [VI.]

1805.  The grove still exists; but the plantation has been walled in, and is not so accessible as when my brother John wore the path in the manner here described.  The grove was a favourite haunt with us all while we lived at Town-End.

95. Captain Wordsworth.

    ’When we, and others whom we love, shall meet
    A second time, in Grasmere’s happy Vale’ (last lines).

This wish was not granted; the lamented Person not long after perished by shipwreck, in discharge of his duty as Commander of the Honourable East India Company’s Vessel, the Earl of Abergavenny.

V. POEMS OF THE FANCY.

96. *_A Morning Exercise_. [I.]

Rydal Mount, 1825.  I could wish the last five stanzas of this to be read with the poem addressed to the Skylark. [No. 158.]

97. *_Birds_.

’A feathered task-master cries, “Work away!” And, in thy iteration, “Whip Poor Will!” Is heard the spirit of a toil-worn slave’ (II. 15-17).

See Waterton’s Wanderings in South America.

98. *_A Flower-garden_. [II.]

Planned by my friend Lady Beaumont in connexion with the garden at
Coleorton.

99. *_A Whirl-blast from behind the Hill_. [III.]