164. *_To_ ——. [XXXV.]

Rydal Mount, 1816.  The lady was Miss Blackett, then residing with Mr. Montague Burgoyne, at Fox-Ghyll.  We were tempted to remain too long upon the mountain, and I imprudently, with the hope of shortening the way, led her among the crags and down a steep slope, which entangled us in difficulties, that were met by her with much spirit and courage.

165. *_To a Young Lady_. [XXXVI.]

Composed at the same time, and on the same vein, as ’I met Louisa in the
Shade.’  Indeed they were designed to make one piece. [See No. 52.]

166. *_Water-fowl_. [XXXVII.]

Observed frequently over the lakes of Rydal and Grasmere.

167. *_View from the Top of Black Comb_. [XXXVIII.]

1813.  Mary and I, as mentioned in the Epistle to Sir G. Beaumont, lived some time under its shadow.

168. *_The Haunted Tree_. [XXXIX.]

1819.  This tree grew in the park of Rydal, and I have often listened to its creaking as described.

169. *_The Triad_. [XL.]

’Rydal Mount, 1828.  The girls Edith Mary Southey, my daughter Dora, and Sarah Coleridge.’  More fully on this and others contemporaneously written, is the following letter: 

To G.H.  GORDON, ESQ. 
Rydal Mount, Dec. 15, 1828.

How strange that any one should be puzzled with the name ‘Triad’ after reading the poem!  I have turned to Dr. Johnson, and there find ’Triad, three united,’ and not a word more, as nothing more was needed.  I should have been rather mortified if you had not liked the piece, as I think it contains some of the happiest verses I ever wrote.  It had been promised several years to two of the party before a fancy fit for the performance struck me; it was then thrown off rapidly, and afterwards revised with care.  During the last week I wrote some stanzas on the Power of Sound, which ought to find a place in my larger work if aught should ever come of that.

In the book on the Lakes, which I have not at hand, is a passage rather too vaguely expressed, where I content myself with saying, that after a certain point of elevation the effect of mountains depends much more upon their form than upon their absolute height.  This point, which ought to have been defined, is the one to which fleecy clouds (not thin watery vapours) are accustomed to descend.  I am glad you are so much interested with this little tract; it could not have been written without long experience.

I remain, most faithfully,
Your much obliged,
WILLIAM WORDSWORTH.

170. The Wishing-gate. [XLI.]

In the Vale of Grasmere, by the side of the old highway leading to Ambleside, is a gate which, time out of mind, has been called the ‘Wishing-gate,’ from a belief that wishes formed or indulged there have a favourable issue.

171. The Wishing-gate destroyed.

Having been told, upon what I thought good authority, that this gate had been destroyed, and the opening, where it hung, walled up, I gave vent immediately to my feelings in these stanzas.  But going to the place some time after, I found, with much delight, my old favourite unmolested. [Rydal Mount, 1828.]