208. *_Sonnet_ XV.

One who was suffering,’ &c.

Composed during a storm in Rydal Wood by the side of a torrent.

209. *_Sonnet_ XVIII.

‘Lady, the songs of Spring,’ &c.

1807.  To Lady Beaumont.  The winter garden of Coleorton, fashioned out of an old quarry under the superintendence and direction of Mrs. Wordsworth and my sister Dorothy, during the Winter and Spring of the year we resided there.

210. *_Sonnet_ XIX.

‘There is a pleasure,’ &c.

Written on a journey from Brinsop Court, Herefordshire.

211. *_Sonnet_ XXIX.

‘Though narrow,’ &c.

1807.  Coleorton.  This old man’s name was Mitchell.  He was, in all his ways and conversation, a great curiosity, both individually and as a representative of past times.  His chief employment was keeping watch at night by pacing round the house at that time building, to keep off depredators.  He has often told me gravely of having seen the ’Seven Whistlers and the Hounds’ as here described.  Among the groves of Coleorton, where I became familiar with the habits and notions of old Mitchell, there was also a labourer of whom I regret I had no personal knowledge; for, more than forty years after, when he was become an old man, I learnt that while I was composing verses, which I usually did aloud, he took much pleasure, unknown to me, in following my steps, that he might catch the words I uttered, and, what is not a little remarkable, several lines caught in this way kept their place in his memory.  My volumes have lately been given to him, by my informant, and surely he must have been gratified to meet in print his old acquaintance.

212. *_Sonnet_ XXX.  ‘Four fiery steeds,’ &c.

Suggested on the road between Preston and Lancaster, where it first gives a view of the Lake country, and composed on the same day, on the roof of the coach.

213. *_Sonnet_ XXXI.  ‘Brook! whose society,’ &c.

Also composed on the roof of a coach, on my way to France, September 1802.

214. *_Sonnets_ XXXIII.-V.  ‘Waters.’

Waters (as Mr. Westall informs us in the letter-press prefixed to his admirable views [of the Caves, &c. of Yorkshire]) are invariably found to flow through these caverns.

* * * * *

PART III

215. *_Sonnet_ IV.  ‘Fame tells of Groves,’ &c.

Wallachia is the country alluded to.

216. *_Sonnet_ VII.  ‘Where lively ground,’ &c.

This parsonage was the residence of my friend Jones, and is particularly described in another note.

217. *_Sonnet_ IX.  ‘A stream to mingle,’ &c.