begins and ends with pure and lofty imagination, every motive and impetus that actuates the persons introduced is from the same source; a kindred spirit pervades, and is intended to harmonise the whole.  Throughout, objects (the banner, for instance) derive their influence, not from properties inherent in them, not from what they are actually in themselves, but from such as are bestowed upon them by the minds of those who are conversant with or affected by those objects.  Thus the poetry, if there be any in the work, proceeds, as it ought to do, from the soul of man, communicating its creative energies to the images of the external world.  But, too much of this.

’Most faithfully yours,
’W.  WORDSWORTH.’][3]

[3] Memoirs, ii. pp. 57-58.

326. William Hazlitt’s Quotation.

‘Action is transitory.’ [Dedication-postscript, II. 1-6.]

This and the five lines that follow were either read or recited by me, more than thirty years since, to the late Mr. Hazlitt, who quoted some expressions in them (imperfectly remembered) in a work of his published several years ago.

327. Bolton Alley.

     ‘From Bolton’s old monastic Tower’ (c. i. l. 1).

It is to be regretted that at the present day Bolton Abbey wants this ornament; but the Poem, according to the imagination of the Poet, is composed in Queen Elizabeth’s time.  ‘Formerly,’ says Dr. Whitaker, ’over the Transept was a tower.  This is proved not only from the mention of bells at the Dissolution, when they could have had no other place, but from the pointed roof of the choir, which must have terminated westward, in some building of superior height to the ridge.’

328. ‘When Lady Aaeliza mourned’ (c. i. l. 226).

The detail of this tradition may be found in Dr. Whitaker’s book, and in a Poem of this Collection, ‘The Force of Prayer:’ 

     ‘Bare breast I take and an empty hand’ (c. ii. l. 179 and onward).

See the Old Ballad—­’The Rising of the North.’

328[a]. Brancepeth.

     Nor joy for you,’ &c. (c. iii. l. 1).

Brancepeth Castle stands near the river Were, a few miles from the city of Durham.  It formerly belonged to the Nevilles, Earls of Westmoreland.  See Dr. Percy’s account.

329. The Battle of the Standard.

    ’Of mitred Thurston—­what a Host
    He conquered’ (c. iii. ll. 121-2).

See the Historians for the account of this memorable battle, usually denominated the Battle of the Standard.

330. Bells of Rylstone (c. vii. l. 212).

    ’When the Bells of Rylstone played
    Their Sabbath music—­“God us ayde!"’

On one of the bells of Rylstone church, which seems coeval with the building of the tower, is this cypher, ‘I.N.,’ for John Norton, and the motto, ‘God us Ayde.’

331. ‘The grassy rock-encircled Pound’ (c. vii. l. 253).