The ‘Epistle,’ to which these notes refer, though written so far back as 1811, was carefully revised so late as 1842, previous to its publication.  I am loath to add, that it was never seen by the person to whom it is addressed.  So sensible am I of the deficiencies in all that I write, and so far does every thing that I attempt fall short of what I wish it to be, that even private publication, if such a term may be allowed, requires more resolution than I can command.  I have written to give vent to my own mind, and not without hope that, some time or other, kindred minds might benefit by my labours; but I am inclined to believe I should never have ventured to send forth any verses of mine to the world, if it had not been done on the pressure of personal occasions.  Had I been a rich man, my productions, like this ‘Epistle,’ the ’Tragedy of the Borderers,’ &c., would most likely have been confined to MS.

461. Ibid.

Loughrigg Tarn, alluded to in the foregoing Epistle, resembles, though much smaller in compass, the Lake Nemi, or Speculum Dianae as it is often called, not only in its clear waters and circular form, and the beauty immediately surrounding it, but also as being overlooked by the eminence of Langdale Pikes as Lake Nemi is by that of Monte Calvo.  Since this Epistle was written Loughrigg Tarn has lost much of its beauty by the felling of many natural clumps of wood, relics of the old forest, particularly upon the farm called ‘The Oaks,’ from the abundance of that tree which grew there.

It is to be regretted, upon public grounds, that Sir George Beaumont did not carry into effect his intention of constructing here a Summer Retreat in the style I have described; as his taste would have set an example how buildings, with all the accommodations modern society requires, might be introduced even into the most secluded parts of this country without injuring their native character.  The design was not abandoned from failure of inclination on his part, but in consequence of local untowardness which need not be particularised.

462. *_Gold and Silver Fishes in a Vase_.[II.]

They were a present from Miss Jewsbury, of whom mention is made in the Note at the end of the next poem.  The fish were healthy to all appearance in their confinement for a long time, but at last, for some cause we could not make out, languished; and one of them being all but dead, they were taken to the pool under the old pollard oak.  The apparently dying one lay on its side unable to move.  I used to watch it, and about the tenth day it began to right itself, and in a few days more was able to swim about with its companions.  For many months they continued to prosper in their new place of abode; but one night by an unusually great flood they were swept out of the pool and perished, to our great regret.

463. *_Liberty_ (Sequel to the above). [III.]

The connection of this with the preceding poem is sufficiently obvious.