’There was nought there that morn
    But thrice three antient hills alone.’

Here the word ‘alone,’ being used instead of only, makes an absurdity like that noticed in the Spectator—­’Enter a king and three fidlers solus.’[88]

54. Of the ‘Icon Basilike,’ &c. LETTER TO SOUTHEY.

MY DEAR S——­,

I am ashamed not to have done your message about the Icon to my brother.[89]

[88] Extract of Letter to Professor Hamilton, 12th Feb. 1829, here first printed.  G. [F9] This refers to Dr. Wordsworth’s volume on the authorship of Icon Basilike.  London, 1824.

I have no excuse, but that at that time both my body and my memory were run off their legs.  I am very glad you thought the answer[90] appeared to you triumphant, for it had struck me as in the main point, knowledge of the subject, and spirit in the writing, and accuracy in the logic, as one of the best controversial tracts I ever had.

I am glad you have been so busy; I wish I could say so much of myself.  I have written this last month, however, about 600 verses, with tolerable success.

Many thanks for the review:  your article is excellent.  I only wish that you had said more of the deserts of government in respect to Ireland; since I do sincerely believe that no government in Europe has shown better dispositions to its subjects than the English have done to the Irish, and that no country has improved so much during the same period.  You have adverted to this part of the subject, but not spoken so forcibly as I could have wished.  There is another point might be insisted upon more expressly than you have done—­the danger, not to say the absurdity, of Roman Catholic legislation for the property of a Protestant church, so inadequately represented in Parliament as ours is.  The Convocation is gone; clergymen are excluded from the House of Commons; and the Bishops are at the beck of Ministers.  I boldly ask what real property of the country is so inadequately represented:  it is a mere mockery.

Most affectionately yours,
W.W.[91]

[90] This alludes to Dr. Wordsworth’s second publication, entitled ’King Charles the First the Author of Icon Basilike.’  London, 1828.

[91] Memoirs, ii. 132-3.

55. Of the Roman Catholic Question.

LETTER TO G. HUNTLY GORDON, ESQ.

Rydal Mount, Thursday Night, Feb. 26. 1829.

You ask for my opinion on the Roman Catholic Question.