Rydal Mount, Dec. 1. 1829.

MY DEAR SIR,

You must not go to Ireland without applying to me, as the guide-books for the most part are sorry things, and mislead by their exaggerations.  If I were a younger man, and could prevail upon an able artist to accompany me, there are few things I should like better than giving a month or six weeks to explore the county of Kerry only.  A judicious topographical work on that district would be really useful, both for the lovers of Nature and the observers of manners.  As to the Giant’s Causeway and the coast of Antrim, you cannot go wrong; there the interests obtrude themselves on every one’s notice.

The subject of the Poor Laws was never out of my sight whilst I was in Ireland; it seems to me next to impossible to introduce a general system of such laws, principally for two reasons:  the vast numbers that would have equal claims for relief, and the non-existence of a class capable of looking with effect to their administration.  Much is done at present in many places (Derry, for example) by voluntary contributions; but the narrow-minded escape from the burthen, which falls unreasonably upon the charitable; so that assessments in the best-disposed places are to be wished for, could they be effected without producing a greater evil.

The great difficulty that is complained of in the well-managed places is the floating poor, who cannot be excluded, I am told, by any existing law from quartering themselves where they like.  Open begging is not practised in many places, but there is no law by which the poor can be prevented from returning to a place which they may have quitted voluntarily, or from which they have been expelled (as I was told).  Were it not for this obstacle compulsory local regulations might, I think, be applied in many districts with good effect.

It would be unfair to myself to quit this momentous subject without adding that I am a zealous friend to the great principle of the Poor Laws, as tending, if judiciously applied, much more to elevate than to depress the character of the labouring classes.  I have never seen this truth developed as it ought to be in parliament.

The day I dined with Lord F.L.  Gower at his official residence in the Phoenix Park, I met there with an intelligent gentleman, Mr. Page, who was travelling in Ireland expressly to collect information upon this subject, which, no doubt, he means to publish.  If you should hear of this pamphlet when it comes out procure it, for I am persuaded it will prove well worth reading.  Farewell.

Faithfully yours,
WILLIAM WORDSWORTH.[94]

58. Of the Earl of Lonsdale:  Virgil:  Book-buying:  Gifts of Books:  Commentaries.

TWO LETTERS TO THE VENERABLE ARCHDEACON WRANGHAM.

Rydal Mount, Feb. 19. 1819.

DEAR WRANGHAM,

I received your kind letter last night, for which you will accept my thanks.  I write upon the spur of that mark of your regard, or my aversion to letter-writing might get the better of me.