contemplation, and than which there are few poetic treasures richer in axiomatic wisdom, and in pure and graceful sentiment.

In glancing back at these hasty pages, we are made aware-not of any positive injustice done to the venerable poet of Rydal, but-of the imperfect justice rendered to his merits. This was the unavoidable result of the comparative brevity imposed upon us: for, how inadequate are the limits of even a lengthy article to the exposition and illustration of a career so remarkably prolonged, and so entirely devoted to the muse! We have (for example) been compelled to omit all mention of what is, in some respects, the most able and original production of our author-his Ode entitled Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood. To dismiss it in a paragraph, with a fragment of quotation, would have been intolerable to ourselves, and confounding to our readers. We prefer to await some future occasion of presenting it unbroken. Considering these imperative omissions, we must admit that the genius of Wordsworth is of a character even more commanding and impressive than in these

72

POETRY OF WORDSWORTH.

pages it appears; for, if we have passed unquoted those few poetic failures which have exposed him to the ridicule of detracting wits, how much larger is the number of his unmentioned beauties, occurring in a hundred delightful pieces! It may be true that no one of his performances, separately considered, is equally striking in effect with certain single works of Byron or Shelley, or evinces poetic gifts so remarkable; but we must esteem unrivalled, and commend with more than ordinary praise, that intellectual energy and moral persistence which accumulated, systematically, slowly, and triumphantly, so grand a series of noble poems, in the praise of virtue and to the improvement of mankind.

FINIS.

PRINTED BY EDWARD HOWELL, LIVERPOOL.