Page:Margaret Fuller Ossoli (Higginson).djvu/242

224 the least beautiful spot hereabout. Remarks of our landlady about W. how pleasing, constantly ending with ‘And Mrs. Wordsworth, too.’ ‘And really, ma’am, I think it is because he is so kind a neighbor.’

“Windermere. The professed magnetizer with his beaux yeux and extreme sensibility, unable to confer benefit without receiving injury, gave me yet another view of this grand subject.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Bracebridge, specimens, we understand, of the first English hairystocracy, spoken of as something extra — of their class, — and, indeed, they were very liberal. Mr. B. much engaged in prison and other reforms. Owns a place in Athens, and lives there often.

“Sunday evening with B.’s and G.’s. Gossip about the upper classes, but in a good spirit. It amused me to hear the mechanical, measured way in which they talked of character. With all the abuses of America, we have one advantage which outweighs them all. Most persons reject the privilege, but it is, really, possible for one to grow.

“Monday. Spent the morning in finishing letter for the steamer. Afternoon on the lake of Grasmere. Wet feet. Extraordinary kindness of the ladies of the Clan Campbell. Easedale, Loughrigg, a most enchanting place, dear to Wordsworth.

“Thursday. Romantic story of our landlady’s husband, quite in my line. Walk along the hills, little ravine, arched bridge, and brook rushing beneath it. Delightful walk over the fields past Fox How. Speak