Page:Pleasant Memories of Pleasant Lands.djvu/89

64 terminated with the near view of a chapel built by his neighbor, the Lady Elizabeth Le Fleming, on whose domain are both the upper and lower falls of Rydal-Water. In this beautiful combination of woods, cliffs, and waters, and solemn temple pointing to the skies, we see the germ of many of his thrilling descriptions; for his habit is to compose in the open air. He loves the glorious scenery of his native region, and is evidently pleased when others admire it.

His household consists of a wife, sister, two sons, and a daughter. The eldest of the sons is married, and, with a group of five children, resides under the same roof, giving to the family a pleasant, patriarchal aspect. A fine boy, of five years, who bears the name of his grandfather, and bids fair to possess somewhat of his breadth of brow, is evidently quite a favorite. Among his bright sayings was the question, whether "the Ocean was not the Christian-name of the Sea?" It was delighful to see so eminent a poet, thus pursuing the calm tenor of a happy life, surrounded by all those domestic affections and charities, which his pure lays have done so much to cherish in the hearts of others.

Wordsworth seems habitually pensive, almost to impassiveness. Yet once I noticed in him some approach to naiveté. We were all seated at the table, conversing, after the tea-equipage had been removed. It was a round table, with a closely fitting cover of India-rubber, on which a wreath of rich flowers had been painted.