Journals of Dorothy Wordsworth, Vol. 1 (of 2)

13th.--Poole dined with us. William and I strolled into the wood. Coleridge called us into the house. 15th.--I have neglected to set down the occurrences of this week, so I do not recollect how we disposed of ourselves to-day. 16th.--William, and Coleridge, and I walked in the Park a short time. I wrote to ----. William very ill, better in the evening; and we called round by Potsdam. 17th.--I do not remember this day. 18th.--The Coleridges left us. A cold, windy morning. Walked with them half way. On our return, sheltered under the hollies, during a hail-shower. The withered leaves danced with the hailstones. William wrote a description of the storm.[9] [Footnote 9: See "A whirl-blast from behind the hill" in the "Poetical Works," vol. i. p. 238.--ED.] 19th.--Wm. and Basil and I walked to the hill-tops, a very cold bleak day. We were met on our return by a severe hailstorm. William wrote some lines describing a stunted thorn.[10] [Footnote 10: See The Thorn, "Poetical Works," vol. i. p. 239.--ED.] 20th.--Coleridge dined with us. We went more than half way home with him in the evening. A very cold evening, but clear. The spring seemingly very little advanced. No green trees, only the hedges are budding, and looking very lovely. 21st.--We drank tea at Coleridge's. A quiet shower of snow was in the air during more than half our walk. At our return the sky partially shaded with clouds. The horned moon was set. Startled two night birds from the great elm tree.