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

Friday, 12th September.-- ... The fern of the mountains now spreads yellow veins among the trees; the coppice wood turns brown. William observed some affecting little things in Borrowdale. A decayed house with the tall, silent rocks seen through the broken windows. A sort of rough column put upon the gable end of a house, with a ball stone, smooth from the river-island, upon it for ornament. Near it, a stone like it, upon an old mansion, carefully hewn. Saturday, 13th September.--Morning. William writing his Preface[29]--did not walk. Jones, and Mr. Palmer came to tea.... [Footnote 29: The Preface to the second edition of Lyrical Ballads.--ED.] Sunday morning, 14th.-- ... A lovely day. Read Boswell in the house in the morning, and after dinner under the bright yellow leaves of the orchard. The pear trees a bright yellow. The apple trees still green. A sweet lovely afternoon.... Here I have long neglected my Journal. John came home in the evening, after Jones left. Jones returned again on the Friday, the 19th September. Jones stayed with us till Friday, 26th September. Coleridge came in. Tuesday, 23rd.--I went home with Jones. Charles Lloyd called on Tuesday, 23rd. Sunday, 28th.--We heard of the Abergavenny's arrival.... Monday, 29th.--John left us. Wm. and I parted with him in sight of Ullswater. It was a fine day, showery, but with sunshine and fine clouds. Poor fellow, my heart was right sad. I could not help thinking we should see him again, because he was only going to Penrith.