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

Tuesday, 2nd February.-- ... Wm. went into the orchard after breakfast, to chop wood. We walked into Easedale.... Walked backwards and forwards between Goody Bridge and Butterlip How. William wished to break off composition, but was unable, and so did himself harm. The sun shone, but it was cold. William worked at The Pedlar. After tea I read aloud the eleventh book of Paradise Lost. We were much impressed, and also melted into tears. The papers came in soon after I had laid aside the book--a good thing for my Wm.... Wednesday, 3rd.--A rainy morning. We walked to Rydale for letters. Found one from Mrs. Cookson and Mary H. It snowed upon the hills. We sate down on the wall at the foot of White Moss. Sate by the fire in the evening. Wm. tired, and did not compose. He went to bed soon, and could not sleep. I wrote to Mary H. Sent off the letter by Fletcher. Wrote also to Coleridge. Read Wm. to sleep after dinner, and read to him in bed till 1/2 past one. Thursday, 4th.-- ... Wm. thought a little about The Pedlar. Read Smollet's life. Friday, 5th.--A cold snowy morning. Snow and hail showers. We did not walk. Wm. cut wood a little. Sate up late at The Pedlar. Saturday, 6th February.-- ... Two very affecting letters from Coleridge; resolved to try another climate. I was stopped in my writing, and made ill by the letters.... Wrote again after tea, and translated two or three of Lessing's Fables.