1. Inistar omnium.—I wish to explain the accidental omission of Mr. T. Hutchinson’s name amongst those who helped me in Volumes I. and II. (see the prefatory note to this volume), and also that of Mr. Hill. It was due to my returning, “for press,” an uncorrected copy of my Preface.
2. Vol. ii. p. 106, Ruth, l. 54—The following extract from Bartram’s Travels, etc., illustrates Wordsworth’s debt to him:—
Proceeding on our return to town in the cool of the evening … we enjoyed a most enchanting view; … companies of young innocent Cherokee virgins, some busy gathering the rich fragrant fruit, others having already filled their baskets, lay reclined under the shade of floriferous and fragrant native bowers … disclosing their beauties to the fluttering breeze … whilst other parties, more gay and libertine, were yet collecting strawberries, or wantonly chasing their companions, tantalising them, staining their lips and cheeks with the ripe fruit.
3. In vol. ii. p. 348, the date of publication should be Sept. 17, 1802, not 1803.
4. In The Prelude (vol. iii. p. 202, book v. l. 26) the quotation which I could not trace is from Shakespeare, Sonnet No. 64—
This thought is as a death, which cannot choose
But weep to have that which it fears to lose.
5. Vol. v. p. 113 (The Excursion, book iii. l. 187).—Mr. William E. Walcott—Laurence, Mass. U.S.A.—sends me the following variant readings, which he has found in a copy of the edition of 1814—
… crystal tube
Be lodged therein …