[24] I cannot help thinking that a practice, common in England during
the last century, and still followed in France, of printing a notice of
this kind,--a notice by a competent critic,--to serve as an introduction
to an eminent author's works, might be revived among us with advantage.
To introduce all succeeding editions of Wordsworth, Mr. Shairp's notice
might, it seems to me, excellently serve; it is written from the point
of view of an admirer, nay, of a disciple, and that is right; but then
the disciple must be also, as in this case he is, a critic, a man of
letters, not, as too often happens, some relation or friend with no
qualification for his task except affection for his author.[Arnold.]
[25] See _Memoirs of William Wordsworth_, ed. 1851, II, 151, letter to
Bernard Barton.
PAGE 21
[26] ~Irene~. An unsuccessful play of Dr. Johnson's.
PAGE 22
[27] ~Preface~. Prefixed to the second edition (1800) of the _Lyrical
Ballads_.
PAGE 28
[28] ~The old woman~. At the first attempt to read the newly prescribed
liturgy in St.
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