There was little or no method, and no mechanical or artificial drill in his early education.

Though he was taught both languages and mathematics he was left as free to range the "happy pastures" of literature, as to range the Hawkshead woods on autumn nights in pursuit of woodcocks.

It is likely that the reference in the above passage is to his education both in childhood and in youth, although specially to the former.

In his 'Autobiographical Memoranda', Wordsworth says, "Of my earliest days at School I have little to say, but that they were very happy ones, chiefly because I was left at liberty, then and in the vacations, to read whatever books I liked.

For example, I read all Fielding's works, 'Don Quixote', 'Gil Blas', and any part of Swift that I liked; 'Gulliver's Travels' and the 'Tale of a Tub' being both much to my taste." As Wordsworth alludes to Coleridge's education, along with his own, "in the season of unperilous choice," the reference is probably to Coleridge's early time at the vicarage of Ottery St.Mary's, Devonshire, and at the Grammar School there, as well as at Christ's Hospital in London, where (with Charles Lamb as school-companion) he was as enthusiastic in his exploits in the New River, as he was an eager student of books .-- Ed.] [Footnote G: Mrs.Wordsworth died at Penrith, in the year 1778, the poet's eighth year .-- Ed.] [Footnote H: Compare, in 'Expostulation and Reply' (vol.i.p.