_Ibid._ The character of this man was described to me, and the incident upon which the verses turn was told me by Mr.Pool, of Nether Stowey, with whom I became acquainted through our common friend S.T.C.During my residence at Alfoxden, I used to see a great deal of him, and had frequent occasions to admire the course of his daily life, especially his conduct to his labourers and poor neighbours.

Their virtues he carefully encouraged, and weighed their faults in the scales of charity.
If I seem in these verses to have treated the weaknesses of the farmer and his transgression too tenderly, it may in part be ascribed to my having received the story from one so averse to all harsh judgment.
After his death was found in his _escritoir_ a lock of gray hair, carefully preserved, with a notice that it had been cut from the head of his faithful shepherd, who had served him for a length of years.

I need scarcely add that he felt for all men as brothers.

He was much beloved by distinguished persons:--Mr.Coleridge, Mr.Southey, Sir H.Davy, and many others, and in his own neighbourhood was highly valued as a magistrate, a man of business, and in every other social relation.

The latter part of the poem, perhaps, requires some apology, as being too much of an echo to the 'Reverie of Poor Susan.' 493.