When, with dear friends, I revisited this spot, after an interval of more than forty years, this interesting feature of the scene was gone.

To the owner of the place I could not but regret that the beauty of this retired part of the grounds had not tempted him to make it more accessible, by a path, not broad or obtrusive, but sufficient for persons who love such scenes to creep along without difficulty.
424.

*_A Character_.
The principal features are taken from that of my friend Robert Jones.
425.

*_To my Sister_.

[V.] Composed in front of Alfoxden House.
My little boy-messenger on this occasion was the son of Basil Montagu.
The larch mentioned in the first stanza was standing when I revisited the place in May, 1841, more than forty years after.