PREFACE.[Pg vii]

This little book owes its origin to the fact that, with the exception ofProfessor Shairp's Sketch contained in the preface to the "Tour inScotland," no biography or memoir of the subject of it has hitherto beenwritten. Seeing what an important part Miss Wordsworth occupied ininfluencing the revival of English poetry at the close of the lastcentury, this has frequently been to me a matter of surprise. To thebest of my knowledge, she does not even occupy any place in the numeroussketches of famous women which have from time to time appeared. At thesame time the references to her in the biographies of her brother and inthe reviews of his works are many.

My main object in the present work has been, so far as permissible, togather together into the form of a Memoir of her life various allusionsto Miss Wordsworth, together with such further particulars as might beprocurable, and with some reflections to which such a life gives rise.My task has, therefore, been one of a compiler rather than an author.

I acknowledge my great indebtedness to all sources from whenceinformation has been obtained. In addition to the authorities aftermentioned, I desire especially to mention the kindness of Dr. Sadler forhis permission to reprint the letters of Miss Wordsworth to[Pg viii] the lateMr. Henry Crabb Robinson, published in his "Diary and Reminiscences";and of Mr. F. W. H. Myers for the like permission to make use of someletters which for the first time appeared in his "Wordsworth."

However far I have failed in my original design, and however imperfectlyI may have performed my self-appointed task of love, it cannot bedoubted that no name can more fittingly have a place in female biographythan that of Dorothy Wordsworth.

Bradford, 1886.

CONTENTS.[Pg ix]