Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/80

Ixxvi INTRODUCTION ���script years ago at Rydal Mount." This book is probably still in existence somewhere, and the publication of it would be a most interesting addition to our stock of Words- worthiana. �That Wordsworth's interest in Lady Winchilsea's poems was genuine and permanent is evinced in his correspondence with the Rev. Alexander Dyce, whose Specimens of British Poetesses appeared in 1825. The volume made its way slowly and in time attracted the favorable attention of Wordsworth. He wrote from Rydal Mount, October 16, 1829, to Mr. Dyce as follows: �By accident, I learned lately that you had made a Book of Extracts, which I had long wished for opportunity and industry to execute myself. I am happy it has fallen into so much better hands. I allude to your Selections from the Poetry of English Ladies. I had only a glance at your work ; but I will take this opportunity of saying, that should a second edition be called for, I should be pleased with the honor of being consulted by you about it. There is one poetess to whose writings I am especially partial, the Countess of Winchelsea. I have perused her poems frequently, and should be happy to name such passages as I think most characteristic of her genius, and most fit to be selected. �Wordsworth's glance at the book must have been of the most casual sort, for he not only misquoted the title, but he is ignorant of the fact that Mr. Dyce's Selections included The Spleen, Life's Progress, The Atheist and the Acorn, and A Nocturnal Reverie by Lady Winchilsea, and that he quoted in her praise Wordsworth's own words in the Essay of 1815. But the next letter to Mr. Dyce shows that a copy of the Specimens had been sent Wordsworth, and that he had given it diligent attention. The letter is undated but bears the postmark 1830. After some preliminary discus- sion he writes: �I now come to Lady Winchelsea. First, however, let me say a few words on one or two other authoresses of your " Specimens." British poetesses make but a poor figure in the " Poems by Emi- ��� �