spontaneously have risen from some brief and

incidental touches.*

But let us hear further.

While from the

grassy mountain's open side

We gazed, in silence hushed, with eyes intent

On the refulgent spectacle, diffused

Through earth, sky, water, and all visible space,
The Priest in holy transport thus exclaimed:

"Eternal Spirit! universal God!

Power inaccessible to human thought,

Save by degrees and steps which Thou hast deigned

*No circumstance would sooner lead the author of this little essay to distrust his own conclusions, especially in the application of critical canons to works of high art, as the discovery that they were at seeming variance with the judgments of Mr. Ruskin. The treatise on Modern Painters is a treasury of artistic knowledge, full of sage rules applicable in spirit to every branch of art, and singularly valuable for the clear insight of a pure heart and mind into the book of nature, and the moral wisdom with which the most neglected works of God are therein interpreted and treated. The author has therefore made the explanation of the text,-first satisfying himself, and then endeavouring to show the reader, that the variance observable was only in seeming. He is gratified and assured by a belief that his theory of the moral influence of art is sanctioned by the authority of Mr. Ruskin, who, while contending for the divine significance of every natural object, as affording ever some faint traces of infinite goodness and perfection, is doubtless ready to admit a measure of the same influence and power as breathing from the canvas, if faithfully reflecting, by natural detail passing through a human medium, the mind and purpose of Him who is both the author and archetype of his creation.

To furnish; for this effluence of Thyself,
To the infirmity of mortal sense
Vouchsafed,— this local transitory type
Of thy paternal splendours, and the pomp
Of those who fill thy courts in highest heaven,
The radiant cherubim,—accept the thanks
Which we Thy humble creatures, here convened,
Presume to offer; we, who-from the breast
Of the frail earth, permitted to behold
The faint reflections only of Thy face—
Are yet exalted, and in soul adore!

Such as they are who in Thy presence stand
Unsullied, incorruptible, and drink
Imperishable majesty streamed forth

From Thy empyreal throne, the elect of earth
Shall be, divested at the appointed hour
Of all dishonour, cleansed from mortal stain.
-Accomplish then their number; and conclude
Time's weary course! Or if, by Thy decree,
The consummation that will come by stealth
Be yet far distant, let Thy word prevail,
O let Thy word prevail, to take away
The sting of human nature. Spread the law
As it is written in Thy holy book
Throughout all lands; let every nation hear
The high behest, and every heart obey;
Both for the love of purity, and hope
Which it affords to such as do Thy will
And persevere in good, that they shall rise
To have a nearer view of Thee, in heaven."

The Priest's address continues in a similar

strain; but our space will not admit of an extended quotation. The passage just transcribed is unexceptionable, and even fine to an uncommon degree, both in sentiment and expression. But, if we remark its connection and position in the poem before us, is it not also unsatisfactory and vague? The language is such as might be adopted by the most orthodox and evangelical Christian; yet considering the circumstances to which its utterance is due, and remembering the semi-heathen sentiments in which our author has too frequently indulged, we are reluctantly compelled to believe that the poet does not mean all that the language of his friend the Priest implies; and that he uses the theology of revelation rather as the highest and most popular morality of modern times, than as a spiritual and most holy religion, divinely vouchsafed for the exclusive guidance of mankind. It may be said, that there is a dramatic consistency and propriety in putting such language into the mouth of an English Vicar, upon whose imagination the vivid sunset may be supposed to act in a manner corresponding to his serious and devout employments. But this is only

partially true; for dramatic consistency would demand a more individual portraiture, in the preceding parts of the poem, than is furnished in the account of the Pastor; and, even then, we should have to complain of the comparative isolation of both speaker and speech, in a lengthened work which is made up of many such, and upon the results of which (if any) they have no definite or special bearing. Indeed, the great fault of this poem lies in the isolation of its meritorious passages, and their little contribution to its effect as a whole; and we are persuaded that many who have perused it throughout, with a greater or less degree of pleasure, have closed the volume with a feeling of dissatisfaction amounting almost to disappointment. Yet these readers of The Excursion might not be able easily to specify its particular faults, — faults, indeed, of defect, rather than of commission; such as any intelligent reader of poetry may feel, though none may be able entirely to explain.

III.

THUS far we have had occasion for what may seem a disparagement of the acknowledged genius of Wordsworth; and the warmest admirers of that gentleman's poetry, among whom (we are aware) may be found many of the brightest ornaments of literature and criticism, will probably suppose us to be animated by a determination to contradict the growing opinion in his favour. This is, however, very far from being the case. With the unqualified admiration of the parties alluded to, we have, indeed, no sympathy; and that for the reasons -whether sound or otherwise-which we have deliberately set down. Our first duty is to conserve the highest interests of poetic art; and, in so doing, we have found reason for an unfavourable judgment upon our author's chief work. Wordsworth is not a poet of the highest class; and, though it would have been invidious to

bring him to the severe test of comparison with