This  is  a  truth  and  an  awful  one,  because  to
be  incapable  of  a  feeling  of  poetry,  in  my
sense  of  the  word,  is  to  be  without  love  of
human  nature  and  reverence  for  God."  There
are  not  many  instances  on  record  of  such  a
calm  and  confident  setting  aside  of  the  world's
standards,  such  an  unshrinking  conviction,
displayed    not    in   word    only   but    in    practice,


I90  THE   MYSTICISM   OF   WORDSWORTH

that  a  man's  life  consisteth  not  in  the  super-
abundance of  the  things  that  he  possesseth,
and  that  it  is  "a  very  small  thing"  to  be
judged  by  man's  judgment.
In  order  to  live  the  life  that  he  had  chosen
under  the  most  favourable  conditions,  Words-
worth chose  a  home  in  that  lovely  district
which  has  ever  since  been  associated  with  his
name.  Of  that  district  it  has  been  truly  said
that  "there  is  no  corner  without  a  meaning
and  a  charm.  All  agencies  have  conspired
for  loveliness,  and  ruin  itself  has  been  benign."
It  is,  moreover,  a  district  which  has  proved
itself  favourable  to  human  character.  The
Cumbrian  peasants  are  not  isolated  from  each
other  by  almost  impassable  barriers,  like  the
inhabitants  of  some  Swiss  valleys.  "They
have  given  an  example  of  substantial  comfort
strenuously  won  ;  of  home  affections  intensified
by  independent  strength  ;  of  isolation  without
ignorance,  and  of  a  shrewd,  simplicity ;  of  an
hereditary  virtue  which  needs  no  support  from
fanaticism,  and  to  which  honour  is  more  than
law.
^  Myers,  Words^vorth.
