1815

26 February: … In the forenoon I wrote a letter to Miss Hayes on the subjt of her Situation at Clifton of wch she had complained She having been disappointed in Mrs Pennington – & on the state of France, or rather my impressn on my late visit.

7 May:   I rose early & walked to Shooter’s hill in the intention of breadfastg with Becher who I understood was there, but he had left the Bull sevl days. I therefore breakfasted at the Red Lion & lunged abot the hill enjoyg the prospect in all directions till One O Clock when I went to Mr Hay’s – I read some of Wordsworth’s poems parlarly the extracts from his first published works wch are in so different a style from his subsequent works as not to be recognized as his – And I cod not relish them tho’ they appear to be full of those elaborately fine Descrips wch have given reputation to other & inferior poets                         

     I also read Rousseau’s confessions. The accot of his latter adventures, his flight from Montmorency &c which is interesting I found Miss Hays in better health & spirits than I expected. And she gave a more agreeable accot of her Sitn at Clifton than I expected to hear from her.                                  

     Miss Hays was disappointed at first & now havg recovd from the disappointment finds as much comfort there as she cod well expect any where – I had a long chat with her. At dinner were a Mrs Pedder & her Son. They brot me in their carriage to town. On coming home I found a card from Wordsworth & running to Lamb I found him & Mrs W. there. After sittg half an hour with them I walked with them to their lodgings near Cavendish Square.              

      Mrs W. appears to be a mild & amiable woman, not so lively or animated as Miss W. but like her devoted to the Poet.          

      We chatted of course abot the new edition &c of wch hereafter.