Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. V, October, 1850, Volume I.

In this thoughtful essay, a mid‑nineteenth‑century critic pays homage to William Wordsworth, reflecting on his recent death and the lingering echo of his poetry across the English countryside. The writer places Wordsworth beside figures such as Milton, Scott, and Goethe, emphasizing his unique blend of moral sincerity and reverence for the natural world. By recalling the public mourning and the critic’s own admiration, the piece sets a reverent tone for a deeper look at the poet’s legacy.

The heart of the article explores three ways of contemplating nature—material, idealist, and mediatorial—and argues that Wordsworth’s vision belongs to the middle path, where the physical and the spiritual coexist without collapsing into each other. Using vivid analogies and references to Scripture, the author portrays nature as a divine altar that both shelters and reveals the human soul. Listeners will gain a concise yet richly textured understanding of how Wordsworth’s poetry bridges the gap between earthly experience and transcendent insight.