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

The essay opens with a solemn homage to the poet whose voice once lit the English Lake District, mourning his recent passing and the quiet reverberations it sent through literary circles. It paints Wordsworth as a bridge between the grand traditions of Milton and the more intimate cadence of Cowper, highlighting how his departure feels both a personal loss and a moment of wider cultural transition.

Beyond the tribute, the piece turns to the heart of Wordsworth’s art: his view of nature. By distinguishing three ways of contemplating the natural world—materialist, idealist, and a mediating stance—the author shows how the poet fashioned a middle path that honors both spirit and matter, presenting the universe itself as a sacred altar. Listeners will be drawn into a thoughtful exploration of how this balance shaped his poetry and continues to resonate today.