Papers, Letters and Journals of William Pearson. Edited [with a memoir] by his widow

Front matter

Sculptor av niches Lag1- Landau PAPERS LETTERS AND JOURNALS OF WILLIAM PEARSON. EDITED BY HIS WIDO"W LONDON : Printrt for Circulation, tin EMIL\ FAITHFULL, Printer and Publisher in Ordinary to He, M '.<, VICTORIA PRESS, PRINCES STREET, HANOVER SQUARE. 1863. CONTENTS. PAGE Memoir i Lines in Memory of William Pearson - 175 Sketch of some of the existing and recent Superstitions of Westmorland. 1 841 I Continuation of the Subject. 1841 24 Notes on Natural History, chiefly relating to a few of the Wild Animals and Birds in the neighbourhood of Crosthwaite and Lyth. 1839 - - - 45 On Certain Changes that have taken place of late years in a part of the Lake District. 1844 71 Notices on a few subjects in the Natural History of Crosthwaite and Lyth ; with an Allegory. 1849 91 A few Notes in Natural History, with Sketches of the Character and Habits of Domesticated Animals. 1854 123 The Partridge, 1846, and a Letter to Mr. Gough, containing some Notices of Wild Rabbits, Cats, &_. 144 The Squirrel. 1846 I56 The Wood Grouse. 1850 - - 161 The Hag Worm. 1852 164 A few recent Notices in Natural History. 1855 167 Jottings from Note-Books *75 Bewick's British Birds - - lSo Walton and Cotton's Complete Angler l85 An Account of a Pedestrian Tour through a part of Derbyshire. 181 7 - - 195 Some Account of a Journey into Scotland. 1822 234 Kean's Hamlet ' Sketches from short Journals, between the years 1821 and 1854 - - - 274 Wordsworth's Protestantism. 1854 -------- 29.-> Letter to John Davy, Esq., M.D. 1S56 - 3°° Conclusion of a Paper on Glaciers. 1845 - - - 3° 321 Sonnets, &c. J Appendix - -

Preface

. In this attempt to give a more permanent and accessible form than that of manuscript, to some of the papers and letters of my dearly beloved Husband, I have found encouragement in the thought, that this volume would prove a source of interest and enjoyment to his Brothers and Sister ; and that to the younger branches of the family, it would be not only a Book to be loved, but also, a means of culture ; — by the sweet pictures of Nature it would place before them, — the tenderness of feeling it would disclose — and the stimulus it would give to thought, by the new ideas it might impart. I could not however, have gratified my cherished wish of reproduc ing these Letters and Papers in print, had I not felt a strong assurance, that my dear Husband's sanction would not have been withheld ; and in this conviction, I recognised my warrant to carry out the project as soon as circumstances should allow.

A most welcome and un looked-for incitement to proceed with the work was also accorded to me, and it likewise came with the weight of an additional authority. This was the opinion expressed by two valued Friends, that the Papers and Letters ought to be published, and their estimate of them, I may here allow myself the gratification of recording. Mr. Thomas Gough of Kendal, my Husband's dear and esteemed friend, in whose love of the animal creation he largely participated, and who as a genuine field-naturalist, and a devoted scientific observer, is well qualified to judge of the worth of the letters on subjects of Natural History, — urged on me the desirability of publishing them. He pronounced them to be " well worthy of publication for their beautiful, simple style," and added, that " they rank with those of Gilbert White, which cannot be said of any others since his day."

The Rev. Robert Perceval Graves, of Dove-nest near Ambleside, another friend greatly endeared to my Husband, through many years of delightful intercourse, by similarity of literary tastes,— and more, much more, by congenial sentiments and aspirations— expressed to me soon afterwards, the same wish. He thought it would be matter of regret and loss, were compositions so marked by a rare simplicity and beauty of style, to be allowed to fade away at once into oblivion ; and he also suggested that a brief Memoir should accompany them. The conclusion arrived at, was to print a volume for private b J

PREFACE.

. circulation — thus it will go forth, endowed with a domestic character, to attract to itself domestic love ; and let this gather around it ! To a few of the more intimate circle of my Husband's friends, I fondly believe this Volume will be welcome. They who still tread this lovely Earth, with the same admiring, loving, trusting, adoring spirit, will perchance recognise in it, a living bond of union with him, who peacefully sleeps in its bosom. In the capacity of Editor, I have confined myself chiefly to making a selection ; and I have, besides, omitted passages, and in some parts, changed the arrangement a little, in order to bring together portions that treat on the same subject; this, with a few verbal corrections, where incidental errors called for them, leaves the " Papers, Letters and Journals," substantially as I found them. A. P. Border-Side, May yh, 1863. "Let us in His sight accomplish our petty, particular doings." Arthur Hugh Clough. Tlte ]>.r.., Crosthwaite.

Chapter I

The Yews, the patrimonial estate of the Pearson family, is situate in the central part of the township of Crosthwaite and Lyth, Westmor land; here, in the old house, which stood in the present fold, William Pearson, the subject of this Memoir, was bom on the 9th of October, 1780. His father, John Pearson, who was an only child, had eight children; the eldest, a daughter, died before the birth of William, who was the second child, and named after his paternal grandfather. The family takes its position in the rank of Yeomen, or, to use the local term, Statesmen — a class that is gradually lessening, which fact, as tending to the extinction of a valuable and beautiful link in the sc rial chain, is much to be deplored. Modern usages, which insinuate themselves into the most secluded valleys, are not without their hurtful influences; and of the simple manners and primitive mode of life of the forefathers, few examples are now to be found.

The little holdings which had for generations descended from father to son, and which had thus served to nurture a self-respecting, manly, and independent spirit, pass by degrees into the hands of the larger landed proprietor. The primitive Statesman had a good deal of shrewd intelligence, derived from the necessary transactions of market and fair, and a sufficient amount of cultivation, to fit him for taking a share in parochial business; and in this part of the county, scholarship— either for itself, or for its results — seems to have been an object of ambition, and the boy who was " a good learner," was educated with a view to entering the Church, which appears to have been regarded as a sort of natural provision for scholars. Thus, when the habits of the individual were sober and steady, the position of the small Statesman was far from being a mean one ; and William was wont to remark, that the transmission of the few prized acres from father to son, indicated some sterling qualities — and the writer here willingly testifies to a prevailing sense of honour, as a trait of the labouring part of the population all round, on this edge of the county ; and in corroboration of this estimate, the casual remark of a clergyman of standing and repute, who, for nearly twenty years, was in habits of pastoral and friendly intercourse with the inhabitants of a wide-spread country cure, hard by, suggests itself — " The poor people in this part are all gentry."

This digression, at the very outset, is introduced as setting forth what had no unimportant bearing on the formation of William Pearson's character. His Father was a peace-loving man, of quiet and retiring habits — not prone to censoriousness, but regarded as one who spoke no evil of his neighbour. His natural abilities were above the average, and his thirst for knowledge impelled him to devote all leisure moments to reading — moments emphatically, for small leisure has the farmer. At meal times, his habit was to take up the ever-ready book ; neither household noises, nor domestic movements distracted him — but as the warm weather advanced, the chair by the hearth-fire in the house was deserted, and he withdrew to his bed-room. He had a natural apti tude and an irrepressible inclination for the study of medicine, and read such books on the subject as he had access to.

This predilection, guided by his practical bias, and aided perhaps by a prudential feeling, directed his mind to the veterinary branch of the science, and he acquired a theoretic knowledge, as well as practical skill, which sufficed for the treatment of his own stock, and was at the command of his neighbours. His reading was not however confined to his favourite subject; he was a member of a Book Club established at Kendal, and without the stimulating influence of educated associates, and only by means of self denying frugality obtaining the benefit of books, this worthy student acquired a power of clear thought and expression, of which examples will be supplied from letters, treasured up by his son William, to whom they were addressed. He had a long-established habit of going out to gaze on the heavens, before he retired for the night ; the infirmities of age at length deprived him of this elevated enjoyment, which was, with him, an expression of devotion, as well as a means of sustaining it.

Three years before his death, a stroke deprived him of the power of walking, and from that time, he could only move about as wheeled in his chair by one of the family. He died in March, 1840, when William sent the following notice, for insertion in the Kendal Mercury. " Died on Friday, the 20th inst, Mr. John Pearson, of the Yews, Crosthwaite, near Kendal, aged eighty-one. For the last three years of his life, he had been very infirm ; but he showed the greatest patience and resignation to the Divine Will. We could say more, — much more, but These Dalesmen trust The lingering dream of their departed lives To oral record, and the silent heart, Depository faithful ; and mankind Their fondest Epitaph William's mother, whose maiden name was Little, was a Cumberland woman — from the Border. Her father and grandfather were bom at the Hollows near Brompton, which was her birth-place also ; and her family, like that of her husband, were farmers.

She was well-versed in folks-lore, and William never forgot the fascinating power of her fairy-tales, which would lose nothing of their charm from being heard along with the murmur, which the Poet tells us, was " Soft as a Dorhawk to a distant ear," For the mother span on the flax-wheel, Once so dear To household virtues The imaginative element in her nature, did not, however, by any means overbear the practical. She was quick, intelligent, and remarkably energetic, and when between seventy and eighty years of age, had not given up attending the market ; and many a time, though the horse ready saddled, stood at the door, she would take up the butter basket, containing from 20 to 3olbs. of butter, and ejaculate, "nay, hang it, I'll never fash with it," and set off on foot to Kendal, a distance of six miles, and after standing the market, and shopping, would walk home again with her purchases.

Sometimes she admitted she was tired, yet after tea she was ready to walk up the hill to Hubbersty Head, to talk over the markets at her son John's. The following memorandum of her death is copied from Williams Note-book. "Friday, 18th March, 1842. On this day my dear Mother departed this life. The complaint that caused her death appears to have been brought on by cold. She became unwell about Christmas, and gradually became weaker. Although we do not know her age exactly, yet when I was in Cumberland in 1834, I was in formed by my uncle Arch/s widow, that she was at that time up wards of eighty, so that if this be correct, she must have been m her eighty-eighth year."

Chapter II

William appears to have partaken of the temperament of both parents, and the home-atmosphere nourished in him inherent capa bilities, which in after life were developed into a marked individuality. No childhood is so unconditionally surrendered to the training of Nature, as that of a rustic boy. Unreproved, he is permitted to follow the instincts that lead him to this true, faithful, gentle in structress — and with open arms she welcomed the little William, breathing over him silently, that benison which was, ere many years had passed over his head, to find utterance in lyric strains, poured forth by the Bard of the coming age, for all those who should have ears to hear. ' This child I to myself will take ; He shall be mine ; — with me The boy, on rock and plain, In earth and heaven, in glade and bower, Shall feel an overseeing power, To kindle and restrain."

Inspired by her inward promptings, he wandered with Nature through all seasons of the year, and at every hour of the day — ay and of the night too, on occasion — unconsciously feeding a deep, secret spring, from which, to the last, was to well out perennial joy, according to his need. When advanced in life, and lamenting, as sometimes he would, his want of classical learning, the system of cotnpensation was operative even for this case— for would he ever have consented to relinquish " the world of wealth" which Nature had bestowed, in exchange for the treasures of " all the Sages " . No ! assuredly no ! for through all the years of his lengthened life, the spirit of earnest deprecation that breathes in this animated line, was his, " Think not of any severing of our loves !" Only regard that tiny boy intent on capturing Trout, wriggling through the covered drain which conveys the runlet across the road at High Birks — and then contemplate in the latter half of the follow ing century, that slight, supple, erect figure, stealing down the path from his cottage on the rock, and wending his way, pannier on shoulder, rod in hand, to his ever-loved Winster — see him doff shoes and stock ings and wade the beck to disentangle his line — and own the wonder ful power of that spirit to shed a precious blessing on childhood — to transmit a precious privilege to old age !

The freedom of range afforded by the unenclosed commons, which stretched for miles in some directions near to the Yews, must have greatly fostered the spirit of boyish enterprise. His introduction to Windermere made a lasting impression on his mind. The walk, in company with his father, over Cartmel-fell, not yet enclosed and planted — the boat, the oars, the passage across the lake and back — all the adjuncts of the expedition, combined to form an epoch in his young life. But he is to be brought into contactwith still more stirring influences, calculated to reach beyond the senses, and to touch the moral and religious feelings. He is to be his mother's " one companion child," on a visit to the Cumberland relations. The journey is to be per formed on horseback— the time, probably, after the harvest, but before the days were yet too short.

Let us attend the pair up the pastoral valley of Troutbeck, with its elevated groups of antique dwellings, and its beck, as it gushes among the tumbled blocks, or sparkles over the sandy shallows, sending up its voice in the cool morning. This beautiful variation of the home scenery, would cast a spell of wild contrast, over the bald, precipitous Red Skrees, and the desolate gorge of Kirkstone pass— but before entering the defile, once more the boy descries Windermere— now seen in all its amplitude, winding far away sea-ward. But they must not linger— proceeding northward, their route— never far distant from that feeder of Broader Water which takes its rise in the Pass— is now shut in on both hands, by the lofty mountain boundaries of Patterdale; and the boy, joyously as the wild stream itself, bounds along, crossing it from side to side, or stands to look into the pure water, where, breaking against the fretted rocks, it bears onward myriads of bubbles into the still, blue pools, that indent its margin.

Then, the grotesque transformations of the mists as they sweep along the tops or the flanks of the mountains ; or the race of the cloud shadows passing over the little fields which they are approaching, would attract his wakeful observation — and the rippling, transparent, and now classic Goldrill, would usher mother and son, into that vestibule, which brings the boy for the first time, face to face with the august mountain-temple, of which Helvellyn is the High Altar; — and as his eye wanders up the solemn and mysterious coves of the mountains, who may weigh or measure the undefined feelings and ideas that are moving confusedly within — yet, destined by future processes, to be blended with his habitual consciousness. But now we lose sight of the fellow-travellers, and consign the boy to the soothing inspirations of Glencoin and Gowbarrow — though not without the assurance, that his " heart will leap up" at the sight of that vision of splendour which spans the narrow lake with many coloured arc — or that he will be moved to ecstasy by that novel and startling sight — a herd of Fallow Deer, as the timid and graceful creatures glance away beneath the trees.

Some at least, of these speculative possibilities would be realities to William; in after life, to be lighted up by the magic of imagination, into pictures of more than earthly beauty. It is not clear whether it was before or after this journey, that the wholesome restraints of school, were first brought to bear on his ad libitum way of life — but Crosthwaite school, at that time not held in much repute, was that to which he was first sent — and the following account of school life, written by him for the Lonsdale Magazine, was doubtless that of his own boyish days at this school. (Mr. Southey, who was ever prompt to encourage meritorious men like Mr. Briggs — pointed out to him with commendation, some of William's contributions to his Magazine.) He writes, " As to the reign of it is so far removed into the mists of antiquity, I can recollect little, save only the memorable day of my first going to school ; the noise— the number of boys— but above all, the awful master, arrayed in his wig and three-cornered hat.

This day I can never forget. Bashful and rustic boys have here in learning to write, formed their first hay-crooks— have here studied the sublime science of "two and two make four"— and bit their nails over the mysteries of the multiplication table. I see all my MEMOIR OF WILLIAM PFJ.RSON. 9 light-hearted, rosy school-fellows — our out-of-door, and our in-door diversions — our social noisy scampers at Black-thorn or Bandy, or foot-ball ! or the indescribable interest of scun-cap — our quieter games, such as marbles, copy-crown, &c, our bargainings, and barterings of marbles, knives, apples and pears, of which last, many a fine one have I had from the lasses, for solving their questions in arithmetic — a dry business, at which I have observed female heads are not apt! We had also catch, prison-bars, and a game called 'getting up to th' King.' Many a Saturday have we gone a bird nesting; poring along the sides of the hedges — sparing the young birds when we found any, and placing the eggs on strings, like beads — making beautiful variegated rows, to be hung up at home.

We found books, which we read, not as a task, but for pleasure ; and became versed in the leading facts of English History — and there was an old soldier, with whom we used to talk of the exploits of our Edwards and Henrys. He lent us the ' Memoirs of a Cavalier,' a work of Defoe's, which in later life, I took care to purchase. In this there was mention of Oliver Cromwell, a hero whom the old soldier admired not a little. In fact he knew so much about his achievements, and was so often talking of him, that he got the name of 'Old Oliver.' " A young man lent us the Conjurer's Maqazine, and our young imaginations were wonderfully set' afloat by its marvellous stories of robbers, ghosts, &c, and our wits exercised in solving its riddles and charades. But the book of all books, with one of the boys, was Robinson Crusoe.

Many a bold vessel did we construct, from the gallant three-masted ship, skimming before the breeze with canvas or paper sails — to the little boat with its feather stuck upright, for mast and sail at once. With these we navigated the mighty bounds of a tarn thirty or forty yards in diameter. I had never seen the sea, or a ship, so this boy and I set off one Saturday morning, our pockets well stored with bread and cheese, that I might be gratified with this glorious sight. We arrived about noon on the summit of a promontory," (Whitbarrow) " overlooking a noble estuary, the Bay of Morecamb. It was filled with the tide— the expanse of water lay beneath us, white and smooth as a mirror. A stately vessel was sailing out of it, on a gentle day, In sunshine sailing far away, A glittering ship, that hath the plain Of ocean for her own domain. ' " It was only a sloop, but it seemed to me, as grand and magnifi cent as a three-decker of the British navy !

" Indications of one trait of William's character, were manifested whilst he was at Crosthwaite school; he stood up bravely for the oppressed little boy, in whose defence he did not shrink from fighting in right good earnest, the big tyrant. This sense of justice was predominant in after life, for it seemed a necessity to him, to combat by all the means he possessed, or could command, whatever he regarded as unjust or overbearing, especially if the evil of it lighted on his head, who had none to help him. It would be easy to cite abundant instances of this. From Crosthwaite school William was removed to that of Under barrow, where the Rev. Thomas Hervey, who had gamed a wide spread reputation as an excellent teacher, was the master. Under his instruction William applied to his studies assiduously, and acquired (a somewhat unusual accomplishment for a country school,) considerable facility in writing short-hand, the use of which, he never entirely laid aside.

Assiduous too, was his devotion to sports and frolic, nor may it be irrelevant to name some of them, as supplementary to his own account. " A ministration of their own, was theirs." In the garret, a seclusion which he shared with White Owls, its usual occupants — he devoured the obsolete romances of Atnadis de Gaul, and Roncesvalles, lent to him by a school-fellow ! here also, he conned his tasks, and through the small opening which admitted air and light, he fired, as from an embrasure, on the unsuspecting rooks which settled within reach of his antiquated gun. At school, during dinner-hour, the boys used to bathe, and William learnt to swim in a shelving pool of the beck, near Greg Hall. One of their pastimes, was the royal game of war. The boys enlisted and divided into two bodies. Each bound to be loyal to its own general — French or English— during the campaign.

Battles were lost and won — skirmishes enacted, and even a siege undertaken — one noon, the neighbouring Dame's school was beleaguered and capitulated — the terms offered and accepted, being, that the Dame should set free her fair young troop to enjoy a half-holiday ! For weeks before the 5th of November, in those days so gloriously commemorated, — there was the cutting of Whins and Savin, which had to be tugged to the Bonfire-rock — and when on the eagerly anticipated night, the crackling fuel shot up huge tongues of flame, uproarious were the shouts and huzzas of the capering throng ; whilst like beacon signals, answering fires blazed on neighbouring heights. — A pursuit he much delighted in, was snaring Wood-cocks : — -'twas his joy With stores of springes o'er his shoulder hung, To range the open heights, where Woodcocks run Along the smooth, green turf.

Through half the night Scudding from snare to snare, he plied The anxious visitation- In his copy of the " Prelude," there is a marker placed by his own hand, where these lines occur ; and with an interest delightful to witness, he would talk over those moonlight nights of his boyhood, and tell how he "rose whilst it was yet night," to get the start of marauders, and secure the well-earned spoil. Nor was the artful imitation of tu-whil tu-whoo, a. forgotten feat, even in his old age — when with lad-like skill and glee, through the crossed, hollow palms of his hands, he would send into the still air, " Mimic hootings to the silent Owls." Dancing, almost the only accomplishment of rustic life, is rarely neglected, and AVilliam was sent to the dancing-school — Christmas too brought its round of visits and dances — and as the sweet spring advanced, the dressing of flies, and the nice art of angling, were be witching occupations.

This too was the season for bark-peeling, when school duties were intermitted, in order that he might earn a little money for himself. This favourite and arcadian occupation begins in May and extends through the " leafy month of June," and as its term is limited, the barkpeeler rises whilst yet the little birds are twittering in their nests, and in the " sweet hour of prime," takes his way by lane and by field, to the scene of his labours ; and there surrounded by pure air, fragrant scents, rural sounds, and a flush of verdure and flowers, he pursues his work till nightfall. William's sensitive nature was delicately susceptible of these charms, and at the distance of half a century, this episode of his youthful days, was a sunny and unfaded picture in his memory. One of his associates at Underbarrow School, whose disposition and tastes in many respects resembled his own, was the Rev. John Kirkby — as Chaplain on board a man of war, Mr. Kirkby became acquainted with many foreign parts, and was familiar with life in Brazil; and when visiting his family in Underbarrow, meetings were arranged between him and William that gave pleasure to both, but especially to William, who found delight in listening to his friend's accounts of other lands.

Mr. Kirkby afterwards held a Government appoint ment at Sheerness, until the infirmities of age claimed repose. Altogether, William's boyhood and youth may be regarded as having been a happy and productive time ; all his bodily powers and all the faculties of his mind were, during that period, brought into vigorous action; and though for a time this natural and salutary interchange, was partially interrupted, it nevertheless kept open sources of enjoyment, which contributed to secure to him a tranquil and green old age. }Vhitbarrow Scar and Morecamb Bay, as seen from Armide.

Chapter III

His first stated occupation was teaching the humble school of Winster. Here he did not remain long, but engaged himself as tutor to the four children of a widow, Mrs. Dodgson of Swallow Mire, in Cartmel-fell. At the end of two years he gave up this situation, in order to learn a business, and went into the employ of Messrs. Simpson and Harrison of Kendal, — grocers, and wine and spirit dealers. The junior partner, Daniel Harrison, had been his neighbour and compeer; their path in life, however, very soon diverged. The one became a prosperous wine and spirit merchant, in Kendal — the other a banker's clerk, in Manchester; but friendly regard continued; and agriculture, to which they both addicted themselves when past the meridian of life, furnished topics of mutual interest in their occasional encounters.

To William the year spent in Kendal was an important one. The development of the religious feelings, and the training of his moral nature, appear to have kept pace with his advance to manhood : but during his residence in Kendal, his attention was directed in an especial manner to the doctrines of the Episcopal Church in which he had been reared. His mind was not so constituted as to imbibe passively, what was presented for its acceptance, and his earnest, questioning nature, became solicitous, that his belief should not stand in the traditions of men. Happily, the air of sectarian controversy had never been breathed by him, nor could the seeds of bigotry have taken root in his mind — ■ and he approached the momentous subject, with calm feelings, and a reverent love of truth, to which vigorous mental perception, and an honest and dauntless spirit, were not at all antagonistic, and after careful reading and study of the Sacred Scriptures, along with the best helps he could obtain from other books, the conviction he arrived at, was, that the teaching of Moses and the Prophets, as set forth in the Hebrew Scriptures — and that of Jesus and his Apostles, as transmitted to us in the Christian Scriptures, are alike based on the fundamental truth, of the sole unity and deity of the Father, as distinguished from the triune oneness of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and it may seem needless to add, that with the Athanasian view of the Trinity, its cognate doctrines must either stand or fall.