First published in 1970, this stylistic and interpretative account of some of Wordsworth's major poetry examines description and meditation in his landscape writing. It describes the integration of two kinds of thinking, and a variety of beauties and lapses that come from their separation.

Although Wordsworth's deepest affinity was with nature, the author argues the finest landscape writing of the poet's late twenties and early thirties derives from his attempt to humanise his love of nature. This work therefore aims to examine the way in which Wordsworth strives in his poetry to extend his range of concern from love of nature to love of mankind.