22.
44.

_Of alleged Changes in Political Opinions_.
LETTER TO A FRIEND, 1821.
In the year 1821 (October 7) an old friend of Wordsworth thus writes to him: 'They tell me you have changed your opinions upon many subjects respecting which we used to think alike; but I am persuaded we shall neither of us change those great principles which ought to guide us in our conduct, and lead us to do all the good we can to others.

And I am much mistaken if we should not find many things to talk about without disturbing ourselves with political or party disputes.' To this Wordsworth answered as follows: Rydal Mount, Dec.4.

1821.
MY DEAR L----, Your letter ought to have been much earlier acknowledged, and would have been so, had I not been sure you would ascribe my silence to its true cause, viz.

procrastination, and not to indifference to your kind attention.