Page "William Wordsworth" Paragraph 7

With the Peace of Amiens again allowing travel to France, in 1802 Wordsworth and his sister, Dorothy, visited Annette and Caroline in Calais.

The purpose of the visit was to pave the way for his forthcoming marriage to Mary Hutchinson.

Afterwards he wrote the sonnet " It is a beauteous evening, calm and free " recalling a seaside walk with the 9 year old Caroline he had never seen prior to that visit.

The sonnet is somewhat reserved but it is plain Wordsworth felt genuine affection for his daughter, as indeed did Mary who was anxious that Wordworth should do more for Caroline should their circumstances improve.

Her wish was granted at Caroline's marriage in 1816, when Wordsworth settled £ 30 annually on Caroline, a generous allowance (£ 1, 360 purchasing power in year 2000 pounds sterling ) that continued until 1835, when it was replaced by a capital settlement.