JOHN CLARE,  POET  (1793 - 1864)

“Saw three fellows at the end of Royce Wood who I found were laying out the plan for an ‘Iron rail way’ from Manchester to London – it is to cross over Round Oak Spring by Royce Wood Corner for Woodcroft Castle. I little thought that fresh intrusions woud interrupt & spoil my solitudes after the Inclosure they will despoil a boggy place that is famous for Orchises at Royce Wood end.”

The Journal 4 June 1825
From: The Natural History Prose Writings of John Clare. Edited by Margaret Grainger. Clarendon Press. 1983

 

Comment: John Clare's prose writing is less well known than his poetry. This brief extract retains his original spelling.