January 1791: Senate House examinations at Cambridge. He takes and passes his Cambridge Senate House Examination without distinction, which effectively rules out an academic career for him. He is now faced with finding a means of supporting himself. His most likely course is to take holy orders, but he is not enthusiastic, and, besides, this career is not open to him until the age of 23. He also speculates about becoming a lawyer, tutor or travelling companion to the son of a wealthy person, a journalist, or joining the army. His uncle William of Forncett suggests that he study Oriental languages while waiting to take holy orders.
February - May: London He is now a free man, but is being pressed by his uncles to decide on a career. He goes to London, and spends most of this first sojourn as a tourist (see The Prelude Bk VII, Residence in London).
He visits St Paul's Cathedral, the Tower, Westminster Abbey, the Guildhall, Sadler's Wells (particularly Sadler's Wells), and the pleasure gardens at Ranelagh and Vauxhall, and attends some sermons and some parliamentary debates, though, as these verses were written in 1804, it is possible that events from later sojourns in London are mixed in.
He writes: I quitted London about three weeks ago where my time was passed in a strange manner; sometimes whirled about by the vortex of its strenua inertia1, and sometimes thrown by the eddy into a corner of the stream, where I lay in almost motionless indolence. Think not, however, that I had not many very pleasant hours; a man must be unfortunate indeed who resides four months in Town without some of his time being disposed of in such a manner, as he woud forget with reluctance. (Letter to William Matthews, Plas-yn-Llan, 17 June 1791)
1. strenua inertia = energetic idleness or masterly inactivity
June - August: North Wales. He visits his friend Jones at Plas-yn-llan. During the course of this visit, he accompanies Jones on a walking tour of the area, and it is probably on this occasion that they complete a nocturnal expedition up Snowdon together, which features in Bk XIV of The Prelude (1850), (lines 1-60).
Dorothy writes that William: is now in Wales where I think he seems so happy that it is probable he will remain there all the summer or a great part of it: Who would not be happy enjoying the company of three young ladies in the Vale of Clwyd and without a rival? (Letter to Jane Pollard from Forncett, 26 June 1791)
He writes to William Matthews: The truth of the matter is that when in Town I did little, and since I came here I have done nothing, a miserable account! (Letter, Plas-yn-Llan, 13 August 1791
August to September: London again.
He writes that he left Wales on a summons from Mr Robinson ....respecting my going into orders, and taking a curacy at Harwich where his interest chiefly lies, which curacy he considered an introductory to the living. I thought it was best to pay my respects to him [in] person, to inform him that I was not of age. (Letter to William Matthews, from Cambridge, 23 September 1791) Robinson was a nephew of his paternal grandmother, MP for Harwich and Secretary to the Treasury under Lord North. A real big-wig.
September to October: Cambridge. He proceeds to Cambridge, writing: I shall stay here till the University fills. (ibid)
October to November: London. he makes his way once again to London where his elder brother Richard Wordsworth is now a working lawyer at Gray's Inn. Richard writes on his (William's) behalf to Uncle Richard Wordsworth of Whitehaven on 7 November, 1791: I found my brother William in London: he is advised to pass the Time previous to the Time of his taking Orders in some retired place in France which will be less expensive and more improving than in England, it is his wish to set off immediately and he would be much obliged if You could advance for him £40 which will support him till next summer.
Somewhat surprisingly, his uncle agrees to this request, on the condition that he seek out a retired place, avoiding the excitement and expense of Paris. All in all, it's not a bad idea: he can learn French, and live cheaply at the same time, while waiting for his projected ordination at the age of twenty-three. In theory.
Whilst in Brighton waiting for a boat to take him to Dieppe, he presents himself to Charlotte Smith, the poetess, who gives him letters of introduction to some of her friends in Paris and Orléans, including Helen Maria Williams, who has been living in France since July and Orléans since October. The two women are strong supporters of the French revolution.
December: He makes the crossing to Dieppe, then proceeds to Paris, where he stays several days, taking the opportunity to do some sightseeing, before leaving for Orléans, where he is disappointed to find that Ms Williams has already left.