text:  As to the imputed plagiarism Wordsworth would no doubt have avowed it had he been conscious that it was one and that you could attach so much importance to the honour of having reminded him of a secret in conchology known to every old nurse in the country as well as to every boy or girl that ever found a shell on the shore or was tall enough to reach one off a cottage parlour mantelpiece; but which he could apply to a sublime and reverent purpose never dreamed of by them or you