Thanks for this, Andrew. Curious that the review doesn't mention Penelope Hughes-Hallet's book (reviewed here) on the same subject (and with almost the same title), which came out in 2000.
That really is curious, Gregory. Dirda must not have known of it--although it seems that Plumly would have mentioned it in the preface to his book, at least.
There is a great story about a postal inspector blundering his way into the dinner and querying Wordsworth about post office business. Lamb was said to say, "I must inspect his organs" before being sent out of the room. I am on the search.