I
Ihavecommittedsins，ofcourse；butIhavenotcommittedenoughofthemtoentitlemetothepunishmentofreductiontothebreadandwaterofordinaryliteratureduringsixyearswhenImighthavebeenlivingonthefatdietspreadfortherighteousinProfessorDowden’sLifeofShelley，ifIhadbeenjustlydealtwith。
DuringthesesixyearsIhavebeenlivingalifeofpeacefulignorance。
IwasnotawarethatShelley’sfirstwifewasunfaithfultohim，andthatthatwaswhyhedesertedherandwipedthestainfromhissensitivehonorbyenteringintosoiledrelationswithGodwin’syoungdaughter。ThiswasallnewtomewhenIhearditlately，andwastoldthattheproofsofitwereinthisbook，andthatthisbook’sverdictisacceptedinthegirls’
collegesofAmericaanditsviewtaughtintheirliteraryclasses。
IneachofthesesixyearsmultitudesofyoungpeopleinourcountryhavearrivedattheShelley-readingage。ArethesesixmultitudesunacquaintedwiththislifeofShelley？Perhapstheyare；indeed，onemayfeelprettysurethatthegreatbulkofthemare。Tothese，then，I
addressmyself，inthehopethatsomeaccountofthisromantichistoricalfableandthefabulist’smannerofconstructingandadorningitmayinterestthem。
First，astoitsliterarystyle。OurnegroesinAmericahaveseveralwaysofentertainingthemselveswhicharenotfoundamongthewhitesanywhere。Amongtheseinventionsoftheirsisonewhichisparticularlypopularwiththem。Itisacompetitioninelegantdeportment。Theyhireahallandbankthespectators’seatsinrisingtiersalongthetwosides，leavingallthemiddlestretchofthefloorfree。Acakeisprovidedasaprizeforthewinnerinthecompetition，andabenchofexpertsindeportmentisappointedtoawardit。Sometimesthereareasmanyasfiftycontestants，maleandfemale，andfivehundredspectators。
Oneatatimethecontestantsenter，clothedregardlessofexpenseinwhateachconsiderstheperfectionofstyleandtaste，andwalkdownthevacantcentralspaceandbackagainwiththatmultitudeofcriticaleyesonthem。Allthatthecompetitorknowsoffineairsandgraceshethrowsintohiscarriage，allthatheknowsofseductiveexpressionhethrowsintohiscountenance。Hemayuseallthehelpshecandevise：watch-
chaintotwirlwithhisfingers，canetodogracefulthingswith，snowyhandkerchieftoflourishandgetartfuleffectsoutof，shinynewstovepipehattoassistinhiscourtlybows；andthecoloredladymayhaveafantoworkuphereffectswith，andsmileoverandblushbehind，andshemayaddotherhelps，accordingtoherjudgment。Whenthereviewbyindividualdetailisover，agrandreviewofallthecontestantsinprocessionfollows，withalltheairsandgracesandallthebowingsandsmirkingsonexhibitionatonce，andthisenablesthebenchofexpertstomakethenecessarycomparisonsandarriveataverdict。ThesuccessfulcompetitorgetstheprizewhichIhavebeforementioned，andanabundanceofapplauseandenvyalongwithit。Thenegroeshaveanameforthisgravedeportment-tournament；anametakenfromtheprizecontendedfor。
TheycallitaCakewalk。
ThisShelleybiographyisaliterarycake-walk。Theordinaryformsofspeechareabsentfromit。Allthepages，alltheparagraphs，walkbysedately，elegantly，nottosaymincingly，intheirSunday-best，shinyandsleek，perfumed，andwithboutonnieresintheirbutton-holes；itisraretofindevenachancesentencethathasforgottentodress。IfthebookwishestotellusthatMaryGodwin，childofsixteen，hadknownafflictions，thefactsauntersforthinthisnobbyoutfit：\"Marywasherselfnotunlearnedintheloreofpain\"——meaningbythatthatshehadnotalwaystraveledonasphalt；or，assomeauthoritieswouldframeit，thatshehad\"beenthereherself，\"aformwhich，whilepreferabletothebook’sform，isstillnottoberecommended。IfthebookwishestotellusthatHarrietShelleyhiredawet-nurse，thatcommonplacefactgetsturnedintoadancing-master，whodoeshisprofessionalbowbeforeusinpumpsandknee-breeches，withhisfiddleunderonearmandhiscrush-hatundertheother，thus：\"ThebeautyofHarriet’smotherlyrelationtoherbabewasmarredinShelley’seyesbytheintroductionintohishouseofahirelingnursetowhomwasdelegatedthemother’stenderestoffice。\"
ThisisperhapsthestrangestbookthathasseenthelightsinceFrankenstein。Indeed，itisaFrankensteinitself；aFrankensteinwiththeoriginalinfirmitysupplementedbyanewone；aFrankensteinwiththereasoningfacultywanting。Yetitbelievesitcanreason，andisalwaystrying。Itisnotcontenttoleaveamountainoffactstandingintheclearsunshine，wherethesimplestreadercanperceiveitsform，itsdetails，anditsrelationtotherestofthelandscape，butthinksitmusthelphimexamineitandunderstandit；soitsdriftingmindsettlesuponitwiththatintent，butalwayswithoneandthesameresult：thereisachangeoftemperatureandthemountainishidinafog。Everytimeitsetsupapremiseandstartstoreasonfromit，thereisasurpriseinstoreforthereader。Itisstrangelynearsighted，cross-eyed，andpurblind。Sometimeswhenamastodonwalksacrossthefieldofitsvisionittakesitforarat；atothertimesitdoesnotseeitatall。
Thematerialsofthisbiographicalfablearefacts，rumors，andpoetry。
Theyareconnectedtogetherandharmonizedbythehelpofsuggestion，conjecture，innuendo，perversion，andsemi-suppression。
Thefablehasadistinctobjectinview，butthisobjectisnotacknowledgedinsetwords。PercyByssheShelleyhasdonesomethingwhichinthecaseofothermeniscalledagravecrime；itmustbeshownthatinhiscaseitisnotthat，becausehedoesnotthinkasothermendoaboutthesethings。
Oughtnotthattobeenough，ifthefabulistisserious？Havingprovedthatacrimeisnotacrime，wasitworthwhiletogoonandfastentheresponsibilityofacrimewhichwasnotacrimeuponsomebodyelse？Whatistheuseofhuntingdownandholdingtobitteraccountpeoplewhoareresponsibleforotherpeople’sinnocentacts？
Still，thefabulistthinksitagoodideatodothat。InhisviewShelley’sfirstwife，Harriet，freeofalloffenseasfaraswehavehistoricalfactsforguidance，mustbeheldunforgivablyresponsibleforherhusband’sinnocentactindesertingherandtakingupwithanotherwoman。
Anyonewillsuspectthatthistaskhasitsdifficulties。Anyonewilldivinethatniceworkisnecessaryhere，cautiouswork，wilywork，andthatthereisentertainmenttobehadinwatchingthemagiciandoit。
Thereisindeedentertainmentinwatchinghim。Hearrangeshisfacts，hisrumors，andhispoemsonhistableinfullviewofthehouse，andshowsyouthateverythingisthere——nodeception，everythingfairandaboveboard。Andthisisapparentlytrue，yetthereisadefect，forsomeofhisbeststockishidinanappendix-basketbehindthedoor，andyoudonotcomeuponituntiltheexhibitionisoverandtheenchantmentofyourmindaccomplished——asthemagicianthinks。
Thereisaninsistentatmosphereofcandorandfairnessaboutthisbookwhichisengagingatfirst，thenalittleburdensome，thenatriflefatiguing，thenprogressivelysuspicious，annoying，irritating，andoppressive。Ittakesonesomelittletimetofindoutthatphraseswhichseemintendedtoguidethereaderarightaretheretomisleadhim；thatphraseswhichseemintendedtothrowlightaretheretothrowdarkness；
thatphraseswhichseemintendedtointerpretafactaretheretomisinterpretit；thatphraseswhichseemintendedtoforestallprejudicearetheretocreateit；thatphraseswhichseemantidotesarepoisonsindisguise。ThenakedfactsarrayedinthebookestablishShelley’sguiltinthatoneepisodewhichdisfigureshisotherwisesuperlativelyloftyandbeautifullife；butthehistorian’scarefulandmethodicalmisinterpretationofthemtransferstheresponsibilitytothewife’sshouldersashepersuadeshimself。ThefewmeagrefactsofHarrietShelley’slife，asfurnishedbythebook，acquitherofoffense；butbycallingintheforbiddenhelpsofrumor，gossip，conjecture，insinuation，andinnuendohedestroyshercharacterandrehabilitatesShelley’s——ashebelieves。Andintruthhisunheroicworkhasnotbeenbarrenoftheresultsheaimedat；aswitnesstheassertionmadetomethatgirlsinthecollegesofAmericaaretaughtthatHarrietShelleyputastainuponherhusband’shonor，andthatthatwaswhatstunghimintorepurifyinghimselfbydesertingherandhischildandenteringintoscandalousrelationswithaschool-girlacquaintanceofhis。
Ifthatassertionistrue，theyprobablyuseareductionofthisworkinthosecolleges，maybeonlyasketchoutlinedfromit。Suchathingasthatcouldbeharmfulandmisleading。Theyoughttocastitoutandputthewholebookinitsplace。Itwouldnotdeceive。Itwouldnotdeceivethejanitor。
Allofthisbookisinterestingonaccountofthesorcerer’smethodsandtheattractivenessofsomeofhischaractersandtherepulsivenessoftherest，butnopartofitissomuchsoasarethechapterswhereinhetriestothinkhethinkshesetsforththecauseswhichledtoShelley’sdesertionofhiswifein1814。
HarrietWestbrookwasaschool-girlsixteenyearsold。Shelleywasteemingwithadvancedthought。HebelievedthatChristianitywasadegradingandselfishsuperstition，andhehadadeepandsinceredesiretorescueoneofhissistersfromit。Harrietwasimpressedbyhisvariousphilosophiesandlookeduponhimasanintellectualwonder——
whichindeedhewas。Hehadanideathatshecouldgivehimvaluablehelpinhisschemeregardinghissister；thereforeheaskedhertocorrespondwithhim。Shewasquitewilling。Shelleywasnotthinkingoflove，forhewasjustgettingoverapassionforhiscousin，HarrietGrove，andjustgettingwellsteepedinoneforMissHitchener，aschool-
teacher。WhatmighthappentoHarrietWestbrookbeforetheletter-
writingwasendeddidnotenterhismind。Yetanolderpersoncouldhavemadeagoodguessatit，forinpersonShelleywasasbeautifulasanangel，hewasfrank，sweet，winning，unassuming，andsorichinunselfishness，generosities，andmagnanimitiesthathemadehiswholegenerationseempoorinthesegreatqualitiesbycomparison。Besides，hewasindistress。Hiscollegehadexpelledhimforwritinganatheisticalpamphletandafflictingthereverendheadsoftheuniversitywithit，hisrichfatherandgrandfatherhadclosedtheirpursesagainsthim，hisfriendswerecold。Necessarily，Harrietfellinlovewithhim；
andsodeeply，indeed，thattherewasnowayforShelleytosaveherfromsuicidebuttomarryher。Hebelievedhimselftoblameforthisstateofthings，sothemarriagetookplace。HewasprettyfairlyinlovewithHarriet，althoughhelovedMissHitchenerbetter。HewroteandexplainedthecasetoMissHitchenerafterthewedding，andhecouldnothavebeenfrankerormorenaiveandlessstirredupaboutthecircumstanceifthematterinissuehadbeenacommercialtransactioninvolvingthirty-fivedollars。
Shelleywasnineteen。Hewasnotayouth，butaman。Hehadneverhadanyyouth。Hewasanerraticandfantasticchildduringeighteenyears，thenhesteppedintomanhood，asonestepsoveradoor-sill。Hewascuriouslymatureatnineteeninhisabilitytodoindependentthinkingonthedeepquestionsoflifeandtoarriveatsharplydefinitedecisionsregardingthem，andsticktothem——sticktothemandstandbythematcostofbread，friendships，esteem，respect，andapprobation。
Forthesakeofhisopinionshewaswillingtosacrificeallthesevaluablethings，anddidsacrificethem；andwentondoingit，too，whenhecouldatanymomenthavemadehimselfrichandsuppliedhimselfwithfriendsandesteembycompromisingwithhisfather，atthemoderateexpenseofthrowingoverboardoneortwoindifferentdetailsofhiscargoofprinciples。
HeandHarrietelopedtoScotlandandgotmarried。TheytooklodgingsinEdinburghofasortanswerabletotheirpurse，whichwasaboutempty，andtheretheirlifewasahappy，oneandgrewdailymoreso。Theyhadonlythemselvesforcompany，buttheyneedednoadditionstoit。Theywereascozyandcontentedasbirdsinanest。Harrietsangeveningsorreadaloud；alsoshestudiedandtriedtoimprovehermind，herhusbandinstructingherinLatin。Shewasverybeautiful，shewasmodest，quiet，genuine，and，accordingtoherhusband’stestimony，shehadnofineladyairsoraspirationsabouther。InMatthewArnold’sjudgment，shewas\"apleasingfigure。\"
ThepairremainedfiveweeksinEdinburgh，andthentooklodgingsinYork，whereShelley’scollegemate，Hogg，lived。ShelleypresentlyrandowntoLondon，andHoggtookthisopportunitytomakelovetotheyoungwife。Sherepulsedhim，andreportedthefacttoherhusbandwhenhegotback。ItseemsapitythatShelleydidnotcopythiscreditableconductofherssometimeorotherwhenundertemptation，sothatwemighthaveseentheauthorofhisbiographyhangthemiracleintheskiesandsquirtrainbowsatit。
Attheendofthefirstyearofmarriage——themosttryingyearforanyyoungcouple，forthenthemutualfailingsarecomingonebyonetolight，andthenecessaryadjustmentsarebeingmadeinpainandtribulation——Shelleywasabletorecognizethathismarriageventurehadbeenasafeone。Aswehaveseen，hisloveforhiswifehadbeguninarathershallowwayandwithnotmuchforce，butnowitwasbecomedeepandstrong，whichentitleshiswifetoabroadcreditmark，onemayadmit。Headdressesalongandlovingpoemtoher，inwhichbothpassionandworshipappear：
ExhibitA
\"OthouWhosedearlovegleameduponthegloomypathWhichthislonespirittravelled，……wiltthounotturnThosespirit-beamingeyesandlookonme。
UntilIbeassuredthatEarthisHeavenAndHeavenisEarth？……
Harriet！letdeathallmortaltiesdissolve，Butoursshallnotbemortal。\"
ShelleyalsowroteasonnettoherinAugustofthissameyearincelebrationofherbirthday：
ExhibitB
EverasnowwithhoveandVirtue’sglowMaythyunwitheringsoulnotceasetoburn，Stillmaythineheartwiththosepurethoughtso’erflowWhichforcefromminesuchquickandwarmreturn。\"
Wasthegirlofseventeengladandproudandhappy？Wemayconjecturethatshewas。
Thatwastheyear1812。Anotheryearpassedstillhappily，stillsuccessfully——achildwasborninJune，1813，andinSeptember，threemonthslater，Shelleyaddressesapoemtothischild，Ianthe，inwhichhepointsoutjustwhenthelittlecreatureismostparticularlydeartohim：
ExhibitC
\"DearestwhenmostthytendertraitsexpressTheimageofthymother’sloveliness。\"
UptothispointthefabulistcounselforShelleyandprosecutorofhisyoungwifehashadeasysailing，butnowhistroublebegins，forShelleyisgettingreadytomakesomeunpleasanthistoryforhimself，anditwillbenecessarytoputtheblameofitonthewife。
Shelleyhadmadetheacquaintanceofacharminggray-haired，young-
heartedMrs。Boinville，whoseface\"retainedacertainyouthfulbeauty\"；
shelivedatBracknell，andhadayoungdaughternamedCorneliaTurner，whowasequippedwithmanyfascinations。Apparentlythesepeopleweresufficientlysentimental。HoggsaysofMrs。Boinville：
\"Thegreaterpartofherassociateswereodious。Igenerallyfoundtheretwoorthreesentimentalyoungbutchers，aneminentlyphilosophicaltinker，andseveralveryunsophisticatedmedicalpractitionersormedicalstudents，allofloworiginandvulgarandoffensivemanners。Theysighed，turneduptheireyes，retailedphilosophy，suchasitwas，\"
etc。
ShelleymovedtoBracknell，July27th（thisisstill1813）purposelytobenearthisunwholesomeprairie-dogs’nest。Thefabulistsays：\"Itwastheentranceintoaworldmoreamiableandexquisitethanhehadyetknown。\"
\"Inthisacquaintancetheattractionwasmutual\"——andpresentlyitgrewtobeverymutualindeed，betweenShelleyandCorneliaTurner，whentheygottostudyingtheItalianpoetstogether。Shelley，\"respondinglikeatremulousinstrumenttoeverybreathofpassionorofsentiment，\"hadhischancehere。IttookonlyfourdaysforCornelia’sattractionstobegintodimHarriet’s。Shelleyarrivedonthe27thofJuly；onthe31sthewroteasonnettoHarrietinwhich\"onedetectsalreadythelittleriftinthelover’slutewhichhadseemedtobehealedornevertohavegapedatallwhenthelaterandhappiersonnettoIanthewaswritten\"——inSeptember，weremember：
ExhibitD
\"EVENING。TOHARRIET
\"OthoubrightSun！BeneaththedarkbluelineOfwesterndistancethatsublimedescendest，And，gleaminglovelierasthybeamsdecline，Thymillionhuestoeveryvaporlendest，Andovercobweb，lawn，andgrove，andstreamSheddesttheliquidmagicofthylight，TillcalmEarth，withthepartingsplendorbright，Showslikethevisionofabeauteousdream；
WhatgazernowwithastronomiceyeCouldcoldlycountthespotswithinthysphere？
Suchwerethylover，Harriet，couldheflyThethoughtsofallthatmakeshispassiondear，AndturningsenselessfromthywarmcaressPickflawsinourclose-wovenhappiness。\"
Icannotfindthe\"rift\"；stillitmaybethere。Whatthepoemseemstosayis，thatapersonwouldbecoldlyungratefulwhocouldconsenttocountandconsiderlittlespotsandflawsinsuchawarm，great，satisfyingsunasHarrietis。Itisa\"littleriftwhichhadseemedtobehealed，ornevertohavegapedatall。\"Thatis，\"onedetects\"alittleriftwhichperhapshadneverexisted。Howdoesonedothat？
Howdoesoneseetheinvisible？Itisthefabulist’ssecret；heknowshowtodetectwhatdoesnotexist，heknowshowtoseewhatisnotseeable；itishisgift，andheworksitmanyatimetopoordeadHarrietShelley’sdeepdamage。
\"Asyet，however，iftherewasaspeckuponShelley’shappinessitwasnomorethanaspeck\"——meaningtheonewhichonedetectswhere\"itmayneverhavegapedatall\"——\"norhadHarrietcausefordiscontent。\"
Shelley’sLatininstructionstohiswifehadceased。\"Fromateacherhehadnowbecomeapupil。\"Mrs。BoinvilleandheryoungmarrieddaughterCorneliawereteachinghimItalianpoetry；afactwhichwarnsonetoreceivewithsomecautionthatotherstatementthatHarriethadno\"causefordiscontent。\"
ShelleyhadstoppedinstructingHarrietinLatin，asbeforementioned。
ThebiographerthinksthatthebusylifeinLondonsometimeback，andtheintrusionofthebaby，accountforthis。Thesewerehindrances，butweretherenoothers？Heisalwaysoverlookingadetailhereandtherethatmightbevaluableinhelpingusunderstandasituation。Forinstance，whenamanhasbeenhardatworkattheItalianpoetswithaprettywoman，hourafterhour，andrespondinglikeatremulousinstrumenttoeverybreathofpassionorofsentimentinthemeantime，thatmanisdog-tiredwhenhegetshome，andhecan’tteachhiswifeLatin；itwouldbeunreasonabletoexpectit。
UptothistimewehavesubmittedtohavingMrs。BoinvillepusheduponusasostensiblyconcernedintheseItalianlessons，butthebiographerdropshernow，ofhisownaccord。Cornelia\"perhaps\"issoleteacher。
Hoggsaysshewasapreytoakindofsweetmelancholy，arisingfromcausespurelyimaginary；sherequiredconsolation，andfounditinPetrarch。Healsosays，\"Byssheenteredatoncefullyintoherviewsandcaughtthesoftinfection，breathingthetenderestandsweetestmelancholy，aseverytruepoetought。\"
ThentheauthorofthebookinterlardsamoststatelyandfinecomplimenttoCornelia，furnishedbyamanofapprovedjudgmentwhoknewherwell\"inlateryears。\"Itisaverygoodcomplimentindeed，andshenodoubtdeserveditinher\"lateryears，\"whenshehadforgenerationsceasedtobesentimentalandlackadaisical，andwasnolongerengagedinenchantingyounghusbandsandsowingsorrowforyoungwives。Butwhyisthatcomplimenttothatoldgentlewomanintrudedthere？Isittomakethereaderbelieveshewaswell-chosenandsafesocietyforayoung，sentimentalhusband？Thebiographer’sdevicewasnotwellplanned。Thatoldpersonwasnotpresent——itwasherotherselfthatwasthere，heryoung，sentimental，melancholy，warm-bloodedself，inthoseearlysweettimesbeforeantiquityhadcooledheroffandmossedherback。
\"InchoosingforfriendssuchwomenasMrs。Newton，Mrs。Boinville，andCorneliaTurner，Shelleygavegoodproofofhisinsightanddiscrimination。\"Thatisthefabulist’sopinion——HarrietShelley’sisnotreported。
EarlyinAugust，ShelleywasinLondontryingtoraisemoney。InSeptemberhewrotethepoemtothebaby，alreadyquotedfrom。InthefirstweekofOctoberShelleyandfamilywenttoWarwick，thentoEdinburgh，arrivingthereaboutthemiddleofthemonth。
\"Harrietwashappy。\"Why？Theauthorfurnishesareason，buthidesfromuswhetheritishistoryorconjecture；itisbecause\"thebabehadbornethejourneywell。\"Ithasalltheaspectofoneofhisartfuldevices——
flungininhisfavoritecasualway——thewayhehaswhenhewantstodrawone’sattentionawayfromanobviousthingandamuseitwithsometriflethatislessobviousbutmoreuseful——inahistorylikethis。Theobviousthingis，thatHarrietwashappybecausetherewasmuchterritorybetweenherhusbandandCorneliaTurnernow；andbecausetheperilousItalianlessonsweretakingarest；andbecause，iftherechancedtobeanyrespondingslikeatremulousinstrumenttoeverybreathofpassionorofsentimentinstockinthesedays，shemighthopetogetashareofthemherself；andbecause，withherhusbandliberated，now，fromthefetidfascinationsofthatsentimentalretreatsopitilesslydescribedbyHogg，whoalsodubbedit\"Shelley’sparadise\"later，shemighthopetopersuadehimtostayawayfromitpermanently；andbecauseshemightalsohopethathisbrainwouldcool，now，andhisheartbecomehealthy，andbothbrainandheartconsiderthesituationandresolvethatitwouldbearightandmanlythingtostandbythisgirl-wifeandherchildandseethattheywerehonorablydealtwith，andcherishedandprotectedandlovedbythemanthathadpromisedthesethings，andsobemadehappyandkeptso。Andbecause，also——mayweconjecturethis？——wemayhopefortheprivilegeoftakingupourcozyLatinlessonsagain，thatusedtobesopleasant，andbroughtussoneartogether——sonear，indeed，thatoftenourheadstouched，justasheadsdooverItalianlessons；andourhandsmetincasualandunintentional，butstillmostdeliciousandthrillinglittlecontactsandmomentaryclasps，justastheyinevitablydooverItalianlessons。Supposeoneshouldsaytoanyyoungwife：\"IfindthatyourhusbandisporingovertheItalianpoetsandbeinginstructedinthebeautifulItalianlanguagebythelovelyCorneliaRobinson\"——wouldthatcozypicturefailtorisebeforehermind？woulditspossibilitiesfailtosuggestthemselvestoher？wouldtherebeapanginherheartandablushonherface？or，onthecontrary，wouldtheremarkgiveherpleasure，makeherjoyousandgay？Why，oneneedsonlytomaketheexperiment——theresultwillnotbeuncertain。
However，welearn——byauthorityofdeeplyreasonedandsearchingconjecture——thatthebabyborethejourneywell，andthatthatwaswhytheyoungwifewashappy。Thataccountsfortwopercent。ofthehappiness，butitwasnotrighttoimplythatitaccountedfortheotherninety-eightalso。
Peacock，ascholar，poet，andfriendoftheShelleys，wasoftheirpartywhentheywentaway。HeusedtolaughattheBoinvillemenagerie，and\"wasnotafavorite。\"OneoftheBoinvillegroup，writingtoHogg，said，\"TheShelleyshavemadeanadditiontotheirpartyinthepersonofacoldscholar，who，Ithink，hasneithertastenorfeeling。This，Shelleywillperceivesoonerorlater，forhiswarmnaturecravessympathy。\"
True，andShelleywillfighthiswaybacktheretogetit——therewillbenowaytoheadhimoff。
TowardstheendofNovemberitwasnecessaryforShelleytopayabusinessvisittoLondon，andheconceivedtheprojectofleavingHarrietandthebabyinEdinburghwithHarriet’ssister，ElizaWestbrook，asensible，practicalmaidenladyaboutthirtyyearsold，whohadspentagreatpartofhertimewiththefamilysincethemarriage。Shewasanestimablewoman，andShelleyhadhadreasontolikeher，anddidlikeher；butalongaboutthistimehisfeelingtowardsherchanged。PartofShelley’splan，ashewroteHogg，wastospendhisLondoneveningswiththeNewtons——membersoftheBoinvilleHystericalSociety。But，alas，whenhearrivedearlyinDecember，thatpleasantgamewaspartiallyblocked，forElizaandthefamilyarrivedwithhim。Weareleftdestituteofconjecturesatthispointbythebiographer，anditismydutytosupplyone。IchancetheconjecturethatitwasElizawhointerferedwiththatgame。IthinkshetriedtodowhatshecouldtowardsmodifyingtheBoinvilleconnection，intheinterestofheryoungsister’speaceandhonor。
Ifitwasshewhoblockedthatgame，shewasnotstrongenoughtoblockthenextone。Beforethemonthandyearwereout——nodategiven，letuscallitChristmas——ShelleyandfamilywerenestedinafurnishedhouseinWindsor，\"atnogreatdistancefromtheBoinvilles\"——thesedecoysstillresidingatBracknell。
Whatweneed，now，isamisleadingconjecture。Wegetitwithcharacteristicpromptnessanddepravity：
\"ButPrinceAthanasefoundnottheagedZonoras，thefriendofhisboyhood，inanywanderingstoWindsor。Dr。Lindhaddiedayearsince，andwithhisdeathWindsormusthavelost，forShelley，itschiefattraction。\"
Still，nottomentionShelley’swife，therewasBracknell，atanyrate。
WhileBracknellremains，allsolaceisnotlost。Shelleyisrepresentedbythisbiographerasdoingagreatmanycarelessthings，buttomymindthishiringafurnishedhouseforthreemonthsinordertobewithamanwhohasbeendeadayear，isthecarelessestofthemall。Onefeelsforhim——thatisbutnatural，anddoesushonorbesides——yetoneisvexed，forallthat。HecouldhavewrittenandaskedabouttheagedZonorasbeforetakingthehouse。Hemaynothavehadtheaddress，butthatisnothing——anypostmanwouldknowtheagedZonoras；adeadpostmanwouldrememberanamelikethat。
Andyet，whythrowaraglikethistousraveningwolves？Isitseriouslysupposablethatwewillstoptochewitandletourpreyescape？No，wearegettingtoexpectthiskindofdevice，andtogiveitmerelyasniffforcertainty’ssakeandthenwalkarounditandleaveitlying。ShelleywasnotaftertheagedZonoras；hewaspointedforCorneliaandtheItalianlessons，forhiswarmnaturewascravingsympathy。
II
Theyear1813isjustendednow，andwestepinto1814。
Torecapitulate，howmuchofCornelia’ssocietyhasShelleyhad，thusfar？PortionsofAugustandSeptember，andfourdaysofJuly。Thatistosay，hehashadopportunitytoenjoyit，moreorless，duringthatbriefperiod。Didhewantsomemoreofit？Wemustfallbackuponhistory，andthengotoconjecturing。
\"Intheearlypartoftheyear1814，ShelleywasafrequentvisitoratBracknell。\"
\"Frequent\"isacautiousword，inthisauthor’smouth；theverycautiousnessofit，thevaguenessofit，provokessuspicion；itmakesonesuspectthatthisfrequencywasmorefrequentthanthemerecommoneverydaykindsoffrequencywhichoneisinthehabitofaveragingupwiththeunassumingterm\"frequent。\"IthinksobecausetheyfixedupabedroomforhimintheBoinvillehouse。Onedoesn’tneedabedroomifoneisonlygoingtorunovernowandtheninadisconnectedwaytorespondlikeatremulousinstrumenttoeverybreathofpassionorofsentimentandrubupone’sItalianpoetryalittle。
Theyoungwifewasnotinvited，perhaps。Ifshewas，shemostcertainlydidnotcome，orshewouldhavestraightenedtheroomup；themostignorantofusknowsthatawifewouldnotendurearoomintheconditioninwhichHoggfoundthisonewhenheoccupieditonenight。Shelleywasaway——why，nobodycandivine。Clotheswerescatteredabout，therewerebooksoneveryside：\"Whereverabookcouldbelaidwasanopenbookturneddownonitsfacetokeepitsplace。\"Itseemsplainthatthewifewasnotinvited。No，notthat；Ithinkshewasinvited，butsaidtoherselfthatshecouldnotbeartogothereandseeanotheryoungwomantouchingheadswithherhusbandoveranItalianbookandmakingthrillinghand-contactswithhimaccidentally。
Asremarked，hewasafrequentvisitorthere，\"wherehefoundaneasefulresting-placeinthehouseofMrs。Boinville——thewhite-hairedMaimuna——
andofherdaughter，Mrs。Turner。\"TheagedZonoraswasdeceased，butthewhite-hairedMaimunawasstillondeck，aswesee。\"Threecharmingladiesentertainedthemocker（Hogg）withcupsoftea，latehours，Wieland’sAgathon，sighsandsmiles，andthecelestialmannaofrefinedsentiment。\"
\"Such，\"saysHogg，\"werethedelightsofShelley’sparadiseinBracknell。\"
Thewhite-hairedMaimunapresentlywritestoHogg：
\"Iwillnothaveyoudespisehome-spunpleasures。Shelleyismakingatrialofthemwithus——\"
Atrialofthem。Itmaybecalledthat。ItwasMarch11，andhehadbeeninthehouseamonth。Shecontinues：
Shelley\"likesthensowellthatheisresolvedtoleaveofframbling——\"
Buthehasalreadyleftitoff。Hehasbeenthereamonth。
\"Andbeginacourseofthemhimself。\"
Buthehasalreadybegunit。Hehasbeenatitamonth。Helikesitsowellthathehasforgottenallabouthiswife，asaletterofhisreveals。
\"Seriously，Ithinkhismindandbodywantrest。\"
Yethehasbeenrestingbothforamonth，withItalian，andtea，andmannaofsentiment，andlatehours，andeveryrestfulthingayounghusbandcouldneedfortherefreshmentofwearylimbsandasoreconscience，andanaggingsenseofshabbinessandtreachery。
\"Hisjourneysafterwhathehasneverfoundhaverackedhispurseandhistranquillity。Heisresolvedtotakealittlecareoftheformer，inpitytothelatter，whichIapplaud，andshallsecondwithall，mymight。\"
Butshedoesnotsaywhethertheyoungwife，astrangerandlonelyyonder，wantsanotherwomanandherdaughterCorneliatobelavishingsomuchinflamedinterestonherhusbandornot。Thatyoungwifeisalwayssilent——weareneverallowedtohearfromher。Shemusthaveopinionsaboutsuchthings，shecannotbeindifferent，shemustbeapprovingordisapproving，surelyshewouldspeakifshewereallowed——evento-dayandfromhergraveshewould，ifshecould，Ithink——butwegetonlytheotherside，theykeephersilentalways。
\"Hehasdeeplyinterestedus。Inthecourseofyourintimacyhemusthavemadeyoufeelwhatwenowfeelforhim。Heisseekingahouseclosetous——\"
Ah！heisnotcloseenoughyet，itseems——
\"andifhesucceedsweshallhaveanadditionalmotivetoinduceyoutocomeamongusinthesummer。\"
Thereaderwouldpuzzlealongtimeandnotguessthebiographer’scommentupontheaboveletter。Itisthis：
\"Thesesoundlikewordsofsconsiderateandjudiciousfriend。\"
Thatiswhathethinks。Thatis，itiswhathethinkshethinks。No，thatisnotquiteit：itiswhathethinkshecanstupefyaparticularlyandunspeakablydullreaderintothinkingitiswhathethinks。HemakesthatcommentwiththeknowledgethatShelleyisinlovewiththiswoman’sdaughter，andthatitisbecauseofthefascinationsofthesetwothatShelleyhasdesertedhiswife——forthismonth，consideringallthecircumstances，andhisnewpassion，andhisemploymentofthetime，amountedtodesertion；thatisitsrightfulname。Wecannotknowhowthewiferegardeditandfeltaboutit；butifshecouldhavereadtheletterwhichShelleywaswritingtoHoggfourorfivedayslater，wecouldguessherthoughtandhowshefelt。Hearhim：……
\"IhavebeenstayingwithMrs。Boinvilleforthelastmonth；
Ihaveescaped，inthesocietyofallthatphilosophyandfriendshipcombine，fromthedismayingsolitudeofmyself。\"
Itisfairtoconjecturethathewasfeelingashamed。
\"Theyhaverevivedinmyhearttheexpiringflameoflife。
Ihavefeltmyselftranslatedtoaparadisewhichhasnothingofmortalitybutitstransitoriness；myheartsickensattheviewofthatnecessitywhichwillquicklydividemefromthedelightfultranquillityofthishappyhome——forithasbecomemyhome……
\"Elizaisstillwithus——nothere！——butwillbewithmewhentheinfinitemaliceofdestinyforcesmetodepart。\"
Elizaisshewhoblockedthatgame——thegameinLondon——theonewherewewerepurposingtodineeverynightwithoneofthe\"threecharmingladies\"whofedteaandmannaandlatehourstoHoggatBracknell。
ShelleycouldsendElizaaway，ofcourse；couldhaveclearedheroutlongagoifsominded，justashehadpreviouslydonewithapredecessorofherswhomhehadfirstworshippedandthenturnedagainst；butperhapsshewasusefulthereasathinexcuseforstayingawayhimself。
\"Iamnowbutlittleinclinedtocontestthispoint。
Icertainlyhateherwithallmyheartandsoul……
\"Itisasightwhichawakensaninexpressiblesensationofdisgustandhorror，toseehercaressmypoorlittleIanthe，inwhomImayhereafterfindtheconsolationofsympathy。
Isometimesfeelfaintwiththefatigueofcheckingtheoverflowingsofmyunboundedabhorrenceforthismiserablewretch。Butsheisnomorethanablindandloathsomeworm，thatcannotseetosting。
\"IhavebeguntolearnItalianagain……Corneliaassistsmeinthislanguage。DidInotoncetellyouthatI
thoughthercoldandreserved？Sheisthereverseofthis，assheisthereverseofeverythingbad。Sheinheritsallthedivinityofhermother……IhavesometimesforgottenthatIamnotaninmateofthisdelightfulhome——thatatimewillcomewhichwillcastmeagainintotheboundlessoceanofabhorredsociety。
\"Ihavewrittennothingbutonestanza，whichhasnomeaning，andthatIhaveonlywritteninthought：
\"Thydewylookssinkinmybreast；
Thygentlewordsstirpoisonthere；
ThouhastdisturbedtheonlyrestThatwastheportionofdespair。
Subduedtoduty’shardcontrol，Icouldhavebornemywaywardlot：
ThechainsthatbindthisrainedsoulHadcankeredthen，butcrusheditnot。
\"Thisisthevisionofadeliriousanddistempereddream，whichpassesawayatthecoldclearlightofmorning。Itssurpassingexcellenceandexquisiteperfectionshavenomorerealitythanthecolorofanautumnalsunset。\"
Thenitdidnotrefertohiswife。Thatisplain；otherwisehewouldhavesaidso。Itiswellthatheexplainedthatithasnomeaning，forifhehadnotdonethat，theprevioussoftreferencestoCorneliaandthewayhehascometofeelabouthernowwouldmakeusthinkshewasthepersonwhohadinspireditwhileteachinghimhowtoreadthewarmandruddyItalianpoetsduringamonth。
Thebiographyobservesthatportionsofthisletter\"readlikethetiredmoaningofawoundedcreature。\"Guessesatthenatureofthewoundarepermissible；wewillhazardone。
ReadbythelightofShelley’sprevioushistory，hisletterseemstobethecryofatorturedconscience。Untilthistimeitwasaconsciencethathadneverfeltapangorknownasmirch。Itwastheconscienceofonewho，untilthistime，hadneverdoneadishonorablething，oranungenerous，orcruel，ortreacherousthing，butwasnowdoingallofthese，andwaskeenlyawareofit。UptothistimeShelleyhadbeenmasterofhisnature，anditwasanaturewhichwasasbeautifulandasnearlyperfectasanymerelyhumannaturemaybe。Buthewasdrunknow，withadebasingpassion，andwasnothimself。ThereisnothinginhisprevioushistorythatisincharacterwiththeShelleyofthisletter。
Hehaddoneboyishthings，foolishthings，evencrazythings，butneverathingtobeashamedof。Hehaddonethingswhichonemightlaughat，buttheprivilegeoflaughingwaslimitedalwaystothethingitself；
youcouldnotlaughatthemotivebackofit——thatwashigh，thatwasnoble。Hismostfantasticandquixoticactshadapurposebackofthemwhichmadethemfine，oftengreat，andmadetherisinglaughseemprofanationandquenchedit；quenchedit，andchangedtheimpulsetohomage。
Uptothistimehehadbeenloyaltyitself，wherehisobligationslay——
treacherywasnewtohim；hehadneverdoneanignoblething——basenesswasnewtohim；hehadneverdoneanunkindthingthatalsowasnewtohim。
Thiswastheauthorofthatletter，thiswasthemanwhohaddesertedhisyoungwifeandwaslamenting，becausehemustleaveanotherwoman’shousewhichhadbecomea\"home\"tohim，andgoaway。Ishelamentingmainlybecausehemustgobacktohiswifeandchild？No，thelamentismainlyforwhatheistoleavebehindhim。Thephysicalcomfortsofthehouse？
No，inhislifehehadneverattachedimportancetosuchthings。Thenthethingwhichhegrievestoleaveisnarroweddowntoaperson——tothepersonwhose\"dewylooks\"hadsunkintohisbreast，andwhoseseducingwordshad\"stirredpoisonthere。\"
Hewasashamedofhimself，hisconsciencewasupbraidinghim。Hewastheslaveofadegradinglove；hewasdrunkwithhispassion，therealShelleywasintemporaryeclipse。Thisistheverdictwhichhisprevioushistorymustcertainlydeliveruponthisepisode，Ithink。
Onemustbeallowedtoassisthimselfwithconjectureslikethesewhentryingtofindhiswaythroughaliteraryswampwhichhassomanymisleadingfinger-boardsupasthisbookisfurnishedwith。
Wehavenowarrivedatapartoftheswampwherethedifficultiesandperplexitiesaregoingtobegreaterthananywehaveyetmetwith——
where，indeed，thefinger-boardsaremultitudinous，andthemostofthempointingdiligentlyinthewrongdirection。WearetobetoldbythebiographywhyShelleydesertedhiswifeandchildandtookupwithCorneliaTurnerandItalian。ItwasnotonaccountofCornelia’ssighsandsentimentalitiesandteaandmannaandlatehoursandsoftandsweetandindustriousenticements；no，itwasbecause\"hishappinessinhishomehadbeenwoundedandbruisedalmosttodeath。\"
Ithadbeenwoundedandbruisedalmosttodeathinthisway：
1st。Harrietpersuadedhimtosetupacarriage。
2d。Aftertheintrusionofthebaby，Harrietstoppedreadingaloudandstudying。
3d。Harriet’swalkswithHogg\"commonlyconductedustosomefashionablebonnet-shop。\"
4th。Harriethiredawet-nurse。
5th。Whenanoperationwasbeingperformeduponthebaby，\"Harrietstoodby，narrowlyobservingallthatwasdone，but，totheastonishmentoftheoperator，betrayingnotthesmallestsignofemotion。\"
6th。ElizaWestbrook，sister-in-law，wasstillofthehousehold。
TheevidenceagainstHarrietShelleyisallin；thereisnomore。UponthesesixcountsshestandsindictedofthecrimeofdrivingherhusbandintothatstyatBracknell；andthiscrime，bythesehelps，thebiographicalprosecutingattorneyhassethimselfthetaskofprovinguponher。
Doesthebiographercallhimselftheattorneyfortheprosecution？
No，onlytohimself，privately；publiclyheisthepassionless，disinterested，impartialjudgeonthebench。Heholdsuphisjudicialscalesbeforetheworld，thatallmaysee；anditalltriestolooksofairthatablindpersonwouldsometimesfailtoseehimslipthefalseweightsin。
Shelley’shappinessinhishomehadbeenwoundedandbruisedalmosttodeath，first，becauseHarriethadpersuadedhimtosetupacarriage。
Icannotdiscoverthatanyevidenceisofferedthatsheaskedhimtosetupacarriage。Still，ifshedid，wasitaheavyoffence？Wasitunique？Otheryoungwiveshadcommitteditbefore，othershavecommitteditsince。ShelleyhaddearlylovedherinthoseLondondays；possiblyhesetupthecarriagegladlytopleaseher；affectionateyounghusbandsdosuchthings。WhenShelleyranawaywithanothergirl，by-and-by，thisgirlpersuadedhimtopourthepriceofmanycarriagesandmanyhorsesdownthebottomlesswellofherfather’sdebts，butthisimpartialjudgefindsnofaultwiththat。OncesheappealstoShelleytoraisemoney——
necessarilybyborrowing，therewasnootherway——topayherfather’sdebtswithatatimewhenShelleywasindangerofbeingarrestedandimprisonedforhisowndebts；yetthegoodjudgefindsnofaultwithherevenforthis。
Firstandlast，Shelleyemptiedintothatrapaciousmendicant’slapasumwhichcosthim——forheborroweditatruinousrates——fromeightytoonehundredthousanddollars。ButitwasMaryGodwin’spapa，thesupplicationswereoftensentthroughMary，thegoodjudgeisMary’sstrenuousfriend，soMarygetsnocensures。OntheContinentMaryrodeinherprivatecarriage，built，asShelleyboasts，\"byoneofthebestmakersinBondStreet，\"yetthegoodjudgemakesnotevenapassingcommentonthisiniquity。LetusthrowoutCountNo。1againstHarrietShelleyasbeingfar-fetched，andfrivolous。
Shelley’shappinessinhishomehadbeenwoundedandbruisedalmosttodeath，secondly，becauseHarriet’sstudies\"haddwindledawaytonothing，Bysshehadceasedtoexpressanyinterestinthem。\"Atwhattimewasthis？ItwaswhenHarriet\"hadfullyrecoveredfromthefatigueofherfirsteffortofmaternity，……andwasnowinfullforce，vigor，andeffect。\"Verywell，thebabywasborntwodaysbeforethecloseofJune。