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。