The to him quite unanswerable. If an answer | morning, Shelley and his friend proceeded was returned, Shelley would, in a fierce re- to London. ply, fall on the poor disputant unmercifully. This account, which we have abridged Shelley loved truth, but he loved disputa- from Mr. Hogg's own narrative, cannot tion for its own sake; and it is hard to state be otherwise than substantially accurate, the above facts so as to leave him wholly though, being written twenty years after free from the charge of disingeniousness. the events, it may contain some unimporThis syllabus was entitled "The Necessity tant mistakes. Mr. De Quincey gives a of Atheism." different account of the matter; and the Hogg went to Shelley's rooms" on Lady-two can only be reconciled by the improday, 1811, a fine spring morning," at an bable supposition of his being expelled not earlier hour than was his custom Shelley alone from his own College, but also from was absent, but soon rushed into the rooms. the University of Oxford, and by a proceedHe was greatly agitated;--“I am ex-ing entirely distinct from that which we pelled!" he said; I was sent for a few have described. De Quincey says, "I beminutes ago to the Common Room; there I lieve, from the uniformity of such accounts found our Master and two or three of the as have reached myself, the following brief Fellows. The Master produced a copy of of the matter may be relied on ;" and he the syllabus, and asked me if I were the then proceeds with a narrative which we author."-Shelley refused to answer. The shall seek to sum up in a sentence. "Shelquestion was repeated. Shelley insisted on ley," he says (but in this he certainly the unfairness of such interrogation, and mistakes), "put his name, and the name asked to have witnesses produced, to prove of his College, to the pamphlet. any charge against him. The question Heads of Colleges felt a disagreeable sumwas repeated; and an answer again re- mons to an extra meeting. There are in fused. The Master then said, "You are Oxford five-and-twenty Colleges, to say expelled; and I desire that you will quit nothing of Halls. They met-the greater the College early to-morrow morning, at part were for mercy. The pamphlet was latest."" One of the Fellows," added not addressed to them. They were not Shelley, "took up two papers, and handed bound officially to have any knowledge of one of them to me-here it is." He pro- it; and they determined not to proceed at duced a regular sentence of expulsion, all in the matter. Shelley, on this, deterdrawn up and under the Seal of the Col- mined to force the matter on them, and lege. The indignation and compassion of sent his pamphlet with five-and-twenty sea friend of Shelley's (we presume Mr. parate letters to the five-and-twenty Heads Hogg himself) were excited by what he of the Oxford hydra. The many-headed felt to be a dreadful injustice. He wrote a monster waxed wroth, and the philosopher note to the Master and Fellows, asking was expelled." The sentence was, accordthem to reconsider their decision. He was ing to this account, extorted from very reinstantly summoned to attend the Board, luctant judges by Shelley's own act. which was still sitting. The Master pro- In whatever way the proceeding took duced the note which had been just sent: place, we think it was scarcely possible to "Did you write this?" And then putting avoid some public notice and censure of the syllabus into the hand of the astonished such a work as this syllabus is stated to advocate--" Did you write this?" It was have been. Mr. Medwin tells us that it is in vain urged that the question was an un-preserved in the notes to Queen Mab; but fair one-that it was one which, after Shelley's case, no gentleman in the College or in the University but must refuse to answer. "Then," said the Master, "you are expelled," and a formal sentence of expulsion was put into his hand. This must have been antecedently prepared, and Shelley's advocate must have been regarded as an accomplice in his crime before he sent his note to the Master. He looked over the sentence, and found that the alleged offence was a contumacious refusal to disavow the imputed publication. On the following we have not ourselves read it. The College authorities-for we think it probable that there is some mistake in the fact of there having been any University proceedingsmight perhaps, considering Shelley's extreme youth, have been satisfied with a less severe course; and, under any circumstances, the fact of having the formal sentence of expulsion engrossed and sealed before the accused was given any opportunity of repelling the charge--though we have no doubt of the perfect legality of the pro ceedings, the relation of students to the governing authorities of a College being considered-was one of those, which, like all the forms of procedure regulated by ecclesiastical law, seems more calculated to silence than to convince the culprit. neighbourhood, the Duke of Norfolk having expressed some interest about them. Among others, the Southeys did what they could to render the place agreeable, and a friendship with Southey seemed to be almost the certain consequence of the intercourse that then existed between the families. The We think it is not improbable, from Shelley's character, that gentleness and We sympathy would have been likely to have grieve to think on the worthless causes that dispelled much that was erroneous in his in after life disturbed the feeling. Shelley views, and, at all events, would at once too lightly believed that the reviews of his have conquered whatever proceeded from own and Keats' poems in the Quarterly mere obstinacy: for even from his own Review were written by Southey. accounts, there was much of self-will in the solitude in which they both lived increased course which he adopted. As it was, never the echoes of the gossip which brought to did Reformer in the proudest days of the Keswick the nonsense spoken at Geneva, Church retire from a discussion with the and to Geneva the idle whispers of Keswick. champions of Rome in a state of mind more Each believed that the other maligned him, entirely satisfied that victory was on his and there seems to have been nothing like side, than Shelley, when he found himself a foundation for the belief on either side. expelled from his college, and regarded as As to the reviewals, Southey had nothing an alien by all his father's house. He was to say to them. This is, perhaps, the most a martyr, or burning for the crown of mar- annoying circumstance connected with tyrdom, and the truths which Oxford was periodical literature, that mistakes as to unwilling or unworthy to hear, he was pre- the authorship of articles in periodical pared, as he best could, to communicate to publications have been often the cause of other recipients. He wrote, it is said, to life-long jealousies and dislikes. Shelley Rowland Hill, offering to preach in his remained, however, at the lakes of Cumchapel. berland for too short a time to form any intiShelley's expulsion from Oxford is said macies there. The place was far from cheap; to have spoiled a dream of true love for and Shelley, in a letter dated November, some fair cousin, who would hear no more 1811, says, that after paying some debts, he of him, and who afterwards married some- had to expend nearly his last guinea on a visit body else. Was it revenge for his slight set to the Duke of Norfolk, through whom Shelley a marrying? or did he marry, as some negotiation with his father was going they say in Ireland, to displease his father, on. Shelley left Keswick for Ireland. He thinking that they are thus suggesting a sailed for Cork, and after visiting the Lakes reasonable motive for a very rash act? The of Killarney-wbich, says Medwin, he elder Shelleys seem to have had but an in- thought more beautiful than those of Switdifferent taste in schools for either sons or zerland or Italy-went to Dublin. While daughters. A sister of Shelley's was at in Dublin he attended some political meetschool in the neighbourhood of London, and ings, at which he spoke. Medwin says, Shelley, while walking with her in the gar-"He displayed great eloquence, for which den of the seminary, was attracted by a fair he was remarkable." We have conversed face of sixteen. The Shelleys, had they with an Irish gentleman-himself a man of been consulted, would have been little great eloquence, the late Chief Baron pleased with their son's marrying, at the Woulfe-who remembered Shelley's going age of nineteen, a girl very young, and to a meeting of the Catholic Board, and whom he scarcely knew; and there is little making a speech there. Of the details of reason to think, that with all the English the speech, at an interval of more than veneration for rank and family, that the twenty years after it was delivered, our young lady's father would have consented friend remembered nothing. He did, howto the union. However this be, the young ever, remember one strange peculiarity of people do not seem to have asked any manner. The speaker would utter a senquestions. In August, 1811, they were mar-tence; then pause, as if he were taking ried at Gretna-Green. A maternal uncle time to frame another, which was slowly of Shelley's supplied them with some money, enunciated, the whole speech having the and they went thinking it a cheap place effect of unconnected aphorisms. His voice to Keswick. There they were favourably was, as described by Mr. Hogg, a dissonant received by the principal people of the scream. In Dr. Drummond's life of Hamil "Although an Englishman, I feel for Ireland; and I have left the country in which the accident of birth placed me, for the sole purpose of adding my little stock of usefulness to the fund which I hope Ireland possesses, to aid her in the unequal yet sacred combat in which she is engaged. In the course of a few days more I shall print another small pamphlet, which shall be sent to you. I have intentionally vulgarized the language of the enclosed. I have printed 1500 copies, and am now distributing them throughout Dublin." ton Rowan we are told, in language which | what he could for them-at all events to he quotes as Shelley's, that the poet se-distribute them. Inquiry was made at lected Ireland as a theatre the widest and Shelley's lodgings to ascertain the truth of fairest for the operations of the determined the vender's story. He was not at home; friends of religious and political freedom." but when he heard of it he went to return "In pursuance of this design," adds Dr. the visit, and kindly acquaintanceship thus Drummond, "he published a pamphlet, arose. The Shelleys-husband and wifeentitled, An Address to the Irish People,' were then Pythagoreans. Shelley spoke as with an advertisement on the title-page, a man believing in the metempsychosisdeclaring it to be the author's intention to and they did not eat animal food. They awaken in the minds of the Irish poor a seem, however, to have tolerated it; for on knowledge of their real state, summarily one occasion a fowl was murdered for our pointing out the evils of that state, and friend's dinner. Of the first Mrs. Shelley, suggesting rational means of remedy." He the recollection of our friend is faint, but sent Hamilton Rowan some copies of the is of an amiable and unaffected personpamphlet, with a letter, from which we very young and very pleasing and she and quote a few words:Shelley seemed much attached. This affection seems to have preserved a doubtful life for some little while after they left Ireland, for we find a letter dated August, 1812, in which he says-" I am a young man, not of age, and have been married for a year to a woman younger than myself. Love seems inclined to stay in the prison, and my only reason for putting him in chains, whilst convinced of the unholiness of the act, was a knowledge that in the present state of society, if love is not thus villanously treated, In a letter written a month or two after, he she who is most loved will be treated speaks of being engaged in writing a his- worst by a misjudging world." His theotory of Ireland, in conjunction with some retical objections to marriage existed even friend, and says, that "two hundred and before he had contracted that engagement fifty pages of it were printed." Who with his first wife. It had been preached could his friend have been? we think it by him in Queen Mab. He had learned not improbable that it may have been Law- the doctrine, he says, before, but it was less at that time, we believe, an active coufirmed by a work of Sir James Lawrence, member of the Political Associations in entitled "The Empire of the Nairs." Dublin. Captain Medwin quotes from Shelley's Irish pamphlet was not very likely Shelley language which, in 1812, he was to be popular among the Irish. He said to more likely to have taught O'Connell than them that their religion--the Roman to have learned from him. Like the Catholic-had been a bad thing in long "Hereditary Bondsmen," and the First ago times. The Inquisition, he writes, Flower of the Earth, O'Connell made it his " was set up, and in the course of one year own by adoption. "My principles incite thirty thousand people were burnt in Itame to take all the good I can get in poli-ly and Spain, for entertaining different opintics-for ever aspiring to something more. ions from those of the Pope and the priests. I am one of those whom nothing will fully The bigoted monks of France in one night satisfy, but who are ready to be partially satisfied with whatever is practicable." Shelley's pamphlet is before us. win, it seems, searched in vain for a copy. Ours was obtained through an Irish friend of Shelley's, whose acquaintance with the poet originated accidentally. A poor man offered the pamphlet for a few pence-its price, stated on the title-page, was fivepence. On being asked how he got it, he said a parcel of them were given him by a young gentleman, who told him to get massacred 80,000 Protestants. This was done under the authority of the Pope. The Med-vices of the monks and the nuns in their convents were in those times shameful; people thought that they might commit any sin, however monstrous, if they had money enough to prevail on the priests to absolve them." Such was the opening of Shelley's pacific discourse-to a people not likely to admit any of his facts. The Irish are a credulous and yet an unbelieving people. Like better educated people, and in a more advanced state of society, they believe just | England with Ireland has withdrawn the what they like; and it is not to be expect- Protestant aristocracy and gentry from ed that they should give any assent what- their native country, and with them their ever to Shelley's propositions. Your true friends and connexions. Their resources Irishman will not even believe that a mur- are taken from this country, though they der has been committed till some person is are dissipated in another. The very poor executed, and then it is the man who is hang- people are most nefariously oppressed by ed that he regards as murdered. "Some the weight of the burden which the supeteach you that others are heretics, that you rior classes lay upon their shoulders. I am alone are right * Beware, my friends, no less desirous for the reform of these how you trust those who speak in evils (with many others) than for the Cathothis way; they will, I doubt not, attempt lic emancipation." to rescue you from your present miserable He assumes that those whom he addressstate-but they will prepare a worse. It es are agreed with him on the general obwill be out of the frying-pan into the fire.' ject, but that he and they may differ as to Your present oppressors, it is true, will the means of effecting it. "If you are then oppress you no longer, but you will convinced of the truth of your cause, trust feel the lash of a master a thousand times wholly to its truth; if you are not conmore bloodthirsty and cruel. Evil, de- vinced, give it up: in no case employ viosigning men will spring up who will prelence. 22 He tells them "to think and talk vent you from thinking as you please-will and discuss." "Be free and be happy, but burn you, if you do not think as they do." first be wise and good." He tells them of He then prophesies Catholic Emancipa- the failure of the French Revolution, betion, but tells them to take "great care cause violence was employed by the people. that whilst one tyranny is destroyed ano-"The cause which they vindicated was that ther more fierce and terrible does not spring of truth, but they gave it the appearance up. Take care, then, of smooth-faced im- of a lie." He tells them that "rebellion postors, who talk indeed of freedom, but can never, under any circumstances, be would cheat you into slavery. Can there good for their cause. It will bind you be worse slavery than the depending for more closely to the work of the oppressor, the safety of your soul on the will of another and your children's children, whilst they Oh! Ireland, thou eme- talk of your exploits will feel that you rald of the ocean, whose sons are generous have done them injury instead of benefit.” and brave, whose daughters are honourable, He advises sobriety, diligence in their reand frank, and fair, thou art the isle in spective callings, the education of themwhose green shores I have desired to see selves and their children, the avoidance of the standard of liberty erected-a flag of meeting in mobs :-"Before the restraints fire, a beacon at which the world shall light of government are lessened, it is fit that the torch of freedom!" we should lessen the necessity for them. Before government is done away with, we must reform ourselves." "In order to benefit yourselves and your country to any extent, habits of sobriety, regularity, and thought, are previously so necessary, that without these preliminaries all you have done falls to the ground. You have built on sand. Secure a good foundation, and you may erect a fabric to stand for ever as the glory and envy of the world.” man? * * * The question of toleration is then discussed. Belief he regards as involuntary: "We cannot believe just what we like, but only what we think to be true;" "It is not a merit to tolerate, but it is a crime to be intolerant;""An Act passed in the British Parliament to take away the rights of Catholics to act in that assembly does not really take them away: it prevents them from doing it by force;" "Oh, Irishmen, I am interested in your cause, and it is not be- In his pamphlet, a distinct plan is procause you are Irishmen or Roman Catholics posed to aid in carrying out the projects of that I feel with you or feel for you-but be- Emancipation and the Repeal of the cause you are men and sufferers. Were Ire- Union. That these and all other desirable land at this moment peopled by Brahmins, changes are to arise as the natural consethis very same address would have been sug-quences of the cultivation of wisdom and gested by the very same state of mind. You virtue in each family of the nation, he ashave suffered not merely for your religion, sumes and imagines that he proves. The but some other causes which I am equally pamphlet, he tells us, was written in Engdesirous of remedying. The union of land before his visit to Ireland, but he adds in a postscript the amusing information that "he has now been a week in Dublin,”that he has made himself acquainted with the state of the public mind, and is prepared to recommend "an Association for the purpose of restoring Ireland to the prosperity which she possessed before the Union;" and he promises another pamphlet, in which he shall reveal the plan and structure of the proposed Association. Whether he printed that pamphlet we have not been able to learn. It does not take long to learn all about Ireland! Shelley-a boy of nineteen-learned all about it in a week! Mr. Nicholls, when devising a system of Poor-laws, destined to vary all the relations of property in that country, was able to accomplish his inquiry and prepare his Report in about six ! such an incident would have been too pro- "Sinewy and strong of limb, Mohareb was Time had not yet matured young Thalaba;— We think it certain that the confused recollection of this, or some such passage, and of some frightful scene enacted in the country which he had just left, at a time when he was living in strange solitude, oppressed his imagination. He was at this time, be it remembered, at war with his family and with society-and this is a state of existence in which a man is likely enough to fancy society at war with him, and to fall into that first stage of madness, which dreams of conspiracies, and mixes up actual events with unrealities. We state this, because we think, if it does not actually solve, it yet aids in the solution of some of the problems which Shelley's life suggests. Shelley left Dublin for the Isle of Manand after some time we find him seeking to take a place in Radnorshire. He afterwards rented a cottage in Caernarvonshire, from a gentleman whom Medwin knew intimately, and with whom long afterwards he had many conversations about a strange incident in Shelley's life while in Wales: Shelley stated that at midnight, while in his study on the ground floor, he heard a noise at the windows, saw one of the shutters gradually unclosed, and a head advanced into the room armed with a pistol. The muzzle was directed towards him, the aim taken, the weapon cocked, and the trigger drawn. The pistol snapped fire, Shelley rushed out to seize the assassin, and soon found himself face to face with the ruffian, who again His first marriage was unhappy-it could raised his pistol, and it again snapped fire. scarce have been otherwise, though the Shelley seized his opponent, whom he de- recollections of those who have met the scribed as a short, stout, strong man. first Mrs. Shelley are exceedingly favourable "Shelley, though slightly built, was tall, to her. Shelley had neither house nor home, and though incapable of supporting much and a woman's heart is in her home. fatigue, had the faculty at certain moments A boy of nineteen-disowned by his family of evoking extraordinary powers, and con--often without a shilling-flying from one centrating all his energies to a given point. spot to another-sometimes because of debt This singular phenomenon, which has been-sometimes because regarded by the ponoticed in others, he displayed on this occa- lice as mixed up with political objects of sion, and it made the aggressor and Shelley no unequal match." After long wrestling his antagonist extricated himself from his grasp, and disappeared. Shelley the next day made a deposition of these facts before & magistrate. We cannot but think that the conclusion to which it would appear that Captain Medwin and his friend, when conversing on the incident, came, must have been the true one, and that the whole scene was the coinage of the poet's own fevered brain. He had come from Ireland, where doubtful legality-can it be surprising that there was little opportunity for the feeling which he mistook for love, to ripen into anything of real affection? If there be one impulse stronger than another in a woman's mind, it is that which seeks in a higher nature than her own, an object in which her thoughts may find all repose. What happiness could be anticipated when this hope was torn from her on earth by Shelley's indifference or alienation, and when it is probable that the refuge which |