SEPTEMBER 1814-MAY 1816
Whatever may have been Godwin's degree of responsibility for the opinions
which had enabled Shelley to elope in all good faith with his daughter,
and which saved her from serious scruple in eloping with Shelley, it would
be impossible not to sympathise with the father's feelings after the
event.
People do not resent those misfortunes least which they have helped to
bring on themselves, and no one ever derived less consolation from his own
theories than did Godwin from his, as soon as they were unpleasantly put
into practice. He had done little to win his daughter's confidence, but he
was keenly wounded by the proof she had given of its absence. His pride,
as well as his affection, had suffered a serious blow through her
departure and that of Jane. For a philosopher like him, accustomed to be
looked up to and consulted on matters of education, such a failure in his
own family was a public stigma. False and malicious reports got about,
which had an additional and peculiar sting from their originating partly
in his well-known impecuniosity. It was currently rumoured that he had
sold the two girls to Shelley for L800 and L700 respectively. No wonder
that Godwin, accustomed to look down from a lofty altitude on such minor
matters as money and indebtedness, felt now that he could not hold up his
head. He shunned his old friends, and they, for the most part, felt this
and avoided him. His home was embittered and spoilt. Mrs. Godwin, incensed
at Jane's conduct, vented her wrath in abuse and invective on Shelley and
Mary.
No one has thought it worth while to record how poor Fanny was affected by
the first news of the family calamity. It must have reached her in
Ireland, and her subsequent return home was dismal indeed. The loss of her
only sister was a bitter grief to her; and, strong as was her disapproval
of that sister's conduct, it must have given her a pang to feel that the
culpable Jane had enjoyed Shelley's and Mary's confidence, while she who
loved them with a really unselfish love, had been excluded from it. What
could she now say or do to cheer Godwin? How parry Mrs. Godwin's
inconsiderate and intemperate complaints and innuendos? No doubt Fanny had
often stood up for Mary with her stepmother, and now Mary herself had cut
the ground from under her feet.
Charles Clairmont was at home again; ostensibly on the plea of helping in
the publishing business, but as a fact idling about, on the lookout for
some lucky opening. He cared no more than did Jane for the family
(including his own mother) in Skinner Street: like every Clairmont, he
was an adventurer, and promptly transferred his sympathies to any point
which suited himself. To crown all, William, the youngest son, had become
infected with the spirit of revolt, and had, as Godwin expresses it,
"eloped for two nights," giving his family no little anxiety.
The first and immediate result of Shelley's letter to Godwin was _a visit
to his windows_ by Mrs. Godwin and Fanny, who tried in this way to get a
surreptitious peep at the three truants. Shelley went out to them, but
they would not speak to him. Late that evening, however, Charles Clairmont
appeared. He was to be another thorn in the side of the interdicted yet
indispensable Shelley. He did not mind having a foot in each camp, and had
no scruples about coming as often and staying as long as he liked, or in
retailing a large amount of gossip. They discussed William's escapade, and
the various plans for the immuring of Jane, if she could be caught. This
did not predispose Jane to listen to the overtures subsequently made to
her from time to time by her relatives.
Godwin replied to Shelley's letter, but declined all further communication
with him except through a solicitor. Mrs. Godwin's spirit of rancour was
such that, several weeks later, she, on one occasion, forbade Fanny to
come down to dinner because she had received a lock of Mary's hair,
probably conveyed to her by Charles Clairmont, who, in return, did not
fail to inform Mary of the whole story. In spite, however, of this
vehement show of animosity, Shelley was kept through one channel or
another only too well informed of Godwin's affairs. Indeed, he was never
suffered to forget them for long at a time. No sign of impatience or
resentment ever appears in his journal or letters. Not only was Godwin the
father of his beloved, but he was still, to Shelley, the fountain-head of
wisdom, philosophy, and inspiration. Mary, too, was devoted to her father,
and never wavered in her conviction that his inimical attitude proceeded
from no impulse of his own mind, but that he was upheld in it by the
influence and interference of Mrs. Godwin.
The journal of Shelley and Mary for the next few months is, in its extreme
simplicity, a curious record of a most uncomfortable time; a medley of
lodgings, lawyers, money-lenders, bailiffs, wild schemes, and literary
pursuits. Penniless themselves, they were yet responsible for hundreds and
thousands of pounds of other people's debts; there was Harriet running up
bills at shops and hotels and sending her creditors on to Shelley; Godwin
perpetually threatened with bankruptcy, refusing to see the man who had
robbed him of his daughter, yet with literally no other hope of support
but his help; Jane Clairmont now, as for years to come, entirely dependent
on them for everything; Shelley's friends quartering themselves on him all
day and every day, often taking advantage of his love of society and
intellectual friction, of Mary's youth and inexperience and compliant
good-nature, to live at his expense, and, in one case at least, to obtain
from him money which he really had not got, and could only borrow, at
ruinous interest, on his expectations. He had frequently to be in hiding
from bailiffs, change his lodgings, sleep at friends' houses or at
different hotels, getting his letters when he could make a stealthy
appointment to meet Mary, perhaps at St. Paul's, perhaps at some street
corner or outside some coffee-house,--anywhere where he might escape
observation. He was not always certain how far he could rely on those whom
he had considered his friends, such as the brothers Hookham. Rightly or
wrongly, he was led to imagine that Harriet, from motives of revenge, was
bent on ruining Godwin, and that for this purpose she would aid and abet
in his own arrest, by persuading the Hookhams in such a case to refuse
bail. The rumour of this conspiracy was conveyed to the Shelleys in a note
from Fanny, who, for Godwin's sake and theirs, broke through the stern
embargo laid on all communication.
Yet through all these troubles and bewilderments there went on a perpetual
under-current of reading and study, thought and discussion. The actual
existence was there, and all these external accidents of circumstance, the
realities in ordinary lives were, in these extraordinary lives, treated
really as accidents, as passing hindrances to serious purpose, and no
more.
Nothing but Mary's true love for Shelley and perfect happiness with him
could have tided her over this time. Youth, however, was a wonderful
helper, added to the unusual intellectual vigour and vivacity which made
it possible for her, as it would be to few girls of seventeen, to forget
the daily worries of life in reading and study. Perhaps at no time was the
even balance of her nature more clearly manifested than now, when, after
living through a romance that will last in story as long as the name of
Shelley, her existence revolutionised, her sensibilities preternaturally
stimulated, having taken, as it were, a life's experiences by cumulation
in a few months; weak and depressed in health, too, she still had
sufficient energy and self-control to apply herself to a solid course of
intellectual training.
Jane's presence added to their unsettlement, although at times it may have
afforded them some amusement. Wilful, fanciful, with a sense of humour and
many good impulses, but with that decided dash of charlatanism which
characterised the Clairmonts, and little true sensibility, she was a
willing disciple for any wild flights of fancy, and a keen participator in
all impossible projects and harum-scarum makeshifts. Her presence
stimulated and enlivened Shelley, her whims and fancies did not seriously
affect, beyond amusing him, and she was an indefatigable companion for him
in his walks and wanderings, now that Mary was becoming less and less able
to go about. To Mary, however, she must often have been an incubus, a
perpetual _third_, and one who, if sometimes useful, often gave a great
deal of trouble too. She did not bring to Mary, as she did to Shelley, the
charm of novelty; nor does the unfolding of one girl's character present
to another girl whose character is also in process of development such
attractive problems as it does to a young and speculative man. Mary was
too noble by nature and too perfectly in accord with Shelley to indulge in
actual jealousy of Jane's companionship with him; still, she must often
have had a weary time when those two were scouring the town on their
multifarious errands; misunderstandings, also, would occur, only to be
removed by long and patient explanation. Jane (or "Clara," as about this
time she elected to call herself, in preference to her own less romantic
name) was hardly more than a child, and in some respects a very childish
child. Excitable and nervous, she had no idea of putting constraint upon
herself for others' sake, and gave her neighbours very little rest, as she
preferred any amount of scenes to humdrum quiet. She and Shelley would sit
up half the night, amusing themselves with wild speculations, natural and
supernatural, till she would go off into hysterics or trances, or, when
she had at last gone to bed, would walk in her sleep, see phantoms, and
frighten them all with her terrors. In the end she was invariably brought
to poor Mary, who, delicate in health, had gone early to rest, but had to
bestir herself to bring Jane to reason, and to "console her with her
all-powerful benevolence," as Shelley describes it.
Every page of the journal testifies to the extreme youth of the writers;
likely and unlikely events are chronicled with equal simplicity. Where all
is new, one thing is not more startling than another; and the commonplaces
of everyday life may afford more occasion for surprise than the strangest
anomalies. Specimens only of the diary can be given here, and they are
best given without comment.
_Sunday, September 18._--Mary receives her first lesson in Greek. She
reads the _Curse of Kehama_, while Shelley walks out with Peacock, who
dines. Shelley walks part of the way home with him. Curious account of
Harriet. We talk, study a little Greek, and go to bed.
_Tuesday, September 20._--Shelley writes to Hookham and Tavernier;
goes with Hookham to Ballachy's. Mary reads _Political Justice_ all
the morning. Study Greek. In the evening Shelley reads _Thalaba_
aloud.
_Monday, September 26._--Shelley goes with Peacock to Ballachy's, and
engages lodgings at Pancras. Visit from Mrs. Pringer. Read _Political
Justice_ and the _Empire of the Nairs_.
_Tuesday, September 21._--Read _Political Justice_; finish the
_Nairs_; pack up and go to our lodgings in Somers Town.
_Friday, September 30._--After breakfast walk to Hampstead Heath.
Discuss the possibility of converting and liberating two heiresses;
arrange a plan on the subject.... Peacock calls; talk with him
concerning the heiresses and Marian, arrange his marriage.
_Sunday, October 2._--Peacock comes after breakfast; walk over
Primrose Hill; sail little boats; return a little before four; talk.
Read _Political Justice_ in the evening; talk.
_Monday, October 3._--Read _Political Justice_. Hookham calls. Walk
with Peacock to the Lake of Nangis and set off little fire-boats.
After dinner talk and let off fireworks. Talk of the west of Ireland
plan.
_Wednesday, October 5._--Peacock at breakfast. Walk to the Lake of
Nangis and sail fire-boats. Read _Political Justice_. Shelley reads
the _Ancient Mariner_ aloud. Letter from Harriet, very civil. L400 for
L2400.
_Friday, October 7_ (Shelley).--Read _Political Justice_. Peacock
calls. Jane, for some reason, refuses to walk. We traverse the fields
towards Hampstead. Under an expansive oak lies a dead calf; the cow,
lean from grief, is watching it. (Contemplate subject for poem.) The
sunset is beautiful. Return at 9. Peacock departs. Mary goes to bed at
half-past 8; Shelley sits up with Jane. Talk of oppression and reform,
of cutting squares of skin from the soldiers' backs. Jane states her
conception of the subterranean community of women. Talk of Hogg,
Harriet, Miss Hitchener, etc. At 1 o'clock Shelley observes that it is
the witching time of night; he inquires soon after if it is not
horrible to feel the silence of night tingling in our ears; in half an
hour the question is repeated in a different form; at 2 they retire
awestruck and hardly daring to breathe. Shelley says to Jane,
"Good-night;" his hand is leaning on the table; he is conscious of an
expression in his countenance which he cannot repress. Jane hesitates.
"Good-night" again. She still hesitates.
"Did you ever read the tragedy of _Orra_?" said Shelley.
"Yes. How horribly you look!--take your eyes off."
"Good-night" again, and Jane runs to her room. Shelley, unable to
sleep, kissed Mary, and prepared to sit beside her and read till
morning, when rapid footsteps descended the stairs. Jane was there;
her countenance was distorted most unnaturally by horrible dismay--it
beamed with a whiteness that seemed almost like light; her lips and
cheeks were of one deadly hue; the skin of her face and forehead was
drawn into innumerable wrinkles--the lineaments of terror that could
not be contained; her hair came prominent and erect; her eyes were
wide and staring, drawn almost from the sockets by the convulsion of
the muscles; the eyelids were forced in, and the eyeballs, without any
relief, seemed as if they had been newly inserted, in ghastly sport,
in the sockets of a lifeless head. This frightful spectacle endured
but for a few moments--it was displaced by terror and confusion,
violent indeed, and full of dismay, but human. She asked me if I had
touched her pillow (her tone was that of dreadful alarm). I said, "No,
no! if you will come into the room I will tell you." I informed her
of Mary's pregnancy; this seemed to check her violence. She told me
that a pillow placed upon her bed had been removed, in the moment that
she turned her eyes away to a chair at some distance, and evidently by
no human power. She was positive as to the facts of her
self-possession and calmness. Her manner convinced me that she was not
deceived. We continued to sit by the fire, at intervals engaging in
awful conversation relative to the nature of these mysteries. I read
part of _Alexy_; I repeated one of my own poems. Our conversation,
though intentionally directed to other topics, irresistibly recurred
to these. Our candles burned low; we feared they would not last until
daylight. Just as the dawn was struggling with moonlight, Jane
remarked in me that unutterable expression which had affected her with
so much horror before; she described it as expressing a mixture of
deep sadness and conscious power over her. I covered my face with my
hands, and spoke to her in the most studied gentleness. It was
ineffectual; her horror and agony increased even to the most dreadful
convulsions. She shrieked and writhed on the floor. I ran to Mary; I
communicated in few words the state of Jane. I brought her to Mary.
The convulsions gradually ceased, and she slept. At daybreak we
examined her apartment and found her pillow on the chair.
_Saturday, October 8_ (Mary).--Read _Political Justice_. We walked
out; when we return Shelley talks with Jane, and I read _Wrongs of
Women_. In the evening we talk and read.
_Tuesday, October 11._--Read _Political Justice_. Shelley goes to the
Westminster Insurance Office. Study Greek. Peacock dines. Receive a
refusal about the money....
Have a good-humoured letter from Harriet, and a cold and even
sarcastic one from Mrs. Boinville. Shelley reads the _History of the
Illuminati_, out of Barruel, to us.
_Wednesday, October 12._--Read _Political Justice_. A letter from
Marshall; Jane goes there. When she comes home we go to Cheapside;
returning, an occurrence. Deliberation until 7; burn the letter; sleep
early.
_Thursday, October 13._--Communicate the burning of the letter. Much
dispute and discussion concerning its probable contents. Alarm.
Determine to quit London; send for L5 from Hookham. Change our
resolution. Go to the play. The extreme depravity and disgusting
nature of the scene; the inefficacy of acting to encourage or maintain
the delusion. The loathsome sight of men personating characters which
do not and cannot belong to them. Shelley displeased with what he saw
of Kean. Return. Alarm. We sleep at the Stratford Hotel.
_Friday, October 14_ (Shelley).--Jane's insensibility and incapacity
for the slightest degree of friendship. The feelings occasioned by
this discovery prevent me from maintaining any measure in security.
This highly incorrect; subversion of the first principles of true
philosophy; characters, particularly those which are unformed, may
change. Beware of weakly giving way to trivial sympathies. Content
yourself with one great affection--with a single mighty hope; let the
rest of mankind be the subjects of your benevolence, your justice,
and, as human beings, of your sensibility; but, as you value many
hours of peace, never suffer more than one even to approach the
hallowed circle. Nothing should shake the truly great spirit which is
not sufficiently mighty to destroy it.
Peacock calls. I take some interest in this man, but no possible
conduct of his would disturb my tranquillity.... Converse with Jane;
her mind unsettled; her character unformed; occasion of hope from some
instances of softness and feeling; she is not entirely insensible to
concessions, new proofs that the most exalted philosophy, the truest
virtue, consists in an habitual contempt of self; a subduing of all
angry feelings; a sacrifice of pride and selfishness. When you attempt
benefit to either an individual or a community, abstain from imputing
it as an error that they despise or overlook your virtue. These are
incidental reflections which arise only indirectly from the
circumstances recorded.
Walk with Peacock to the pond; talk of Marian and Greek metre. Peacock
dines. In the evening read Cicero and the _Paradoxa_. Night comes;
Jane walks in her sleep, and groans horribly; listen for two hours; at
length bring her to Mary. Begin _Julius_, and finish the little volume
of Cicero.
The next morning the chimney board in Jane's room is found to have
walked leisurely into the middle of the room, accompanied by the
pillow, who, being very sleepy, tried to get into bed again, but sat
down on his back.
_Saturday, October 15_ (Mary).--After breakfast read _Political
Justice_. Shelley goes with Peacock to Ballachy's. A disappointment;
it is put off till Monday. They then go to Homerton. Finish _St.
Leon_. Jane writes to Marshall. A letter from my Father. Talking; Jane
and I walk out. Shelley and Peacock return at 6. Shelley advises Jane
not to go. Jane's letter to my Father. A refusal. Talk about going
away, and, as usual, settle nothing.
_Wednesday, October 19._--Finish _Political Justice_, read _Caleb
Williams_. Shelley goes to the city, and meets with a total failure.
Send to Hookham. Shelley reads a part of _Comus_ aloud.
_Thursday, October 20._--Shelley goes to the city. Finish _Caleb
Williams_; read to Jane. Peacock calls; he has called on my father,
who will not speak about Shelley to any one but an attorney. Oh!
philosophy!...
_Saturday, October 22._--Finish the _Life of Alfieri_. Go to the tomb
(Mary Wollstonecraft's), and read the _Essay on Sepulchres_ there.
Shelley is out all the morning at the lawyer's, but nothing is
done....
In the evening a letter from Fanny, warning us of the Hookhams. Jane
and Shelley go after her; they find her, but Fanny runs away.
_Monday, October 24._--Read aloud to Jane. At 11 go out to meet
Shelley. Walk up and down Fleet Street; call at Peacock's; return to
Fleet Street; call again at Peacock's; return to Pancras; remain an
hour or two. People call; I suppose bailiffs. Return to Peacock's.
Call at the coffee-house; see Shelley; he has been to Ballachy's. Good
hopes; to be decided Thursday morning. Return to Peacock's; dine
there; get money. Return home in a coach; go to bed soon, tired to
death.
_Thursday, October 25._--Write to Shelley. Jane goes to Fanny.... Call
at Peacock's; go to the hotel; Shelley not there. Go back to
Peacock's. Peacock goes to Shelley. Meet Shelley in Holborn. Walk up
and down Bartlett's Buildings.... Come with him to Peacock's; talk
with him till 10; return to Pancras without him. Jane in the dumps all
evening about going away.
_Wednesday, October 26._--A visit from Shelley's old friends;[10] they
go away much disappointed and very angry. He has written to T. Hookham
to ask him to be bail. Return to Pancras about 4. Read all the
evening.
_Thursday, October 27._--Write to Fanny all morning. We had received
letters from Skinner Street in the morning. Fanny is very doleful, and
C. C. contradicts in one line what he had said in the line before.
After two go to St. Paul's; meet Shelley; go with him in a coach to
Hookham's; H. is out; return; leave him and proceed to Pancras. He has
not received a definitive answer from Ballachy; meet a money-lender,
of whom I have some hopes. Read aloud to Jane in the evening. Jane
goes to sleep. Write to Shelley. A letter comes enclosing a letter
from Hookham consenting to justify bail. Harriet has been to work
there against my Father.
_Tuesday, November 1._--Learn Greek all morning. Shelley goes to the
'Change. Jane calls.[11] People want their money; won't send up
dinner, and we are all very hungry. Jane goes to Hookham. Shelley and
I talk about her character. Jane returns without money. Writes to
Fanny about coming to see her; she can't come. Writes to Charles. Goes
to Peacock to send him to us with some eatables; he is out. Charles
promises to see her. She returns to Pancras; he goes there, and tells
the dismal state of the Skinner Street affairs. Shelley goes to
Peacock's; comes home with cakes. Wait till T. Hookham sends money to
pay the bill. Shelley returns to Pancras. Have tea, and go to bed.
Shelley goes to Peacock's to sleep.
These are two specimens of the notes constantly passing between them.
MARY TO SHELLEY.
_25th October._
For what a minute did I see you yesterday. Is this the way, my
beloved, we are to live till the 6th? In the morning when I wake I
turn to look on you. Dearest Shelley, you are solitary and
uncomfortable. Why cannot I be with you, to cheer you and press you to
my heart? Ah! my love, you have no friends; why, then, should you be
torn from the only one who has affection for you? But I shall see you
to-night, and this is the hope I shall live on through the day. Be
happy, dear Shelley, and think of me! I know how tenderly you love me,
and how you repine at your absence from me. When shall we be free of
treachery? I send you the letter I told you of from Harriet, and a
letter we received yesterday from Fanny; the history of this interview
I will tell you when I come. I was so dreadfully tired yesterday that
I was obliged to take a coach home. Forgive this extravagance, but I
am so very weak at present, and I had been so agitated through the
day, that I was not able to stand; a morning's rest, however, will set
me quite right again; I shall be well when I meet you this evening.
Will you be at the door of the coffee-house at 5 o'clock, as it is
disagreeable to go into those places. I shall be there exactly at that
time, and we can go into St. Paul's, where we can sit down.
I send you _Diogenes_, as you have no books. Hookham was so
ill-tempered as not to send the book I asked for. So this is the end
of my letter, dearest love.
What do they mean?[12] I detest Mrs. Godwin; she plagues my father
out of his life; and these----Well, no matter. Why will Godwin not
follow the obvious bent of his affections, and be reconciled to us?
No; his prejudices, the world, and _she_--all these forbid it. What am
I to do? trust to time, of course, for what else can I do. Good-night,
my love; to-morrow I will seal this blessing on your lips. Press me,
your own Mary, to your heart. Perhaps she will one day have a father;
till then be everything to me, love; and, indeed, I will be a good
girl, and never vex you. I will learn Greek and----but when shall we
meet when I may tell you all this, and you will so sweetly reward me?
But good-night; I am wofully tired, and so sleepy. One kiss--well,
that is enough--to-morrow!
SHELLEY TO MARY.
_28th October._
MY BELOVED MARY--I know not whether these transient meetings produce
not as much pain as pleasure. What have I said? I do not mean it. I
will not forget the sweet moments when I saw your eyes--the divine
rapture of the few and fleeting kisses. Yet, indeed, this must cease;
indeed, we must not part thus wretchedly to meet amid the comfortless
tumult of business; to part I know not how.
Well, dearest love, to-morrow--to-morrow night. That eternal clock!
Oh! that I could "fright the steeds of lazy-paced Time." I do not
think that I am less impatient now than formerly to repossess--to
entirely engross--my own treasured love. It seems so unworthy a cause
for the slightest separation. I could reconcile it to my own feelings
to go to prison if they would cease to persecute us with
interruptions. Would it not be better, my heavenly love, to creep into
the loathliest cave so that we might be together.
Mary, love, we must be united; I will not part from you again after
Saturday night. We must devise some scheme. I must return. Your
thoughts alone can waken mine to energy; my mind without yours is dead
and cold as the dark midnight river when the moon is down. It seems as
if you alone could shield me from impurity and vice. If I were absent
from you long, I should shudder with horror at myself; my
understanding becomes undisciplined without you. I believe I must
become in Mary's hands what Harriet was in mine. Yet how differently
disposed--how devoted and affectionate--how, beyond measure,
reverencing and adoring--the intelligence that governs me! I repent me
of this simile; it is unjust; it is false. Nor do I mean that I
consider you much my superior, evidently as you surpass me in
originality and simplicity of mind. How divinely sweet a task it is to
imitate each other's excellences, and each moment to become wiser in
this surpassing love, so that, constituting but one being, all real
knowledge may be comprised in the maxim [Greek: gnothi seauton]--(know
thyself)--with infinitely more justice than in its narrow and common
application. I enclose you Hookham's note; what do you think of it? My
head aches; I am not well; I am tired with this comfortless
estrangement from all that is dear to me. My own dearest love,
good-night. I meet you in Staples Inn at twelve to-morrow--half an
hour before twelve. I have written to Hooper and Sir J. Shelley.
_Journal, Thursday, November 3_ (Mary).--Work; write to Shelley; read
Greek grammar. Receive a letter from Mr. Booth; so all my hopes are
over there. Ah! Isabel; I did not think you would act thus. Read and
work in the evening. Receive a letter from Shelley. Write to him.
[Letter not transcribed here.]
_Sunday, November 6._--Talk to Shelley. He writes a great heap of
letters. Read part of _St. Leon_. Talk with him all evening; this is a
day devoted to Love in idleness. Go to sleep early in the evening.
Shelley goes away a little before 10.
_Wednesday, November 9._--Pack up all morning; leave Pancras about 3;
call at Peacock's for Shelley; Charles Clairmont has been for L8. Go
to Nelson Square. Jane gloomy; she is very sullen with Shelley. Well,
never mind, my love--we are happy.
_Thursday, November 10._--Jane is not well, and does not speak the
whole day. We send to Peacock's, but no good news arrives. Lambert has
called there, and says he will write. Read a little of _Petronius_, a
most detestable book. Shelley is out all the morning. In the evening
read Louvet's _Memoirs_--go to bed early. Shelley and Jane sit up till
12, talking; Shelley talks her into a good humour.
_Sunday, November 13._--Write in the morning; very unwell all day.
Fanny sends a letter to Jane to come to Blackfriars Road; Jane cannot
go. Fanny comes here; she will not see me; hear everything she says,
however. They think my letter cold and _indelicate_! God bless them.
Papa tells Fanny if she sees me he will never speak to her again; a
blessed degree of liberty this! He has had a very impertinent letter
from Christy Baxter. The reason she comes is to ask Jane to Skinner
Street to see Mrs. Godwin, who they say is dying. Jane has no clothes.
Fanny goes back to Skinner Street to get some. She returns. Jane goes
with her. Shelley returns (he had been to Hookham's); he disapproves.
Write and read. In the evening talk with my love about a great many
things. We receive a letter from Jane saying she is very happy, and
she does not know when she will return. Turner has called at Skinner
Street; he says it is too far to Nelson Square. I am unwell in the
evening.
_Journal, November 14_ (Shelley).--Mary is unwell. Receive a note from
Hogg; cloth from Clara. I wish this girl had a resolute mind. Without
firmness understanding is impotent, and the truest principles
unintelligible. Charles calls to confer concerning Lambert; walk with
him. Go to 'Change, to Peacock's, to Lambert's; receive L30. In the
evening Hogg calls; perhaps he still may be my friend, in spite of the
radical differences of sympathy between us; he was pleased with Mary;
this was the test by which I had previously determined to judge his
character. We converse on many interesting subjects, and Mary's
illness disappears for a time.
_Thursday, November 15_ (Shelley).--Disgusting dreams have occupied
the night.
(Mary).--Very unwell. Jane calls; converse with her. She goes to
Skinner Street; tells Papa that she will not return; comes back to
Nelson Square with Shelley; calls at Peacock's. Shelley read aloud to
us in the evening out of Adolphus's _Lives_.
_Wednesday, November 16._--Very ill all day. Shelley and Jane out all
day shopping about the town. Shelley reads _Edgar Huntley_ to us.
Shelley and Jane go to Hookham's. Hogg comes in the meantime; he stops
all the evening. Shelley writes his critique till half-past 3.
_Saturday, November 19._--Very ill. Shelley and Jane go out to call at
Mrs. Knapp's; she receives Jane kindly; promises to come and see me. I
go to bed early. Charles Clairmont calls in the evening, but I do not
see him.
_Sunday, November 20._--Still very ill; get up very late. In the
evening Shelley reads aloud out of the _Female Revolutionary
Plutarch_. Hogg comes in the evening.... Get into an argument about
virtue, in which Hogg makes a sad bungle; quite muddled on the point,
I perceive.
_Tuesday, November 29._--Work all day. Heigh ho! Clara and Shelley go
before breakfast to Parker's. After breakfast, Shelley is as badly off
as I am with my work, for he is out all day with those lawyers. In the
evening Shelley and Jane go in search of Charles Clairmont; they
cannot find him. Read _Philip Stanley_--very stupid.
_Tuesday, December 6._--Very unwell. Shelley and Clara walk out, as
usual, to heaps of places. Read _Agathon_, which I do not like so well
as _Peregrine_.... A letter from Hookham, to say that Harriet has been
brought to bed of a son and heir. Shelley writes a number of circular
letters of this event, which ought to be ushered in with ringing of
bells, etc., for it is the son _of his wife_. Hogg comes in the
evening; I like him better, though he vexed me by his attachment to
sporting. A letter from Harriet confirming the news, in a letter from
a _deserted wife_!! and telling us he has been born a week.
_Wednesday, December 7._--Clara and Shelley go out together; Shelley
calls on the lawyers and on Harriet, who treats him with insulting
selfishness; they return home wet and very tired. Read _Agathon_. I
like it less to-day; he discovers many opinions which I think
detestable. Work. In the evening Charles Clairmont comes. Hear that
Place is trying to raise L1200 to pay Hume on Shelley's _post obit_;
affairs very bad in Skinner Street; afraid of a call for the rent; all
very bad. Shelley walks home with Charles Clairmont; goes to Hookham's
about the L100 to lend my Father. Hookham out. He returns; very tired.
Work in the evening.
_Thursday, December 8._--Shelley and Clara go to Hookham's; get the
L90 for my father; they are out, as usual, all morning. Finish
_Agathon_. I do not like it; Wieland displays some most detestable
opinions; he is one of those men who alter all their opinions when
they are about forty, and then think it will be the same with every
one, and that they are themselves the only proper monitors of youth.
Work. When Shelley and Clara return, Shelley goes to Lambert's; out.
Work. In the evening Hogg comes; talk about a great number of things;
he is more sincere this evening than I have seen him before. Odd
dreams.
_Friday, December 16._--Still ill; heigh ho! Finish _Jane Talbot_.
Hume calls at half-past 12; he tells of the great distress in Skinner
Street; I do not see him. Hookham calls; hasty little man; he does not
stay long. In the evening Hogg comes. Shelley and Clara are at first
out; they have been to look for Charles Clairmont; they find him, and
walk with him some time up and down Ely Place. Shelley goes to sleep
early; very tired. We talk about flowers and trees in the evening; a
country conversation.
_Saturday, December 17._--Very ill. Shelley and Clara go to Pike's;
when they return, Shelley goes to walk round the Square. Talk with
Shelley in the evening; he sleeps, and I lie down on the bed. Jane
goes to Pike's at 9. Charles Clairmont comes, and talks about several
things. Mrs. Godwin did not allow Fanny to come down to dinner on her
receiving a lock of my hair. Fanny of course behaves slavishly on the
occasion. He goes at half-past 11.
_Sunday, December 18._--Better, but far from well. Pass a very happy
morning with Shelley. Charles Clairmont comes at dinner-time, the
Skinner Street folk having gone to dine at the Kennie's. Jane and he
take a long walk together. Shelley and I are left alone. Hogg comes
after Clara and her brother return. C. C. flies from the field on his
approach. Conversation as usual. Get worse towards night.
_Monday, December 19_ (Shelley).--Mary rather better this morning.
Jane goes to Hume's about Godwin's bills; learn that Lambert is
inclined, but hesitates. Hear of a woman--supposed to be the daughter
of the Duke of Montrose--who has the head of a hog. _Suetonius_ is
finished, and Shelley begins the _Historia Augustana_. Charles
Clairmont comes in the evening; a discussion concerning female
character. Clara imagines that I treat her unkindly; Mary consoles her
with her all-powerful benevolence. I rise (having already gone to bed)
and speak with Clara; she was very unhappy; I leave her tranquil.
_Tuesday, December 20_ (Mary).--Shelley goes to Pike's; take a short
walk with him first. Unwell. A letter from Harriet, who threatens
Shelley with her lawyer. In the evening read _Emilia Galotti_. Hogg
comes. Converse of various things. He goes at twelve.
_Wednesday, December 21_ (Shelley).--Mary is better. Shelley goes to
Pike's, to the Insurance Offices, and the lawyer's; an agreement
entered into for L3000 for L1000. A letter from Wales, offering _post
obit_. Shelley goes to Hume's; Mary reads Miss Baillie's plays in the
evening. Shelley goes to bed at 8; Mary at 11.
_Saturday, December 24_ (Mary).--Read _View of French Revolution_.
Walk out with Shelley, and spend a dreary morning waiting for him at
Mr. Peacock's. In the evening Hogg comes. I like him better each time;
it is a pity that he is a lawyer; he wasted so much time on that trash
that might be spent on better things.
_Sunday, December 25._--Christmas Day. Have a very bad side-ache in
the morning, so I rise late. Charles Clairmont comes and dines with
us. In the afternoon read Miss Baillie's plays. Hogg spends the
evening with us; conversation, as usual.
_Monday, December 26_ (Shelley).--The sweet Maie asleep; leave a note
with her. Walk with Clara to Pike's, etc. Go to Hampstead and look for
a house; we return in a return-chaise; find that Laurence has arrived,
and consult for Mary; she has read Miss Baillie's plays all day. Mary
better this evening. Shelley very much fatigued; sleeps all the
evening. Read _Candide_.
_Tuesday, December 27_ (Mary).--Not very well; Shelley very unwell.
Read _De Montfort_, and talk with Shelley in the evening. Read _View
of the French Revolution_. Hogg comes in the evening; talk of heaps of
things. Shelley's odd dream.
_Wednesday, December 28._--Shelley and Clara out all the morning. Read
_French Revolution_ in the evening. Shelley and I go to Gray's Inn to
get Hogg; he is not there; go to Arundel Street; can't find him. Go to
Garnerin's. Lecture on electricity; the gases, and the phantasmagoria;
return at half-past 9. Shelley goes to sleep. Read _View of French
Revolution_ till 12; go to bed.
_Friday, December 30._--Shelley and Jane go out as usual. Read Bryan
Edwards's _Account of West Indies_. They do not return till past
seven, having been locked into Kensington Gardens; both very tired.
Hogg spends the evening with us.
_Saturday, December 31_ (Shelley).--The poor Maie was very weak and
tired all day. Shelley goes to Pike's and Humes' and Mrs.
Peacock's;[13] return very tired, and sleeps all the evening. The Maie
goes to sleep early. New Year's Eve.
In January 1815 Shelley's grandfather, Sir Bysshe, died, and his father,
Mr. Timothy Shelley, succeeded to the baronetcy and estate. By an
arrangement with his father, according to which he relinquished all claim
on a certain portion of his patrimony, Shelley now became possessed of
L1000 a year (L200 a year of which he at once set apart for Harriet), as
well as a considerable sum of ready money for the relief of his present
necessities. L200 of this he also sent to Harriet to pay her debts. The
next few entries in the journal were, however, written before this event.
_Thursday, January 5_ (Mary).--Go to breakfast at Hogg's; Shelley
leaves us there and goes to Hume's. When he returns we go to Newman
Street; see the statue of Theoclea; it is a divinity that raises your
mind to all virtue and excellence; I never beheld anything half so
wonderfully beautiful. Return home very ill. Expect Hogg in the
evening, but he does not come. Too ill to read.
_Friday, January 6._--Walk to Mrs. Peacock's with Clara. Walk with
Hogg to Theoclea; she is ten thousand times more beautiful to-day than
ever; tear ourselves away. Return to Nelson Square; no one at home.
Hogg stays a short time with me. Shelley had stayed at home till 2 to
see Ryan;[14] he does not come. Goes out about business. In the
evening Shelley and Clara go to Garnerin's.... Very unwell. Hogg
comes. Shelley and Clara return at ten. Conversation as usual. Shelley
reads "Ode to France" aloud, and repeats the poem to "Tranquillity."
Talk with Shelley afterwards for some time; at length go to sleep.
Shelley goes out and sits in the other room till 5; I then call him.
Talk. Shelley goes to sleep; at 8 Shelley rises and goes out.
The next entry is made during Shelley's short absence in Sussex, after his
grandfather's death. Clara had accompanied him on his journey.
_(Date between January 7 and January 13)._--Letter from Peacock to say
that he is in prison.... His debt is L40.... Write to Peacock and
send him L2. Hogg dines with me and spends the evening; letter from
Hookham.
_Friday, January 13._--A letter from Clara. While I am at breakfast
Shelley and Clara arrive. The will has been opened, and Shelley is
referred to Whitton. His father would not allow him to enter Field
Place; he sits before the door and reads _Comus_. Dr. Blocksome comes
out; tells him that his father is very angry with him. Sees my name in
Milton.... Hogg dines, and spends the evening with us.
_Sunday, January 24._--In the evening Shelley, Clara, and Hogg sleep.
Read Gibbon.... Hogg goes at half-past 11. Shelley and Clara explain
as usual.
_Monday, January 30._--Work all day. Shelley reads Livy. In the
evening Shelley reads _Paradise Regained_ aloud, and then goes to
sleep. Hogg comes at 9. Talk and work. Hogg sleeps here.
_Wednesday, February 1._--Read Gibbon (end of vol. i.) Shelley reads
Livy in the evening. Work. Shelley and Clara sleep. Hogg comes and
sleeps here. Mrs. Hill calls.
_Sunday, February 5._--Read Gibbon. Take a long walk in Kensington
Gardens and the Park; meet Clairmont as we return, and hear that my
father wishes to see a copy of the codicil, because he thinks Shelley
is acting rashly. All this is very odd and inconsistent, but I never
quarrel with inconsistency; folks must change their minds. After
dinner talk. Shelley finishes Gibbon's _Memoirs_ aloud. Clara,
Shelley, and Hogg sleep. Read Gibbon. Shelley writes to Longdill and
Clairmont. Hogg ill, but we cannot persuade him to stay; he goes at
half-past 11.
_Wednesday, February 8._--Ash Wednesday. So Hogg stays all day. We are
to move to-day, so Shelley and Clara go out to look for lodgings. Hogg
and I pack, and then talk. Shelley and Clara do not return till 3;
they have not succeeded; go out again; they get apartments at Hans
Place; move. In the evening talk and read Gibbon. Letters. Pike calls;
insolent plague. Hogg goes at half-past 11.
_Tuesday, February 14_ (Shelley).--Shelley goes to Longdill's and
Hayward's, and returns feverish and fatigued. Maie finishes the third
volume of Gibbon. All unwell in the evening. Hogg comes and puts us to
bed. Hogg goes at half-past 11.
In this month, probably on the 22d (but that page of the diary is torn),
when they had been hardly more than a week in their last new lodgings, a
little girl was born. Although her confinement was premature, Mary had a
favourable time; the infant, a scarcely seven months' child, was not
expected to live; it survived, however, for some days. It might possibly
have been saved, had it had an ordinary chance of life given it, but, on
the ninth day of its existence, the whole family moved yet again to new
lodgings. How the young mother ever recovered from the fatigues, risks,
and worries she had to go through at this critical time may well be
wondered. It is more than probable that the unreasonable demands made on
her strength and courage during this month and those which preceded it
laid the foundation of much weak health later on. The child was
sacrificed. Four days after the move it was found in the morning dead by
its mother's side. The poor little thing was a mere passing episode in
Shelley's troubled, hurried existence. Only to Mary were its birth and
death a deep and permanent experience. Apart from her love for Shelley,
her affections had been chiefly of the intellectual kind, and even in her
relation with him mental affinity had played a great part. A new chord in
her temperament was set vibrating by the advent of this baby, the maternal
one, quite absent from her disposition before, and which was to assert
itself at last as the keynote of her nature.
Hogg, who was almost constantly with them at this time, seems to have been
kind, helpful, and sympathetic.
The baby's birth was too much for Fanny Godwin's endurance and fortitude.
Up to this time she had, in accordance with what she conceived to be her
duty, held aloof from the Shelleys, but, the barrier once broken down, she
came repeatedly to see them. Mrs. Godwin showed that she had a soft spot
in her heart by sending Mary, through Fanny, a present of linen, no doubt
most welcome at this unprepared-for crisis. Beyond this she was
unrelenting. Her pride, however, was not so strong as her feminine
curiosity, which she indulged still by parading before the windows and
trying to get peeps at the people behind them. She was annoyed with Fanny,
who now, however, held her own course, feeling that her duty could not be
all on one side while her family consented to be dependent, and that every
moment of her father's peace and safety were due entirely to this Shelley
whom he would not see.
_Journal, February 22_ (Shelley) (after the baby's birth).--Maie
perfectly well and at ease. The child is not quite seven months; the
child not expected to live. Shelley sits up with Maie, much exhausted
and agitated. Hogg sleeps here.
_Thursday, February 23._--Mary quite well; the child unexpectedly
alive, but still not expected to live. Hogg returns in the evening at
half-past 7. Shelley writes to Fanny requesting her to come and see
Maie. Fanny comes and remains the whole night, the Godwins being
absent from home. Charles comes at 11 with linen from Mrs. Godwin.
Hogg departs at 11. L30 from Longdill.
_Friday, February 24._--Maie still well; favourable symptoms in the
child; we may indulge some hopes. Hogg calls at 2. Fanny departs. Dr.
Clarke calls; confirms our hopes of the child. Shelley finishes second
volume of Livy, p. 657. Hogg comes in the evening. Shelley very unwell
and exhausted.
_Saturday, February 25._--The child very well; Maie very well also;
drawing milk all day. Shelley is very unwell.
_Sunday, February 26_ (Mary).--Maie rises to-day. Hogg comes; talk;
she goes to bed at 6. Hogg calls at the lodgings we have taken. Read
_Corinne_. Shelley and Clara go to sleep. Hogg returns; talk with him
till past 11. He goes. Shelley and Clara go down to tea. Just settling
to sleep when a knock comes to the door; it is Fanny; she came to see
how we were; she stays talking till half-past 3, and then leaves the
room that Shelley and Mary may sleep. Shelley has a spasm.
_Monday, February 27._--Rise; talk and read _Corinne_. Hogg comes in
the evening. Shelley and Clara go out about a cradle....
_Tuesday, February 28._--I come downstairs; talk, nurse the baby, read
_Corinne_, and work. Shelley goes to Pemberton about his health.
_Wednesday, March 1._--Nurse the baby, read _Corinne_, and work.
Shelley and Clara out all morning. In the evening Peacock comes. Talk
about types, editions, and Greek letters all the evening. Hogg comes.
They go away at half-past 11. Bonaparte invades France.
_Thursday, March 2._--A bustle of moving. Read _Corinne_. I and my
baby go about 3. Shelley and Clara do not come till 6. Hogg comes in
the evening.
_Friday, March 3._--Nurse my baby; talk, and read _Corinne_. Hogg
comes in the evening.
_Saturday, March 4._--Read, talk, and nurse. Shelley reads the _Life
of Chaucer_. Hogg comes in the evening and sleeps.
_Sunday, March 5._--Shelley and Clara go to town. Hogg here all day.
Read _Corinne_ and nurse my baby. In the evening talk. Shelley
finishes the _Life of Chaucer_. Hogg goes at 11.
_Monday, March 6._--Find my baby dead. Send for Hogg. Talk. A
miserable day. In the evening read _Fall of the Jesuits_. Hogg sleeps
here.
_Tuesday, March 7._--Shelley and Clara go after breakfast to town.
Write to Fanny. Hogg stays all day with us; talk with him, and read
the _Fall of the Jesuits_ and _Rinaldo Rinaldini_. Not in good
spirits. Hogg goes at 11. A fuss. To bed at 3.
_Wednesday, March 8._--Finish _Rinaldini_. Talk with Shelley. In very
bad spirits, but get better; sleep a little in the day. In the evening
net. Hogg comes; he goes at half-past 11. Clara has written for Fanny,
but she does not come.
_Thursday, March 9._--Read and talk. Still think about my little baby.
'Tis hard, indeed, for a mother to lose a child. Hogg and Charles
Clairmont come in the evening. C. C. goes at 11. Hogg stays all night.
Read Fontenelle, _Plurality of Worlds_.
_Friday, March 10._--Hogg's holidays begin. Shelley, Hogg, and Clara
go to town. Hogg comes back soon. Talk and net. Hogg now remains with
us. Put the room to rights.
_Saturday, March 11._--Very unwell. Hogg goes to town. Talk about
Clara's going away; nothing settled; I fear it is hopeless. She will
not go to Skinner Street; then our house is the only remaining place,
I see plainly. What is to be done? Hogg returns. Talk, and Hogg reads
the _Life of Goldoni_ aloud.
_Sunday, March 4._--Talk a great deal. Not well, but better. Very
quiet all the morning, and happy, for Clara does not get up till 4. In
the evening read Gibbon, fourth volume; go to bed at 12.
_Monday, March 13._--Shelley and Clara go to town. Stay at home; net,
and think of my little dead baby. This is foolish, I suppose; yet,
whenever I am left alone to my own thoughts, and do not read to divert
them, they always come back to the same point--that I was a mother,
and am so no longer. Fanny comes, wet through; she dines, and stays
the evening; talk about many things; she goes at half-past 9. Cut out
my new gown.
_Tuesday, March 14._--Shelley calls on Dr. Pemberton. Net till
breakfast. Shelley reads _Religio Medici_ aloud, after Hogg has gone
to town. Work; finish Hogg's purse. Shelley and I go upstairs and talk
of Clara's going; the prospect appears to me more dismal than ever;
not the least hope. This is, indeed, hard to bear. In the evening Hogg
reads Gibbon to me. Charles Clairmont comes in the evening.
_Sunday, March 19._--Dream that my little baby came to life again;
that it had only been cold, and that we rubbed it before the fire, and
it lived. Awake and find no baby. I think about the little thing all
day. Not in good spirits. Shelley is very unwell. Read Gibbon. Charles
Clairmont comes. Hogg goes to town till dinner-time. Talk with Charles
Clairmont about Skinner Street. They are very badly off there. I am
afraid nothing can be done to save them. C. C. says that he shall go
to America; this I think a rather wild project in the Clairmont style.
Play a game of chess with Clara. In the evening Shelley and Hogg play
at chess. Shelley and Clara walk part of the way with Charles
Clairmont. Play chess with Hogg, and then read Gibbon.
_Monday, March 20._--Dream again about my baby. Work after breakfast,
and then go with Shelley, Hogg, and Clara to Bullock's Museum; spend
the morning there. Return and find more letters for A. Z.--one from a
"Disconsolate Widow."[15]
_Wednesday, March 22._--Talk, and read the papers. Read Gibbon all
day. Charles Clairmont calls about Shelley lending L100. We do not
return a decisive answer.
* * * * *
_Thursday, March 23._--Read Gibbon. Shelley reads Livy. Walk with
Shelley and Hogg to Arundel Street. Read _Le Diable Boiteux_. Hear
that Bonaparte has entered Paris. As we come home, meet my father and
Charles Clairmont.... C. C. calls; he tells us that Papa saw us, and
that he remarked that Shelley was so beautiful, it was a pity he was
so wicked.
* * * * *
_Tuesday, March 28._--Work in the morning and then walk out to look at
house.
_Saturday, April 8._--Peacock comes at breakfast-time; Hogg and he go
to town. Read _L'Esprit des Nations_. Settle to go to Virginia Water.
* * * * *
_Sunday, April 9._--Rise at 8. Charles Clairmont comes to breakfast at
10. Read some lines of Ovid before breakfast; after, walk with
Shelley, Hogg, Clara, and C. C. to pond in Kensington Gardens; return
about 2. C. C. goes to Skinner Street. Read Ovid with Hogg (finish
second fable). Shelley reads Gibbon and _Pastor Fido_ with Clara. In
the evening read _L'Esprit des Nations_. Shelley reads Gibbon, _Pastor
Fido_, and the story of Myrrha in Ovid.
_Monday, April 10._--Read Voltaire before breakfast. After breakfast
work. Shelley passes the morning with Harriet, who is in a
surprisingly good humour. Mary reads third fable of Ovid: Shelley and
Clara read _Pastor Fido_. Shelley reads Gibbon. Mrs. Godwin after
dinner parades before the windows. Talk in the evening with Hogg
about mountains and lakes and London.
_Tuesday, April 11._--Work in the morning. Receive letters from
Skinner Street to say that Mamma had gone away in the pet, and had
stayed out all night. Read fourth and fifth fables of Ovid.... After
tea, work. Charles Clairmont comes.
_Saturday, April 15._--Read Ovid till 3. Shelley and Clara finish
_Pastor Fido_, and then go out about Clara's lottery ticket; draws.
Clara's ticket comes up a prize. She buys two desks after dinner. Read
Ovid (ninety-five lines). Shelley and Clara begin _Orlando Furioso_. A
very grim dream.
_Friday, April 21._--After breakfast go with Shelley to Peacock's.
Shelley goes to Longdill's. Read third canto of the _Lord of the
Isles_. Return about 2. Shelley goes to Harriet to procure his son,
who is to appear in one of the courts. After dinner look over W. W.'s
poems. After tea read forty lines of Ovid. Fanny comes and gives us an
account of Hogan's threatened arrest of my Father. Shelley walks home
part of the way with her. Very sleepy. Shelley reads one canto of
Ariosto.
_Saturday, April 22._--Read a little of Ovid. Shelley goes to
Harriet's about his son. Work. Fanny comes. Shelley returns at 4; he
has been much teased with Harriet. He has been to Longdill's,
Whitton's, etc., and at length has got a promise that he shall appear
Monday. After dinner Fanny goes. Read sixty lines of Ovid. Shelley and
Clara read to the middle of the fourteenth canto of Ariosto.
Shortly after this several leaves of the journal are lost.
_Friday, May 5._--After breakfast to Marshall's,[16] but do not see
him. Go to the Tomb. Shelley goes to Longdill's. Return soon. Read
Spenser; construe Ovid.... After dinner talk with Shelley; then
Shelley and Clara go out.... Fanny comes; she tells us of Marshall's
servant's death. Papa is to see Mrs. Knapp to-morrow. Read Spenser.
Walk home with Fanny and with Shelley.... Shelley reads Seneca.
_Monday, May 8._--Go out with Shelley to Mrs. Knapp; not at home. Buy
Shelley a pencil-case. Return at 1. Read Spenser. Go again with
Shelley to Mrs. Knapp; she cannot take Clara. Read Spenser after
dinner. Clara goes out with Shelley. Talk with Jefferson (Hogg); write
to Marshall. Read Spenser. They return at 8. Very tired; go to bed
early. Jefferson scolds.
_Wednesday, May 10._--Not very well; rise late. Walk to Marshall's,
and talk with him for an hour. Go with Jefferson and Shelley to
British Museum--attend most to the statues; return at 2. Construe
Ovid. After dinner construe Ovid (100 lines); finish second book of
Spenser, and read two cantos of the third. Shelley reads Seneca every
day and all day.
_Friday, May 12._--Not very well. After breakfast read Spenser.
Shelley goes out with his friend; he returns first. Construe Ovid (90
lines); read Spenser. Jefferson returns at half-past 4, and tells us
that poor Sawyer is to be hung. These blessed laws! After dinner read
Spenser. Read over the Ovid to Jefferson, and construe about ten lines
more. Read Spenser. Shelley and the lady walk out. After tea, talk;
write Greek characters. Shelley and his friend have a last
conversation.
_Saturday, May 13._--Clara goes; Shelley walks with her. C. C. comes
to breakfast; talk. Shelley goes out with him. Read Spenser all day
(finish Canto 8, Book V.) Jefferson does not come till 5. Get very
anxious about Shelley; go out to meet him; return; it rains. Shelley
returns at half-past 6; the business is finished. After dinner Shelley
is very tired, and goes to sleep. Read Ovid (60 lines). C. C. comes to
tea. Talk of pictures.
(Mary).--A tablespoonful of the spirit of aniseed, with a small
quantity of spermaceti.
(Shelley)--9 drops of human blood, 7 grains of gunpowder, 1/2 oz. of
putrified brain, 13 mashed grave worms--the Pecksie's doom salve.
The Maie and her Elfin Knight.
I begin a new journal with our regeneration.