enlighteners of the public mind at the present time, a scheme of mutual safety and mutual indemnification for men of public spirit and principle, which, if carried into effect, would evidently be productive of incalculable advantages. Of the scheme, the inclosed is an address to the public, the proposal for a meeting, and shall be modified according to your judgment, if you will do me the honour to consider the point. The ultimate intention of my aim is to induce a meeting of such enlightened unprejudiced members of the community, whose independent principles expose them to evils which might thus become alleviated; and to form a methodical society which should be organized so as to resist the coalition of the enemies of liberty, which at present renders any expression of opinion on matters of policy dangerous to individuals. It has been for the want of societies of this nature that corruption has attained the height at which we behold it; nor can any of us bear in mind the very great influence which, some years since, was gained by Illuminism, without considering that a society of equal extent might establish rational liberty on as firm a basis as that which would have supported the visionary schemes of a completely equalized community. Although perfectly unacquainted with you privately, I address you as a common friend to liberty, thinking that, in cases of this urgency and importance, etiquette' ought not to stand in the way of usefulness. My father is in Parliament, and on attaining twenty volume of 1852, and was reprinted in Shelley's Early Life (pp. 64-5) by Mr. MacCarthy, who thought it might be genuine. In my opinion this was a case in which matter as well as writing was forged; but it is conceivable that the forger copied an unpublished letter of Shelley's. one I shall, in all probability, fill his vacant seat. On account of the responsibility to which my residence in this University subjects me, I, of course, dare not publicly avow all that I think; but the time will come when I hope that my every endeavour, insufficient as they may be, will be directed to the advancement of liberty. Your most obedient servant, P. B. SHELLEY. SIR, LETTER XII. To MR. J. J. STOCKDALE. 15, Poland Street, Oxford Street [11 April, 1811]. Will you have the goodness to inform me of the number of copies which you have sold of St. Irvyne. Circumstances may occur which will oblige me, in case of their event, to wish for my accounts suddenly, perhaps you had better make them out. Sir, Your obedient humble servant, P. B. SHELLEY. SIR, LETTER XIII. To MR. J. J. STOCKDALE. Cwmelan, Rhayader, Radnorshire, August 1st, 1811. Your letter has at length reached me: the remoteness of my present situation must apologize for my apparent neglect. I am sorry to say, in answer to your requisition, that the state of my finances render immediate payment perfectly impossible. It is my intention at the earliest period in my power to do so, to discharge your account. I am aware of the imprudence of publishing a book so ill-digested as St. Irvyne; but are there no expectations on the profits of its sale? My studies have since my writing it been of a more serious nature. I am at present engaged in completing a series of moral and metaphysical essays-perhaps their copy-right would be accepted in lieu of part of my debt? Sir, I have the honour to be, It will be remembered that the edition was still unsold in 1822, so PERCY B. SHELLEY. that the "profits " in 1811 were probably very difficult to find. SIR, LETTER XIV. To HAMILTON ROWAN. 7, Lower Sackville Street, [Dublin,] Feb. 25th, 1812. Although I have not the pleasure of being personally known to you, I consider the motives which actuated me in writing the inclosed' sufficiently introductory to authorize me in sending you some copies, and waiving ceremonials in a case where public benefit is concerned. Sir, although an Englishman, I feel for Ireland; and I have left the country in which the chance of birth placed me for the sole purpose of adding my little stock of usefulness to the fund which I hope that Ireland possesses to aid me 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 inclosed. I have printed 1500 copies, and am now distributing them throughout Dublin. Sir, with respect, I am your obedient humble servant, P. B. SHELLEY. 1 The Address to the Irish People. LETTER XV. To T. C. MEDWIN (HORSHAM). Dublin, No. 17, Grafton Street, March 20th, 1812. MY DEAR SIR, The tumult of business and travelling has prevented my addressing you before. I am now engaged with a literary friend in the publication of a voluminous History of Ireland,' of which two hundred and fifty pages are already printed, and for the completion of which, I wish to raise two hundred and fifty pounds. I could obtain undeniable security for its payment at the expiration of eighteen months. Can you tell me how I ought to proceed? The work will produce great profits. As you will see by the Lewes paper, I am in the midst of overwhelming engagements. My kindest regards to all your family. assured I shall not forget you or them. 1 The reference is to A Compendium of the History of Ireland, from the Earliest Period to the Reign of George I., by John Lawless. It has been assumed that some of this book was written by Shelley. It does not seem certain from the letter that he wrote anything intended for it he may have done so; but equally his task may have been to raise the money and for : My dear Sir, Yours very truly, P. B. SHELLEY. Be ward the publication. Even if he wrote anything towards it, there is no evidence that Lawless used it; and I find no unmistakeable trace of Shelley's hand in the book; though there are passages that he might equally well have written, or have had in mind when he wrote some of his prose effusions of 1812-13. |