writings, on the divinity of love, on the nature of the Deity, on the structure of the Universe, on the glory and grandeur of Creation, and with such rapidity, that, together with his abrupt entrance and sudden departure, and the strange unearthliness that distinguished him, gave to his visits something of the appearance of the coming and going of a spirit.

He would then stroll down by the river's side, get into his boat, the only indulgence he allowed himself, and row down the river till he had reached some pleasant spot, where he would allow it to drift while he reclined in the bottom, to indulge in his own reveries, or leaving his boat, he would strike off into the rich woodlands, where he would roam about sometimes even till midnight.

Though his habits were as simple as those of a hermit, and his income a thousand a year, Shelley was always in difficulties, owing to the assistance he gave to his friends, and it was very rare that he had any money in his pockets.

But while he was wandering about, he would frequently meet with fresh objects for the exercise of his benevolence. On these occasions he

would write an order on Mr. Maddocks, on any slip of paper, for sixpence or threepence, as the case seemed to require; but the following anecdote serves better to illustrate the extent of his benevolence:

"One forenoon," says my informant, "Shelley came to my house without shoes, desiring me to send a boy up to his house for a pair, he having given his own off his feet to a poor woman in the street, who was limping, barefooted, over the rough stones."

Such were the acts that impressed with the genuine stamp of reality his earnest pleadings in the cause of humanity; but it is impossible, with such largeness of heart, that he should not sometimes give to those who were unworthy of his bounty, which indeed appears to have been the case; for in the one article of blankets with which he supplied the poor, he found the necessity of having his name printed in large letters in the centre, to prevent their being improperly disposed of.

Notwithstanding this active benevolence the poet found ample time for the prosecution of his studies as well as leisure for composition.

It is scarcely correct to say that he allotted any particular portion of the day for the pursuit of any particular object, for he never went abroad without a book to read, or without the implements of writing.

His studies were thus carried on as much in the open air as under his own roof, and almost all that he wrote was inspired by the varied aspects of nature, as he reclined in the bottom of his boat, and allowed it to float down the stream, or as he wandered amidst the beautiful scenery that lies just beyond or richly adorns its banks, and was at once committed to paper; but notwithstanding, in his quiet and secluded life he adopted some kind of system which served as the rule of his actions.

He was an early riser, and generally walked till breakfast time, when he partook of a frugal meal; the rest of the morning was divided between study and composition, and perhaps again a walk, book in hand. He dined on vegetables, and drank nothing but water, and would then commonly entertain his friends, to whom his house was ever open.

Rowing on the river, like wandering in the

woods, was sometimes prolonged until the hour of midnight; tea, the poet's favourite beverage, he would drink voraciously, cup after cup; the evenings were commonly devoted to reading to his wife, the Bible being mostly chosen for this purpose, and at ten o'clock he retired to rest. Such was the simple round of his daily life.

CHAPTER IX.

The "Revolt of Islam"-Mode of its composition-Its character-" Prince Athanase"-Rosalind and Helen -Pamphlet on Reform-Bad state of the Poet's health -He proposes to visit Italy-The feeling against him in England-Marlow reminiscences.

MOST conspicuous among Shelley's literary efforts at Marlow stands the "Revolt of Islam," published originally under the title of "Laon and Cythna, or the Revolution of the Golden City," and described in the title-page of the first edition as "a Vision of the Nineteenth Century."

This poem bears internal evidence of having had great care bestowed upon it, and from its peculiar nature must have tasked his powers to the utmost.