CHAPTER XXI.

Project for starting the "Liberal "-Instructions to Leigh Hunt-Shelley returns to Pisa-His preparations for the arrival of Lord Byron-Arrival at Pisa of La Guiccioli-Arrival of Lord Byron-Intercourse of the poets-The "Deformed Transformed"-Shelley's criticism of it-Deference of Lord Byron-Pastime of the two poets-Shelley's modesty-Insincerity of Moore-Byron's tribute to Shelley's merits.

ANOTHER circumstance arising out of this visit, was the project for starting an English journal under the title of the Liberal. Such a project seems to have been in Byron's mind for a considerable time, for on a prior occasion it had been proposed by him to Moore, "but for

some reason or other," says Shelley, "it was never brought to bear."

The form it now took was in favour of Leigh Hunt, who it was proposed should be invited to Italy to conduct it for the joint benefit of the three, the object of the journal itself being mainly for the contracting parties to publish all their original compositions, and Byron, on his part, offered as his first contribution, the entire poem of "The Vision of Judgment," which was considered sufficient in itself to set up the journal.

The idea of a visit from Leigh Hunt, and moreover the prospect of doing him a service, filled Shelley with delight, and immediately on his return to Pisa, he sat down to communicate to him this scheme.

The letter he addressed to Leigh Hunt on this occasion, dated August 26th, 1824, was worthy of his generous nature.

"As for myself," he says, "I am for the present only a sort of link between you and Byron, until you can know each other and effectuate the arrangement; since to entrust you with a secret, which, for your sake, I withhold

from him, nothing would induce me to share in the profits, and still less in the borrowed splendour of such a partnership.

"You and he, in different manners, would be equal, and would bring, in a different manner, but in the same proportion, equal stocks of reputation and success.

"I did not ask Lord Byron to assist me in sending a remittance for your journey, because there are men, however excellent, from whom we would never receive an obligation, in the worldly sense of the word; and I am as jealous for my friend as for myself; but I suppose I shall at last make up an impudent face, and ask Horace Smith to add to them any obligation he has conferred upon me. I know I need only ask."

Such was the manner in which Shelley could confer a favour on his friend, making it appear that it was entirely his own affair.

Leigh Hunt's health at this period was in a declining state, nor were his affairs at all prosperous, and Shelley had frequently invited him to Italy; the idea, therefore, could not but attract his attention, and he soon set about making

arrangements for carrying it into effect. But I will not anticipate.

On his return to Pisa, Shelley immediately exerted himself to hasten the arrival of Lord Byron, by seeking for him a suitable residence, nor was he long unsuccessful.

The Casa Lanfranchi, one of the most ancient and spacious palaces of that city, was fixed upon, and La Guiccioli soon arrived to superintend the preparations for the reception of her noble lover.

The poet's extreme unwillingness to quit Ravenna, delayed his arrival till the beginning of November, when he at length arrived at Pisa and took up his abode at the Casa Lanfranchi.

Shelley's residence was on the opposite bank of the Lung' Arno, and the two poets, thus established, were in daily communication. They soon became so intimate that they were inseparable. The morning, Byron usually devoted to composition, and on Shelley's arrival in the afternoon, the labour of the morning was commonly handed to him for perusal.

"Cain," com

In this manner he completed menced at Ravenna, wrote the "Deformed

Transformed," and the tragedy of "Werner." The great defference he paid to Shelley's judgment, was shown on one occasion in a remarkable manner.

One morning, Byron produced the "Deformed Transformed," saying:

Shelley, I have been writing a Faustish kind of drama, tell me what you think of it." After reading it attentively, Shelley returned it.

'Well," said Byron, "how do you like it?” Least," replied Shelley, "of any thing I ever saw of yours.

It is a bad imitation of Faust, and besides there are two entire lines of Southey's in it."

Lord Byron changed colour immediately and asked hastily-"What lines?

Shelley repeated :

66 And water shall see thee,

And fear thee and flee thee."

They are in the " Curse of Kehama.”

His lordship instantly threw the poem into the fire.

Two years later this poem was reproduced, if we may credit Medwin's statement of its de