Part 37 (1/2)
10 _March_, 1824.
_Sir_,--I have the honour of answering your letter. My first wish has always been to bring the Greeks to agree among themselves. I came here by the invitation of the Greek Government, and I do not think that I ought to abandon Roumelia for the Peloponnesus until that Government shall desire it; and the more so, as this part is exposed in a greater degree to the enemy. Nevertheless, if my presence can really be of any a.s.sistance in uniting two or more parties, I am ready to go anywhere, either as a mediator, or, if necessary, as a hostage. In these affairs I have neither private views, nor private dislike of any individual, but the sincere wish of deserving the name of the friend of your country, and of her patriots.
PERCY BYSSHE Sh.e.l.lEY 1792-1822
To T.J. HOGG
_His first marriage_
[_No date. Postmark_, Rhayader. Summer of 1811.]
MY DEAR FRIEND,
You will perhaps see me before you can answer this; perhaps not; Heaven knows! I shall certainly come to York, but _Harriet Westbrook_ will decide whether now or in three weeks. Her father has persecuted her in a most horrible way, by endeavouring to compel her to go to school. She asked my advice: resistance, was the answer, at the same time that I essayed to mollify Mr. W. in vain! And in consequence of my advice _she_ has thrown herself upon _my_ protection.
I set off for London on Monday. How flattering a distinction!--I am thinking of ten million things at once.
What have I said? I declare, quite _ludicrous_. I advised her to resist. She wrote to say that resistance was useless, but that she would fly with me, and threw herself upon my protection. We shall have 200 a year; when we find it run short, we must live, I suppose, upon love! Grat.i.tude and admiration, all demand that I should love her _for ever._ We shall see you at York. I will hear your arguments for matrimonialism, by which I am now almost convinced. I can get lodgings at York, I suppose. Direct to me at Graham's, 18, Sackville Street, Piccadilly.
Your inclosure of 10 has arrived; I am now indebted to you 30.
In spite of philosophy, I am rather ashamed of this unceremonious exsiccation of your financial river. But indeed, my dear friend, the grat.i.tude which I owe you for your society and attachment ought so far to overbalance this consideration as to leave me nothing but that. I must, however, pay you when I can.
I suspect that the _strain_ is gone for ever. This letter will convince you that I am not under the influence of a _strain_.
I am thinking at once of ten million things. I shall come to live near you, as Mr. Peyton.
Ever your most faithful friend.
I shall be at 18, Sackville Street; at least direct there. Do not send more cash; I shall raise supplies in London.
To WILLIAM G.o.dWIN
_An introduction_
Keswick, 3 _Jan_. 1812.
You will be surprised at hearing from a stranger. No introduction has, nor in all probability ever will authorize that which common thinkers would call a liberty; it is, however, a liberty which, although not sanctioned by custom, is so far from being reprobated by reason, that the dearest interests of mankind imperiously demand that a certain etiquette of fas.h.i.+on should no longer keep 'man at a distance from man', or impose its flimsy fancies between the free communication of intellect.
The name of G.o.dwin has been used to excite in me feelings of reverence and admiration. I have been accustomed to consider him a luminary too dazzling for the darkness which surrounds him. From the earliest period of my knowledge of his principles, I have ardently desired to share, on the footing of intimacy, that intellect which I have delighted to contemplate in its emanations.
Considering, then, these feelings, you will not be surprised at the inconceivable emotions with which I learned your existence and your dwelling. I had enrolled your name in the list of the honourable dead.
I had felt regret that the glory of your being had pa.s.sed from this earth of ours. It is not so; you still live, and, I firmly believe, are still planning the welfare of human kind.