The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-20
THE REAL SHELLEY,
An Unpleasant Version of the Poets Love
for Mary Goodwin.

An Unpleasant Version of the Poets Love
for Mary Goodwin.
New York Correspondence Phadeinh;a press.
MIR. John Cordy Jeaffreson is young English
man who seems to think that he was born TO set
the world Alright in the matter Of its particular
pet poets. Some time ago, you may remember,
he published volume called sThe Real Lord
Byron" in which he showed us that much
admired poet and greatly gessipped-about man
| In complete undress, and the world had hardly
got used to the spectacle before he set TO work
to upset the picturesque portrait we had painted
OF Shelley by giving us one that is more realistic
than novel by Emile Zola. THE Real Shell
ley is not written in the spirlt of THE Real
Byron" With the author Of don Juan mf.
Jea1reson had more sympath, and for him q
have thorough dislike, and, as far as I can
fathom his antipathy. it is founded on moral
reasons
Mr. Jeafreson begins by denying an arsto-
cratic Lineage to the poet and says that his great
grandfather. though born in England, was only
"a Yankee apothecary," and that they were not
descended from the first Shelley bs.ronet, created
in l6ll. The story of Shelley and Mary Goodwin
Mr. Jeaffreson tells in a way to make the poets
admirers vince
The poet had familiar friend from whom
ne had received much kindness, for whom he
progressed cordial veneration, and with whom he
lived In close intimacy. This friend had an only
daughter-a bright, lively, romantic lovely girl.
SUI only sixteen years old. Reared within the
lines of religious orthodoxy, this young girl had
been educated to think of marriage just as other
young English girls are usually taught to think
of it, Though in former time he had been an
advocate of the free contract her father had
changed his views about marriage before her
birth, and had abandoned his free contract views
when she was still a nursing Soon
after making this young girls acquaint-
ance Shelley passed into discord with
his wife He fixed his affections on
his friends daughter. Without speaking to his
friend on the subject, or giving him occasion to
suspect what he was about, Shelley paid his adj
dresses to this child and had won her heart ere
ever it occurred to her father that they light be
living too intimately and affectonately with one
another
1t was with great difficulty that Shelley over
came the child notions OF right in which she
had been educated but eventually he accom-
plished his purpose A few days later leaving
his own wife and child in England Shelley stole
this young girl from her home. and carrying her
off to the continent lived with her as though she
were his wife. He did this. though she was his
most intimate friends only daughter, though she
was only sixteen years DID, and though he had no
prospect of ever being able marry her. ''Mr.
Froude is of opinion" adds Mr.. Jeaffreson. with
scorn. "that in this matter Shelley was guilty Of
nothing worse than the sin of acting on emotional
theories of liberty, and should be judged tenderly
because he was young and enthusiastic! Differ.
ing from Mr.. Froude, venture to say that, in
acting thus i'll towards the girl, Shelley was
guilty of very hateful treason toward his friend"