New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-31
THE SHELLEY CENTENARY.

Lord Chancellor Eldon. who decided in 1917
that Shelley was an unfit custodian of his own
children, would experience a shock OF surprise
if he could scan the list OF promoters OF the
centennial celebration OF the poets birth. Not
content with securing the public performance
of the Ccnci' and arranging for the erection
of costly monument at oxford. Shelley en-
tbusiaSts are now soliciting interest in "A pro-
iectcd library and museum" TO be established
for the collection and preservation of literary
and other memorials near his birthplace at
Horsham, in Sussex. Prominent among tho
signers of the circular plea is that eminent con-
servator of law and morals. the Lord Chlef
Justice of England and the imposing array OF
Wears and magistrates on the local committees
would reflect honor on the memory OF DR..
Watts himself Clearly, this latest phase OF
tho reaction in Shelley's favor is not more
startling than the modification it implies III
public sentiment and now that such respectable
pcrsonages are willing TO testify 10 the good
in h, work, affectionate admiration OF his
vivid genius may safely venture OIL overt ex-
preston
The Horsham proposition is entirely worthy
and deserves hearty encouragement. Although
several monuments in the Ilorsham Church
refer to Shelley's father and other members of
tho family, Shelley himself is unrepresentcd
by urn or tablet and his own known tastes
and habits render especially fitting the peculiar
nature Of the suggested memorial. The Shelley
Society has not succeeded in proving that the
poets dramatic rendering of the story OF
beatrice is the finest thing since Shakespeare.
Its fnical adjustment OF commas ana semi
colons has been as unmpressiye as It's IN
sistence on philosophic virtues there was no
need 10 discover or its laborious withdrawing
of blemishes In a career which, at this distance
of time, il is possible 10 contemplate without
e1citement But its enthusiastic celebration OF
his true gifts OF lofty imagination and divine
expres sion, Of his sincere and tender feeling
and Of his airy diffusion OF that spiritual radl-
ance that kindles spontaneously only once or
twice in a century, is worthy OF grateful APP
probation. Nobody cares for tho dogma OF the
early critic that Sheley's poetry was bound to
be bad because he once set fire to tree by
means of burning glass. Charles Lamb has
not convinced posteriiy that llazlitt predicted
happily when he declared that nobody would
ever be wiser or better for reading Shelley.
Mrs. Shelley. 1t is conceded, was right in claim
Ing for him genuine and unlorccd INSPIRATION,
and the sashing reviewers were wrong who
found the "Promethcus Unbound a mere
" pestiferous mixture of blasphemy, seditlon
and sensuallty'
The truth is. faults that seventy years ago
were properly adjudged detestabe are now
ascribed to the misfortune of mex
pcrence and immaturity rather than to
the crime Of wilful deprayity. Genius is not
permitted to excuse Righteousness yet the
over-vehement expression of reasonable and
earth shaking theories has become common
enough to encounter tolerant and hopeful com
miseration instead of passionate abuse. And
so the "poet's poet" as Mr.. Stcdman happily
styles him in new and exquisite cfusion, is
discovered to have been only bali bad. The
inirmity of the man has not hopelessly vltiatcd
the achievement of the poet; and ar intimate
appreciation of him at his best is its own ade-
tuate reward