Evening star., 1926-02-02

woman, in such a position. admits
that Shelleys ideas on religion can
not be taken too seriously as models
OF truth.
Mrs. Shelley continues:
inspired with ardour for the ac-
QUESTION OF knowledge; endowed with
the keenest sensibility, and with the
fortitude Of a martyr. Shelley came
among his fellow creatures. congre-
gated for the purpose of education,
like a spirit from another sphere. too
delicately organized for the rough
, treatment man uses toward man, es-
pecially In the season Of youth; and
too resOlute in carrying out his own
sense of good and justice not to be-
come q victim.
ITO d devoted attachment to those
he loved, he added a determined re-
sistance to oppression. refusing to
fag at Eton, he was treated with re-
voting cruelty by masters and boys.
This reused. instead of tanning, his
spirit, and he rejected the duty OF
obedience, when It was enforced by
menaCeS and punishment
TO aversion to the society of his
fellow creatures. such as he found
them when collected together in socie
ties, where one egged on the other TO
acts Of tyranny, was joined the deep
est sympathy and compassion: while
the attachment he felt for individuals
and the admiration with which he re-
garded their powers and virtues led
him to entertain Il high opinion Of the
perfectiblllty of human nature, and he
believed that all could reach the high
est grade of moral Improvement did
not the customs and prejudices OF so
clety foster evil passions, and excuse
evil passions.
His readings were not always well
chosen; among them were the works
Of the French philosophers: as far as
metaphysical argument went, he tenn
porarlly became Il convert. AT the
same time, 1t was the cardinal article
Of his faith that If men were but
taught and induced To treat their fell
lows with love, charity and equal
rights. this earth would realize Para
disc
He looked upon religion az il is
professed," continues Mrs. Shelley,
ana, above all. praCticed, as hostile,
instead of friendly, TO the cultivation
OF those virtues which would make
men brothers.
Can this be wondered att At the
age of Il, fragile in health and frame,
Of the purest habits In morals, full OF
devoted generosity and universal kind
ness. glowing with ardOur 10 attain
wisdom, resolved al every personal
sacrifice to do right, burning with u
desire FOR affection and sympathy
he was treated as = reprobat", cast
forth as Il criminal.
The cause WAS that he was sincere;
that he believed the opinions which he
entertained 10 he true. ana ne loved
truth with Il martyrs love: he was
ready to sacrific" station and fortune,
and his dearest affections, st its shrine.
The sacrifice was demanded from. and
mad" by. q youth OF -
II is d singular fact in the history
Of society in the civilized nations Of
modern times that no false step is SO
youth. Older men. il is true, when
they oppose their fellows and trans
gress ordinary rules, carry a certain
prudence or hypocrisy as a shield with
them. But youth is rash nor can Il
imagine. while asserting what il be-
lieves TO be true. and doing what il
believes to be right, that il should be
denounced as vicious, and pursued as
a criminal"
oh, spirit OF Mrs. Shelley, so capably,
so honestly defending the memory of
your husband and at the same time
writing an eternal apology for the
young, including the "flappers" OF
1926,
We like the simple honesty Of your
lines. and also the SpOrtSmanShip dis
played, when you placed, as the first
poem in the volume edited by you, the
poem, ITO Harriet" Your predecessor
in Shelley's affection.