lection of the unpleasant taste that might arise from taking a minute portion of some poisonous substance by the like chance, for there was no vestige of a more serious or lasting injury in hist youthful and healthy, although somewhat delicate aspect.

He took lessons in chemistry of a physician, and to further his minute investigations into the laws of solids and fluids, opened a numerous correspondence with such as were likely to assist him in his studies. Possessing a mind of great metaphysical acuteness, there can be little doubt that the questions he sometimes proposed to his correspondents were of a very startling nature. But his individual character proved an obstacle to his inquiries, even while they were strictly physical. A refuted or irritated chemist suddenly concluded a long correspondence by telling his youthful opponent he would write to his master, and have him flogged-a threat to such a mind as Shelley's calculated far more to create exultation in his triumph over the ignorance of his cowardly opponent than to operate as an intimidation.

However, such things served to render him

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more cautious, and he began to address inquiries anonymously, or rather, to ensure an answer, to sign himself Philalethes, and the like; but, even at Eton, the postman does not ordinarily speak Greek-to prevent miscarriages, therefore, it was necessary to adopt a more familiar name, as John Short or Thomas Long.

CHAPTER V.

Physics and metaphysics-Shelley's readings at EtonDe Deo the germ of his scepticism-Dr. Lind— Shelley's early love of boating-His removal from Eton.

Ir is curious to observe the gradual progress from physics to metaphysics. Indeed, so closely does one seem to wait on the steps of the other, that we might almost suppose it a natural consequence that whoever begins by inquiring into the subtilities of matter, will in the end extend his inquiries into the nature of spiritual essences.

The physician who instructed him was one of his favourite correspondents. Our young philosopher held a high opinion of his talents, and

always spoke of him with profound veneration. He was venerable in years, and belonged to the old school. He confined his epistolary discussions to matters of science, and so for a time did his eager disciple; but when metaphysics usurped the place that physics had before held, the latter gradually fell into dissertations respecting existences still more subtile than gases and the electric fluid.

'Is the electric fluid material?" he would ask his correspondent. "Is light? Is the vital principle in vegetables ?-in brutes ?-in the human soul?”

Thus we see him fairly started in his metaphysical inquiries; but while thus occupied, it must not be supposed that he altogether neglected his academical studies. It is true, he never distinguished himself at Eton, for he had no ambition to emulate his fellows in school exercises; but he had been so well grounded in the classics, that with little labour he could get up his daily lessons, and he soon learnt to compose Latin verses with facility.

Of the books he read at this period, we know little; popular works on Chemistry, Astronomy,

and such like, no doubt, formed the principal.

He once wrote to Medwin for a work on Chemistry that he knew to be in his father's library. The book was forwarded to him, but was sent back by the heads of the College, with a message that such were forbidden at Eton-a circumstance which, no doubt, gave a spur to Shelley's inquiries.

He also read with avidity, and greatly admired, the works of Pliny the elder, the enlightened and benevolent,as he styles him. He translated several books into English; and it was his intention to make a complete version of his natural history, but was arrested by the chapters on Astronomy, which Dr. Lind, whom he consulted, told him the best scholars could not understand.

It was from the chapter "De Deo," that he first imbibed his notions respecting the nature of the Deity; one passage particularly struck him : God must be all sense, all sight, all hearing, all life, all mind, self-existent."

The earnest contemplation of this passage produced the first germ of his scepticism.