"These speculations may appear wild, to persons who have not extended their views of what is practicable, by closely watching science in its onward course; but there are many mysterious powers, many irrresistible agents, with the existence and with some of the phenomena of which all are acquainted.

What a mighty instrument would electricity be in the hands of one who knew how to direct its omnipotent energies; and we may command an indefinite quantity of fluid, by means of electric kites, we may draw down the lightning from Heaven.

The galvanic battery is a new engine: yet has it wrought wonders already. What will not an extraordinary combination of troughs of colossal magnitude, a well-arranged system of hundreds of metallic plates effect?

"The balloon has not yet achieved the perfection of which it is surely capable; the art of navigating the air, is in its first and most helpless infancy; at present it is a mere toy, a feather in comparison with the splendid anticipations of the philosophical chemist. Yet it promises prodigious facilities for locomotion, and will

enable us to traverse vast tracts with ease and

rapidity.

'Why are we ignorant of the interior of Africa ? Why do we not dispatch intrepid aëronauts, to cross it in every direction, and to survey the whole Peninsula in a few weeks? The shadow of the first balloon, which a vertical sun would project precisely underneath it, as it glided silently over that hitherto unhappy country would virtually emancipate every slave, and annihilate slavery for ever.'

When he at last paused in his eloquent discourse, Hogg ventured to suggest, that the Mathematician had equal faith in the honours and advantages of his studies. Whereupon his guest declared he knew nothing of mathematics; but treated the notion of their paramount importance with contempt.

"What do you say of metaphysics?' continued Hogg.

Aye, metaphysics!' he replied in a solemn tone, and with a mysterious air; that is a noble study indeed. If it were possible to make any discoveries there, they would disclose the analysis of mind, and not of mere matter.'

"Then rising from his chair, he paced slowly about the room, and discoursed of souls, with still greater animation and vehemence than he had displayed in treating of gases. Of a futur

state, and especially of a former state-of preexistence, observed for a time through the suspension of consciousness—of personal identity, and also of ethical philosophy,—in a deep and earnest tone of elevated morality, until he suddenly remarked that the fire was nearly out, and that the candles were glimmering inheir sockets, when he hastily apologized for remaining so long."

VOL. I.

E

CHAPTER IX.

Mr. Hogg visits Shelley in his own rooms-Description of his rooms-Shelley's acquirements in chemistry— The electric machine-Simplicity of the poet's life— His desire for knowledge.

THE young collegians at once took to each other, and arranged for their next meeting at Shelley's rooms. "I promised," says his not less enthusiastic friend, "to visit the Chemist in his laboratory; the Alchymist in his study; the Wizard in his cave; not at breakfast that day, for it was already one, but in twelve hours, one hour after noon, to hear some of the secrets of nature, and for that purpose he told me his name, and described the situation of his rooms.

I lighted him down stairs as well as I could with the stump of the candle, and I soon heard him running through the quiet Quadrangle in the still night.

"That sound became, afterwards, so familiar to my ear, that I still seem to hear Shelley's hasty steps."

With such preternatural energy of character, such wild but brilliant speculations, such impetuous enthusiasm, did he present himself, for the first time, to Hogg. It was impossible he should not be fascinated by a being so extraordinary.

On visiting him at his rooms the next day, he seemed suffering that depression which often weighs down the heart of a lonely student, or usually follows some great excitement. He was cowering over the fire, with his feet resting on the fender, presenting a most dejected appear

ance.

He rose, and after seizing the arm of his visitor with both hands, to give him a cordial welcome, resumed his seat, his limbs trembling, and his teeth chattering with the cold.