philosopher was at the beginning of that shabby 'degringolade'
which was to end in the ruin of his self-respect. In spite of
his anti-matrimonial principles, he was indignant at his
disciple's elopement with his daughter, and, in spite of his
philosophy, he was not above abusing and sponging in the same
breath. The worst of these difficulties, however, came to an
end when Shelley's grandfather died on January 6, 1815, and he
was able, after long negotiations, to make an arrangement with
his father, by which his debts were paid and he received an
income of 1000 pounds a year in consideration of his abandoning
his interest in part of the estate.

And now, the financial muddle partly smoothed out, his genius
began to bloom in the congenial air of Mary's companionship.
The summer of 1815 spent in rambles in various parts of the
country, saw the creation of Alastor. Early in 1816 Mary gave
birth to her first child, a boy, William, and in the spring,
accompanied by the baby and Claire, they made a second
expedition to Switzerland. A little in advance another poet
left England for ever. George Gordon, Lord Byron, loaded with
fame and lacerated by chagrin, was beginning to bear through
Europe that 'pageant of his bleeding heart" of which the first
steps are celebrated in 'Childe Harold'. Unknown to Shelley
and Mary, there was already a link between them and the
luxurious "pilgrim of eternity' rolling towards Geneva in his
travelling-carriage, with physician and suite: Claire had
visited Byron in the hope that he might help her to employment
at Drury Lane Theatre, and, instead of going on the stage, had
become his mistress. Thus united, but strangely dissimilar, the
two parties converged on the Lake of Geneva, where the poets