Shelley's Ghost

This is the letter Godwin wrote to Mary after hearing of Shelley’s death. Initially he seems more sorry for himself than for his daughter, complaining of her failure to write to him, but he then talks hopefully of their reconciliation. He and Mary had not seen each other for nearly four years, and for some time Shelley had intercepted Godwin’s letters to Mary because, he said, their dismal contents distressed her. Now Godwin anticipates the removal of the obstacles between himself and Mary: she was no longer married to a member of the landed gentry, ‘one of the daughters of prosperity’, and was back on the same social level as himself, ‘an unfortunate old man & a beggar’; he will be able to help with her affairs, and perhaps act as her lawyer; and she will, he assumes, leave Italy and return to England.

Mary’s reply has not survived (none of her letters to her father have), but on her return to England she would indeed re-establish her relationship with Godwin, to whom she had always been devoted.

No. 195, Strand,
Aug. 6, 1822.

Dear Mary

 I heard only two days ago the most afflicting intelligence to you, & in some measure to all of us, that can be imagined, the death of Shelley on the 8^th. instant ult. I have had no direct information; the news only comes in a letter from Leigh Hunt to miss Kent; & therefore, were it not for the consideration of the writer, I should be authorised to disbelieve it. That you should be so overcome as not to be able to write is perhaps but too natural; but that Jane could not write one line I could never have believed; & the behaviour of the lady at Pisa towards us respecting it on the occasion is peculiarly cruel.

 Leigh Hunt says, you bear up under the shock better than could have been imagined; but appearances are not to be relied on. It would have been a great relief to me to have had a few lines from yourself. In a case like this one lets one’s imagination loose among the possibilities of things; & one is apt to rest upon what is most distressing & intolerable. I learned the news on Sunday; I was in hope to have had my doubts & fears removed by a letter from yourself on Monday. I again entertained the same hope to-day, & am again disappointed. I shall hang in hope & fear on every post, knowing that you cannot neglect me for ever.

 All that I expressed to you about silence, & not writing to you again, is now put an end to in the most melancholy way. I looked on you as one of the daughters of prosperity, elevated in rank & fortune; & I thought it was criminal to intrude on you for ever the sorrows of an unfortunate old man & a beggar. You are now fallen to my own level; you are surrounded with adversity & with difficulty; & I no longer hold it sacrilege to trouble you with my adversities. We shall now truly sympathise with each other; & whatever misfortune or ruin falls upon me, I shall not now scruple to lay it fully before you.

 This sorrowful event is perhaps calculated to draw us nearer to each other. I am the father of a family, but without children. I & my wife are falling fast into infirmity & helplessness; &, in addition to all our other calamities, we seemed destined to be left without connections & without aid. Perhaps now we and you shall mutually derive consolation from each other.

 Poor Jane is I am afraid left still more helpless than you are. Common misfortune I hope will excite between you the most friendly feelings.

 Shelley lived, I know, in constant anticipation of the uncertainty of his life, though not in this way; & was anxious in that event to make the most effectual provision for you. I am impatient to hear in what way that has been done; & perhaps you will make me your lawyer in England, if any steps are necessary. I am desirous to call on Longdill; but I should call with more effect, if I had authority & instructions from you.

 Mamma desires me to say how truly [and] deeply she sympathises in your affliction; & I trust you know enough of her to feel that this is the language of her heart.

 I suppose you will hardly stay in Italy. In that case we shall be near to, & support each other.

   Ever & ever affectionately [yours]

     William Godwin

I have received your letter dated (it had no date) since writing the above. It was detained for some hours by being directed to the care of Monro, for which I cannot account. William wrote to you on the 14^th. of June & on the 23^rd. of July. I will call on Peacock & Hogg, as you desire. Perhaps William’s letter, & perhaps others, have been kept from you. Let me us now be open & unreserved in all things.

Mary Shelley; (bequest, 1851) Sir Percy and Lady Shelley; (bequest, 1889) Lady Shelley; (bequest, 1899) Shelley Scarlett (later 5th Baron Abinger) and/or Robert Scarlett (later 6th Baron Abinger); (bequest, 1917) Robert Scarlett, 6th Baron Abinger; (bequest, 1927) Hugh Scarlett, 7th Baron Abinger; (bequest, 1943) James Scarlett, 8th Baron Abinger; (bequest, 2002) James Scarlett, 9th Baron Abinger; (purchase, 2004) Bodleian.