Their chief studies at this time were in Locke and Hume and the French essayists.

Shelley's bias toward metaphysical speculation was beginning to assert itself.

He read the School Logic with avidity, and practised himself without intermission in dialectical discussion.

Hogg observes, what is confirmed by other testimony, that in reasoning Shelley never lost sight of the essential bearings of the topic in dispute, never condescended to personal or captious arguments, and was Socratically bent on following the dialogue wherever it might lead, without regard for consequences.

Plato was another of their favourite authors; but Hogg expressly tells us that they only approached the divine philosopher through the medium of translations.