Rossetti's Memoir is a most valuable instalment.

Shelley in his lifetime bound those who knew him with a chain of loyal affection, impressing observers so essentially different as Hogg, Byron, Peacock, Leigh Hunt, Trelawny, Medwin, Williams, with the conviction that he was the gentlest, purest, bravest, and most spiritual being they had ever met.

The same conviction is forced upon his biographer.

During his four last years this most loveable of men was becoming gradually riper, wiser, truer to his highest instincts.

The imperfections of his youth were being rapidly absorbed.