Shelley: The Pursuit (44 page)

[12]
This caveat concerning Dan implies that in Shelley’s or Harriet’s opinion he could not have had anything to do with the attack. The fact that he continued in the household for several months after confirms this.

[13]
The evidence of the nightgown is elaborated in Shelley’s letter of 6 March 1813.
Letters
, I, No. 228, pp. 358–9. The hole in the curtain is not mentioned elsewhere, but if Harriet was correct in hearing only one shot, both holes must have been caused by the same bullet.

[14]
There is no reason to dispute this misfire, if Harriet heard only one report. Shelley had probably reloaded his pistols in a hurry after the first incident; the second pistol was presumably with Dan.

[15]
There is a tradition that Shelley used to practise his sabre cuts on a beech tree outside on the east lawn; for many years after it was said to have carried deep scars. The present beech tree is too young to remember.

[16]
This seems to imply that Dan caught a glimpse of Shelley and the assailant struggling on either side of the smashed window, with the latter just getting the upper hand. Some commentators have felt that Dan discovered Shelley wrestling with his
doppelgänger
. Dan himself left no known written record.

[17]
H. M. Dowling has followed up some interesting letters where the reward for the ‘Tan-yr-allt ghost’, dead or alive, was humorously discussed: but these all date from several years after, like the best legends. Talking of ghosts, however, one recalls Leeson’s propensity for amateur theatricals.

Illustrations: Section I

1. Field Place, south façade: Shelley’s windows are on the first floor, to the right
(photograph by Adrian Holmes)

2. Sir Bysshe Shelley by Sir William Beechey

3. Sir Timothy Shelley by George Romney

4. Lady Elizabeth Shelley by George Romney

5. Margaret and Hellen Shelley by an unknown artist

6. ‘The Nightmare’ by Henry Fuseli

7. Robert Southey in 1804 by H. Edridge

8. T. L. Peacock by R. Jean

9. Lynmouth, Devon: harbour and village. The site of Shelley’s house is on the extreme left

10. Tan-y-rallt, Tremadoc: general view from the south

11. Tan-y-rallt, the east windows and lawn