40

66

THE VILIUS AURUM."

would too soon, and to their serious disappointment, learn,

"Cœlum, non animum mutant, qui trans mare currunt."

Being convinced that the plan was not feasible, Seward withdrew from it, and endeavoured to dissuade the rest from wasting any further time or energy upon the enterprise. But the spell was upon them, and they could not, until the false excitement had exhausted itself, shake off the delusion. Every inquiry respecting the climate, the soil, the vegetation, the seasons, the periods of seed-time and harvest, the expectations of the crops, the probable expenses of their voyage and future settlement in the colony, and the proper month for sailing, was made, and no preparation which it was in their power to forward was relaxed. But an insurmountable obstacle now began to present itself. It was discovered that there were no funds, and it was painfully evident, that even a Utopia could not be founded without the aid of the vilius aurum.

It was computed that 2000l. would set them fairly afloat. The passage-money, for as many as had already enlisted, they estimated at 4007.; the rest was to purchase land, clear the ground, procure provisions, or whatever was requisite for the well-being of the community. The effects of all put together would not raise that sum. Southey was the foremost and most sanguine upon the occasion. There was the "Joan of

TITLE-DEEDS AND MONEY-CHANGERS.

41

Arc," a manuscript epic, it might be offered to the publishers. But these gentlemen were known more as cormorants than pelicans. There was, consequently, little hope from that quarter. He had some prospect, however, of a future fortune, based upon some uncertain title-deeds or will of an uncle. It might be possible-such was the train of his thoughts—to raise a loan upon the reversionary interest of the property, and that the billbrokers or money-changers might be tempted to advance a sufficient sum upon those securities. The titledeeds, upon examination, proved valueless, and the will of an uncle-he had already shown his capriciousness— was equally insubstantial. The requisite funds could not be raised, and it was found necessary to postpone the day of sailing.

Delays and postponements are proverbially unfavourable to the execution of any plan; and unequivocal signs of the impracticability of their scheme began to force themselves irresistibly upon the attention of the chiefs of Pantisocracy. Southey was, however, tenacious of his purpose, and his reluctance to throw up the enterprise was manifested in a desire to experimentalize in some retired spot of North Wales. To this Coleridge objected, and both began now to perceive the necessity of confining their views to the realities, and preparing for the exigencies, of life. This, perhaps, thoroughly undeceived them as to the feasibility of their scheme, as it must have reduced them to reflect

calmly upon the probabilities of success in such an association. Southey, however, was the first to abandon a scheme of which Coleridge was the originator, and the latter, with a decent exhibition of affection for his abortive project, felt aggrieved at his friend's conduct. A temporary misunderstanding ensued; but this estrangement lasted only a short time, and both were quickly devising more rational plans for their subsistence.

Prospects in Life - Miss Tyler-Dependence upon Literature -Lectures at Bristol-Publication of "Joan of Arc"-Return of Mr. Hill to England - Southey prepares for a Voyage to Lisbon-His Marriage.

WHILST the fever of Pantisocracy was upon him, the whole time and energies of Southey were engaged in it. His attendance at Oxford had been interrupted, and all serious thoughts absorbed by the predominant ideas of happiness that awaited him and his fellow-colonists in the Western World. Having thrown off the delusion, it was necessary to inquire into less visionary matters, and to discover what course he should adopt for his future support, the most pressing and weighty reasons urging him to the consideration.

The Church was still open to him, and he was assured of the influence and valuable assistance of his friends on his entering it.* We have, however, seen

*"Till Christmas last I supported myself wholly by the profits of my writing. .. Thus you may see, that the only

...

44

RELIGION AND POLITICS.

that he could not conscientiously subscribe to its articles of faith, and he did not scruple to reject the idea. At first he was apprehensive that his refusal might give offence to his uncle. Such was not the case. "I knew what your politics were, and therefore had reason to suspect what your religion might be," quietly observed Mr. Hill, who shared the prejudices of the day as to the necessary connexion of servility and faith, but who had nothing of the persecuting spirit about him. But such moderation it was not always Southey's good fortune to experience; and the mildness of this rebuke came, as it were, to set off the conduct of his eccentric relative, Miss Tyler. The imperiousness of her character had induced him to delay the announcement of the Pantisocratic scheme and his intended marriage with Edith Fricker to the eleventh hour. Consequently, when everything was deemed ready, and the day, or at least the month-it was the March of 1793—fixed, he ventured to break the subject to his aunt. Knowing the tropical warmth of her temper, he had a right to expect the waters to be ruffled, but a tempest of unusual violence ensued. Ordering him to quit her house, and never see her face again, she turned him out of a piti

means I have ever possessed of assisting my mother was by entering the Church. God knows I would exchange every intellectual gift which he has blest me with, for implicit faith to have been able to do this. "-Letter to John May, Esq.

July 15th, 1799.