I believe every rational being will agree with Pope, that—
"In the scale of reasoning life 'tis plain,
There must be somewhere such a rank as man;
And all the question, wrangle e'er so long,
Is only this, if God has placed him wrong?"
The theory of Mr. Shelley is, that God has created knaves, and fools, instead of men: and he would have us believe that to get rid of the folly and knavery, would be to introduce a species superior to man; and a new modification of the external and material world, to suit his new order! The object of other philosophers, (admitting Mr. Shelley to be one) is to realize the philosophical idea of what man ought to be in the development of his reason;—Mr. Shelley is not satisfied with this; but would entrench upon the ideal world for a species of fabulous angels, of "faultless monsters, which the world ne'er saw," to people his new regions.
All this, as a mere theory may amuse the volatile, and those who seek only amusement; and though useless, I will not call it dangerous. It is a common principle with man, to seek abroad for felicity, while it lies within his reach. Overlooking it at home, and not finding it elsewhere, he flies to the clouds, and
