he recognised his poetical and personal ideal. He studied his works with minute and loving care, and to the last never ceased to speak of him in terms of admiration and gratitude.[1] It is very probable that the study of Shelley's writings first led Thomson to doubt the truth of the doctrines of Christianity; but he would not have accepted even Shelley's conclusions had they not tallied with those which he arrived at by independent inquiry and thought. A change of creed to a sensitive person must ever be a painful process, and there is plenty of evidence to prove that it was so in Thomson's case. But one of his most marked characteristics was his complete intellectual honesty. His convictions were slowly formed, tenaciously held, and always expressed with vigour and decision. He never modified or softened the expression of his ideas from fear of Mrs. Grundy, or to conciliate his readers.[2] Had he been less sincere or uncompromising his literary career would doubtless have been more successful.
Thomson remained in the army as assistant schoolmaster for about two years, the regiment to which he was attached being stationed in Ireland during the whole of that time. At the end of this period he was (according to the usual practice) sent to the Training College at
- ↑ "Shelley" was the title of one of his earliest poems. It was written in 1855. It contains some fine passages; and I have omitted it from the present volume rather from want of space than from any misgiving as to its excellence.
- ↑ It is worth noting that one of his articles was found to be too audacious even for the uncompromising National Reformer. After two instalments of it had appeared, the third and concluding portion was suppressed.
