ABSTRACT

Cyrus Redding (1785–1870) was the son of Robert Redding (1755–1807), a Baptist minister in Cornwall and a staunch supporter of Charles James Fox. From 1821 to 1830 he was working editor of the New Monthly Magazine, begun under the nominal editorship of the Scottish poet Thomas Campbell. Reddings new position brought him into contact with many literary figures of a reformist persuasion, including Godwin himself, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, and Dr John Wolcot. This chapter presents a passage taken from Yesterday and To-day, one of several volumes of autobiographical reminiscences by Redding. The passage is written from the point of view of one who shared Godwin’s belief in reform through the gradualist means of enquiry and discussion rather than through political agitation. Looking back to the celebrated political trials of 1794, in which twelve leading radicals were indicted for high treason, Redding presents Godwin as a heroic figure standing fast against political despotism.