ABSTRACT

Little is known about the early life of Charles MacFarlane (1799–1858), a Scottish author and traveller of staunch conservative views. From 1816 to 1827 he lived and travelled in Italy, where he met the Shelleys and frequented court circles at Naples. MacFarlane met Godwin on several occasions during 1831 and 1832. This chapter presents an anecdotal memoir taken from MacFarlane’s posthumously published Reminiscences of a Literary Life, in which Godwin is discussed alongside Harriet Martineau. MacFarlane’s criticism of Martineau’s apparent worship of ‘poor fallible human reason’ prepares for his comparatively tolerant account of Godwin in old age. MacFarlane’s first anecdote concerns Godwin’s behaviour during a lively evening at the house of John Martin (1789–1854), the artist celebrated for his scenes of apocalyptic destruction. Mocking the heated discussion of reformist principles, MacFarlane presents an outsiders view of the former revolutionary philosopher preferring whist to political argument.