At the moment of the future poet's departure for Eton, it is well to remind the readers of his story, that he was the eldest child of his parents,--being senior to his eldest sister by a year and nine months. Mistakes having been made about the poet in his earlier years, which would not have been made by his biographers, had they been aware of this fact, it is necessary to warn readers not to mistrust their present guide because he differs on this matter from several previous authorities. Here is the list of the offspring of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Shelley, of Field Place, with some particulars of the children, taken from the pedigree, mentioned in a previous chapter:-- 1. Percy Bysshe Shelley, eldest son and heir-apparent, born at Field Place 4th August, 1792, baptized at Warnham 7th September following. 2. Elizabeth Shelley, eldest daughter, born 10th May, 1794, baptized at Warnham 2nd July following. 3. Hellen Shelley, 2nd daughter, born 29th January, 1796, baptized 27th February following; died an infant, buried at Warnham 25th May, 1796. 4. Mary Shelley, 3rd daughter, born 9th June, 1797, baptized at Warnham 17th of July following. 5. Hellen Shelley, 4th daughter, born 26th September, 1799, baptized at Warnham 6th October following. 6. Margaret Shelley, 5th daughter, born 20th of January, 1801, baptized at Warnham 12th March following. 7. John Shelley, 2nd son, born 15th of March, 1806, baptized at Warnham 14th of August following.