Mary W Shelly
am by birth a Genevese; and my family is one of the most
distinguished of that republic. My ancestors had been for many
years counsellors and syndics; and my father had filled
several public situations with honour and reputation. He was
respected by all who knew him for his integrity and
indefatigable attention to public business. He passed his
younger days perpetually occupied by the affairs of his
country; a variety of circumstances had prevented his marrying
early
nor was it until the decline of life that he became a
husband and the father of a family.