PREFACE.

In July, 1882, the compiler of this work issued a small privately-printed Bibliography of the Bacon-Shakespeare Literature, including all the titles then ascertained—63 in number. Since that time, additional titles and interesting material have so accumulated that he has thought proper to present this volume—the work, or amusement of leisure evenings—believing that the discussion has reached a point that entitles it to as complete a Bibliography as can be made. While personally entertaining no doubts as to Shakespeare’s authorship, he believes that the discussion has its compensating features in inciting a study of the Shakespearian dramas, and of the works as well of the dramatists and philosophers—in fact, the literary history—of the Elizabethan age. It is, perhaps, due to the various theorists that the ground-work of their opinions be known, and it is due no less to the memory of William Shakespeare that these adverse theories, and the arguments in answer, shall be so presented as to enable any one, who wishes to investigate the question, to form an intelligent opinion for himself.

As to the Bibliography, so far as titles are concerned, no pains have been spared to make it complete. It is believed to contain a list of all the books, pamphlets, and magazine articles on the question, as well as a large proportion of the reviews, the more important newspaper articles, etc. Of the latter, a few may be included that are unimportant—as it has been difficult to decide just where to draw the line—but the intention has been to include nothing, except some collateral matters of special interest, that is not of some use in the formation of an opinion.

While the endeavor has been to embody in some part of it, in a general way, all the main points of the discussion, this work does not pretend to be a complete reflex of all the arguments or the evidence adduced. It is simply a list of the titles, to which are added such brief memoranda as will give the main facts in regard to this literature, and something as to its authors. By the notes and extracts, an effort has been made to relieve the tediousness of a dry Bibliography. Where extracts are given, such have usually been chosen as were thought to embody some interesting feature, or a hint of the argument—these to be distributed so evenly as to leave no doubts of a bibliographical impartiality. In short, the aim has been to point out to those who desire this information just where it may be found. In common with one of the writers, who has adopted an expression of Lord Bacon’s: “We have only taken upon us to ring a bell, to call other wits together, which is the meanest office.”

And as to the extracts, an apology is doubtless due to the writers. It may well be appalling to the author of a book or an article, bristling with telling arguments and eloquent passages, to find here a quotation wrenched from its appropriate context, embodying only a single idea, and that, perhaps, the one he values least—or, possibly, none at all. The compiler admits all this in advance, with the single remark that he has made no attempt—it being simply impossible within the limits of this work—to do any sort of justice to the various productions, many of them learned, ingenious, and cultured.

The compilation and arrangement has not been without its difficulties. With such a varied mass of material—many of the articles being without any proper titles, it has been impossible to follow an exact Bibliographical formula. Though crude in this respect, it is hoped that it has been so arranged as to be intelligible. The titles have been placed chronologically as best calculated to show the history and progress of the discussion, thus rendering it necessary to divide a few, such as Notes and Queries, which would more properly come together. As it has been found impracticable to give a full explanation of many of the titles, the general tenor of each has been thus indicated:

For Shakespeare, Pro-Sh.

Against Shakespeare, Anti-Sh.

Unclassified, Unc.

the last including all articles which for any reason can not be classed as For or Against.

A recapitulation of some of the main features of the Bibliography may be interesting:

Of the 255 titles, there are, For Shakespeare, 117; Against Shakespeare, 73; Unclassified, 65. In addition to the above, there are about 100 sub-titles, of more or less importance, represented by a, b, c, etc.

As to nationality, the origin of the articles (titles) may be classed as follows: American, 161; English, 69; Australian, 10; Scotch, 4; Canadian, 3; German, 2; French, 2; Italy, Holland, Ireland, and India, 1 each.

Taken chronologically, there appeared in 1848, 1; 1852, 1; 1853, 1; 1856, 9; 1857, 11; 1860, 2; 1862, 1; 1863, 2; 1865, 1; 1866, 12; 1867, 8; 1869, 2; 1870, 2; 1874, 28; 1875, 11; 1876, 2; 1877, 7; 1878, 9; 1879, 10; 1880, 9; 1881, 27; 1882, 30; 1883, 61; 1884, to date, 8. This can not, of course, be relied upon as giving more than an approximate idea of the relative progress of the controversy, as the titling of articles—especially those of minor importance—has been much more practicable in the later years.

There has been ample opportunity for an examination of these works. Of the 255 titles, copies of 249 are in the library of the compiler. The titles lacking are 48, 92, 109, 117; also, the articles under 151 and 161 in part.

In explanation of the different ways of spelling Shakespeare, Shakespearian, etc., in these pages, it is proper to say that the intention has been to follow, in all titles and extracts, the methods adopted by the various writers.

The compiler tenders his acknowledgments to many friends and correspondents for information and assistance, in all cases courteously furnished. An additional favor will be conferred by further information as to any errors or omitted titles.

It will be seen by a reference to the notes, that not less than five new works are foreshadowed, some of which will be published. Evidently the discussion is not ended. The subject is one that appeals too strongly to the iconoclastic spirit of the age for that. It is likely to afford as endless a theme as the authorship of Junius, or the personality of Homer. If the authorship of the Shakespearian dramas is not now settled, in that sense it never will be settled, for it is not, in its very nature, susceptible of such proof as will satisfy everybody. And though the world may always hold to its faith in William Shakespeare, none the less will there always be doubters.

W. H. W.

Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, April 10th, 1884.

BACON-SHAKESPEARE

CONTROVERSY.