Note A — Chapter XVI

But see Supplementum III. postea, and the evidence there given; evidence which is also interesting as showing how, at any rate sometimes, “the oracle was worked,” with reference to that curious historical problem, the apparent baptism of the children of papists by the minister of the parish church. In Ireland, I have been told, at one time the authorities of the then establishment accepted the mere “allegation” that certain rites had been complied with by the popish clergy.

Dr. Elzé is grossly wrong in arguing that because Shakespeare’s name is found in the Register of Christenings in the parish church of Stratford-on-Avon, therefore Shakespeare’s father was a Protestant. Such a conclusion founded on such proof is simply ludicrous. — See Elzé’s “Life of Shakespeare” (Bell & Sons), p. 457. One really is disposed to distrust many of the conclusions of “German learning” when Elzé argues like this. To my mind, much of “the critical” work (so called in a certain department) may be hereafter found to be full of flaws from building on too narrow a foundation of evidence. How little man can know of the Past which affords him evidence to hang even a dog on with absolute, as distinct from moral, certitude! (I wish especially not to be thought to imply any disrespect towards the great German people, whose love for him who is for all nations and all time fills me with the profoundest admiration. But Truth is no respecter of persons when it detects errors, or the probabilities of errors, on the part of such as should be “masters of those that know.”)

For even the Rigmaydens, of Woodacre Hall, Garstang (harbourers of Campion in 1581), in the most Catholic part of Lancashire, apparently had at least some of their children baptised at the parish church. — See Colonel Fishwick’s “Parish of Garstang” (Chetham Soc.)