The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-01-22
Plays of Shakspeare-Who Wrote Them?

An interesting controverDhas arisen in
the literary world in England, as we'll 40 in
this country, rs to the authorship of the
plays generally attributed TO William Sbak.
speare. William Henry Smith, of London
has impugned the validity of his claims,
and transferred his claims to Lord Bacon
This bold hereto commences his onslaught
on the Bard Of Avon by citing n passage
from the writings Of Alexander Pope, in
which the poet gives it rs bis opinion that
the plays attributed to William Shakes.
peare were pieces produced 10y unknown
authors, or fitted up for the theatre while
it was under his administration, and no
other owner claiming them, they were ad
judged to him, as they give strays to the
lord of the manor"
Mr.. Smith describes Shakespeare as an
uneducated man, incapable of producing
the drama with which his name is associa.
ted, and represents him AS no higher than
theatrical factotum, being sole owner of
the wardrobe and the properties; in word,
as the manager and superintendent of the
mechanical department of the theatre.
In favor Of the pretensions of Lord Ba-
con, he puts forward the following argu-
ment: Bacon, in 1857, composed the Dumb
Shows, acted before Queen Elizabeth, at
Greenwich. 1t was a mask, and this is
adduced in proof of his dramatic capabili-
ties; besides, his familiar conversation is
known TO have been peculiarly dramatic in
tone. In 1921 he was politically disgraced,
and devoted himself to collect and arrange
his literary works. In 1923 appeared
ha Of, ba Ill oh ha1
been attributed to Shakespeare. Now, who
made the selection who alone was com.
petent to make it who could classify the
SO plays contained in the foliol Clearly
no person but the author himself, or a per-
son deputed by the author. The folio ap
peared under the names Of john Huminge
and Henry Condell, the players; but Mr..
Smith considers the real editor was Ben
Johnson, who acted under the directions Of
Lord Bacon. Mr.. Smith, in support of his
theory, quotes letter from Tobie Mat
thews to the Lord Viscount st. Albans,
containing this remarkable postscript: The
most prodigious wit ever knew of my ma
tion, and Of this side of the sea, is of your
lordship's name, though he be known by
another" BY another" it is assumed
that Tobie alludes to Shakespeare, who usurp-
ed the honors due 10 Bacon.
1t is a we'll known fact that Shakespeare
was singuarlv regardless of fame. His edi-
tor, Malone, when critc;zing the play call.
ed the London Prodigal," says: "One
knows not which most to admire-the i'm
rudenco of the printer in atfixing our great
poets name to a comedy, publicly acted a.
his own theatre, of which it is very i'm
probable that he should have written a
single line, or Shakspeare's negligence OF
fame in suffering such a piece 10 be impu.
ted to him without taking the least of it."
This indifference is indeed very startling
circumstance; but was il not equally remark.
able in Lord Bacon, il he were the author
Of the dramas attributed to Shakspearel
Mr.. Smith denies that Shakespeare had suffi-
cient talents or learning to wiite these dra-
mas; but he wrote the poems Of Venus
and Adonis," of "Tarquin and Lucreece,'
and the "Sonnets."
These are proofs of his abilities, and TO
make good Mr.. Smiths argument, he must
prove that Shakespeare was not their author.
But there is other evidence of Shakspeare's
genius in the praises of him accorded by
ms NlhIHihltNCA ~ us,
Take the following from Fuller: MANY
were the wit combats between Shakespeare
and Ben Jonson. l beheld them like a
Spanish great galIeon and an English man
of war. Master Jonsou, like the former
was built far higher in learning, solid, but
| slow in his performances; Shakespeare, like
the latter, less in bulk, but lighter in sail.
ing, could turn with all tides, tack about
and take advantage Of all winds by the
quickness of his wit and invention"
All educated persons must take lively
interest in whatever relates TO the fame o
the Bard of Avon, and we have therefore
given the salient features of this new con
t.oversy. Each must decide for himself be
tween Bacon and Shakespeare. Mr.. Smith
| delivered lecture on the subject at th,
Beethoven Rooms, Harley street, London
but it does not appear tha. he has as ye
made any converts.