The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-07-26

sDerB.
fSHAKESPEARIAN DISCOVERY
TO the Editor Of the Eueniag Mail. -lL W \
Sir-I trust to your sense OF Justice, to say moth
ing of my ancient connection with your establish
ment (see especially the Evening Nail of the sum-
mer of $780, for the insertion OF this letter with
as much prominence as you gave to that OF Mr..
Hamilton in your paper of July 2. As live
tirely in the country, and take in only a weekly
publication, did not see your paper containing
that letter until an hour ago. shall reply to it
briefly and positively.
First, as to the penciings in the corrected folio,
1882, which 1 accidentally discovered L never
made peneil-mark on the pages of the book,
cepting crosses, ticks, lines, to direct my atten
ton to particular emendations.* l have not seen |
it for four five years, but remember that the
board at the end there was no fiyleaf there) ! |
wrote various words, and made several notes, which
never attempted to erase. There they probably |
remain; and if the pencilings, of which Mr.. Ham |
ton speaks in the body of the volume made by
me, they may be compared with my writing on the |
last board, and by that writing may be convicted,
unless somebody which do not believe have taken
the pains to initiate my hand. What is clearly
meant though somewhat darkly expressed, is that
am the author both of the pencilings and of the
notes in ink.
have asserted the contrary on oath in an affidavit
sworn and filed in the Queens Bench, on the Sth OF
January, 1856 | assert the contrary now, and, II
any person will give me the opportunity am ready
to confirm it by my uiua Doce testimony and to en-,
counter the most minute, the most searching, and
the most hostile examination. g..
| have shown and sw orn that this very book was
in the possession of gentleman named Parry about
half century ago, given to him by relation
named George Gray. Mr. Parry recognized 1t in
stantly annotated as it is now and since it came
into my hands, in 1s49 have not made the slight
est addition to the notes in pencil or in ink.
Then. to the binding, contend that it is con-
siderable older than the reign OF George II, and
that the date of the hyleaf affords criterion as
to the date when the leather covering was put on,
and for this reason, that fyeaves are often added
at a subsequent period for the protection OF the
tite-page because the original have been torn
or DESTROYED Upon my own shelves have several
distinct proofs of this fact, bpt will only mention
one. 1t is copy Of Samuel Daniels I'dnegyrlcke
Congratalutory folio Il ,603), which the poet pre-
sented to the Countess of Pembroke; Daniel wrote
her name on the gilt velum cover, and she put her
signature the title-page. IT ia likely that Dan
iel also placed an inscription on the fyeaf, which
has disappeared, perhaps to CRAFTY the cupidity OF
substitute has been iuserted it has watermark but
a moments inspection is enough to show that il vas
much posterior to the time when the book was
printed.
The rough calf binding of the corrected folio,
1882, contend is old it Is the same Lord Files
meres copy of the edition; the Gy-eaf de-
! scribed by Mr.. Hamilton is comparatively new
! but have all along admitted privately and in
print that the rough calf binding of the corrected
folio, 1892, was the second or third coat the book
had worn.
In the same way, as to imperfect erasures and
mind or better information the part of the maker
OF the old marginal notes, have been as distinct
and emphatic as any body in both the editions of
nv volume of Notes and lamentations in 1852 and
1858. Mr.. Hamilton can, think, point out nothing
that have not anticipated.
Soon after discovered the volume, and before
had written more than letter or two in the
Aheneunt upon it, produced it before the Coun-
Gil of the Shakespeare Society-at general
meeting of that body-at two or three evening as
sembes of the Society of Antiquares; and, in or
der that it mic hit not escape the severest scrutiny
bv daylight I ADVERTISED that it would be left for
whole morning in the library of that society for the
inspection of ANYBODY who wished to examine it.
l did not see Mr.. Hamilton there, but one
who inspected it discovered, or at least pointed
out, any of the pencil-marks, which it seems are
now visible.
| shall say nothing of the indisputable character
of many of the cancellations. The Rev. Mr.. Dyce
has declared, in his own handwriting, that "some
of them are so admirable that they can hardly be
conjectural," and in the course of his recent i'm
preston of the works of Shakespeare, he has pro-
nounced such as he unavoidably adopted, irresist-
BILE, indubitabls, iniallibe, &c. All this might
have appropriated to myself; and, having burnt
the corrected folio, 1882, might have established
for myself brighter Shakesperian reputation than
all the commentators put together. If, therefore,
have committed fraud, it has been merely gra-
tuitous. certainly preferred a different course,
in spite of the warning given me by friend in the
outset that my enemies would never forgive my
discovery, and that their hostility would outlVe
my existence,
/ am determined not to make the poor remainder
of my life miserable by further irritating contests
this is the last word shall submit TO say upon
the subject in print; but if the matter be brought
before proper legal tribunal shall be prepared
in every way to yindcate my integrity.
May be allowed to add word in answer to GER
tain paragraphs stating that the late Duke of Dew
onshire gave me large sum for my correct d To-
Ito, 1892? 1t was free gift on my part, frankly
accepted by his grace, although he afterwards
knowing ofmy family bereavements and consequent
expenses) unsuccesstully endeavored to persuade
me to accept ESQ for the volume. The duke was
at Chatsworth when sent my letter to him. stat
ing that the book was poor return for the many
essential and substantial favors had received at
his hands during period of 80 years, and on the
Goth of June, 1858, his grace wrote note con-
tanning the following words:
at is impossible for me to express how much
am gratied by your present, on which shall place
great value, not only for the merits and interest
that accompany it, but as proof of your enduring
friendship and appreciation.
1t is clear, therefore, that if without motive
imposed upon the public, did not without con-
science victimze the man to whom was already SO
deeply indebted.