Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-25
of women we're played by youths, who,
after maturity, took the mems parts.

But the connection between ben.
johnson and Shakespeare does not end
with the elegy which appears in the
Hemminge and Condell 1898 edition,
and from which quotations have been
made. The names OF Shakespeare and
Ben. Johnson as friends and the most
successful producers Of the early dra-
matte literature OF the English language
are so closely associated that the life OF
one of necessity involves the frequent
mention Of the other. Ben. johnson
writes in his Discoveries as follows
VIZ: 81 remember the players have
often mentioned it as an honour to
Shakespeare that in writing whatsoever
he penned) he never blotted out line.
Ny answer hath been, Would ne hdd
biottcd out thousand! which they
thought malevolent speech. l had not
told posterity this but for their igno-
rance, who chose that circumstance to
commend their friend by, wherein he
most faulted and to justify mine
own candour, for / loved the
man, and to honor his memory, on
this side idolatly, as much as any. lie
was. indeed, honest, and OF an open
and free nature, had an excellent fancy,
brave notions, and gentle expressions
wherein he flowed with that felicity, that
sometimes it was necessary he should be
stopped SuhiBiindnduserdt, as Au-
eustns said to Haterius. His wit was in
his own power would the rule OF it bad
been SO too. Many times he fell into
those things which could not escape
laughter as when he said, in the person
of Caesar, one speaking to him,
.Cnsar, thou dost me wrong
He replied:
Caesar did never wrong, but with Just csuso,'
and such like, which were ridiculous.
But be redeemed his vices with his viz
tues there was ever more IN him to be
praised than to be pardoned."
But it is a remarkable fact as bearing
upon this discussion, and conclusive
one in support of Shakespeare's author
ship OF these plays that Ben. johnson
not only knew Shakespeare, and has
borne the testimony to his genius and
authorship that has been qnoted, but he
also knew Bacon thoroughly, and has
left behind him the following description
Of Bacon as speaker-viz. There
happened in my time one noble speaker,
who was full OF gravity in his speaking.
Hislangusge. where he could spare orpass
by Jest, was nobly sensorious. No man
ever spoke more neatly, more pressly,
more weightily, or suffered less empti-
ness, less idleness in what he uttered.
No member of his speech but what
consisted of his own graces. His hear
ers could not cough or look aside from
him without loss. lie commanded when
he spoke and had his judges angry and
pleased at his devotion. No man had
their affections more in bis power. The
fear OF every man that heard him was
lest he should make an end. But, in
addition to this, as eyidencng still fur
Their Ben. Johnson's acquaintance with
Bacon, in January, 1920, Bacon cele-
brated his entering upon his sixtieth
wear, at York House IN London, sur
rounded by his friends. Ben. Johnson
WAS there and wrote on this occasion
some OF the happest of his rhymes
The facts stated show conclusively that
Ben. johnson knew who wrote Shakes
peare's plays, and the evidence he has
lett shows indisputably that Shakespeare
did it. In addition TO this Ben. johnson
died August G, 1887, surviving Bacon
eleven years and Shakespeare twenty
one.
Shakespeare had the patronage of
Lord Southampton, one OF the most ac-
complshed noblemen at the court of
Elizabeth. To tins distinguished no.
bleman Shakespeare dedicated hls
"Venus and Adonis," which he de-
scribed in the dedication as the first
heir of my invention" This occurred
in 1893, and in the following year he
dedicated the Rape of Lucrece also
to Lord Southampton, saying IN the
dedication. "The love / dedicate to
your lordship is without end" and the
terms Of the entire dedication indicate
the friendliest and lundliest relations be-
tween Shakespeare and the nobleman.
II is a well-attested fact in Shakespeare's
life that Lord Southampton aided him
with money and was his friend. 1t is of
this Lord Southampton that Macaulay
speaks in his essay on Bacon, when he
SAYS, THAT accomplished nobleman,
who will be remembered TO the latest
ages as the generous and discerning
patron of Shakespeare. But 1t IS re-
markable fact that this Lord Southamp-
ton, who was Shakespeare patron and
friend. was also at one time the friend
of Bacon. He was also the friend OF
the Earl Of Essex, and was tried and
convicted with the Earl OF Essex when
that nobleman was condemned to death,
but the Queen spared his life, and he
was still incarcerated when she died,
After her death he was liberated and
Bacon addressed him a most servile let
ter protesting the friendllest feelings to-
wards him. And what is more remark
able still. as well as most profoundly in
teresting, is that when Bacon, as Lord
High Chancellor, was impeached for
malefeGsance in Office, and sent bis writ
ten confession to the House OF
Lords, that body sent committee to
him to inquire if he had signed the con-
fession sent to them, and on that com
mittee was Lord southampton, the friend
of Shakespeare, the friend of Essex, and
formerly the friend of Bacon, and il was
to that committee, in the presence Of
Lord Southampton, that Bacon made
his memorable declaration-viz. "My
Lords, it is my act, my hand, my heart.
/ beseech your Lordships to be merciful
to broken reed" Are not these facts
conclusive proof, also, as to the author
ship OF Shakespeare's plays? Lord
Southampton, like Ben. johnson, knew
both Bacon and Shakespeare, and knew
that Shakespeare wrote the plays at
tributed to him.
1t is also thoroughly established that
Shakespeare was a member Of a club
that met at the Mermaid, celebrated
tavern, and that there for many years he
Joined in the "feast of reason and the
flow Of soul with Ben. Jonson, Beau
mont, Fletcher, Selden, Gotten, Carew,
Dome, and many other OF his contempt
raries. 1t is thoroughly attested that
early in his dramatic career he attained
to q principal share CT the management
and the profits of the theatres TO which
he was attached. His name stands
second in the list of the proprietors of
tho Globa and Rlarkfriars theatre c in