The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-05-19

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In the latter part of the sixteenth century
two great lights suddenly blazed out in the
galaxy of British intellects So far did they
surpass all who went before, that each is
taken as the founder of new system, both
as the beginners of a new era So great ha We
they seemed to all who have come after that
comparison is considered high praise. So far
did they outshine all contemporaries in their
several lines, that those are for the most part
only quoted as witnesses to these two; and
men, scientists and explorers these two gave
it that distinctive glory which still attaches
to the Eliza bethan are. These men were
certain dramatist whose name is in dis
pute, but usually printed shakespeare"
and Francis Bacon, Baron Verulam and
viscount of ST. Adams. Comes now
the Hon. Ignatius Donnelly and offers
to prove that these two were one,
that ''Shakespeare" is q nom de plume,
adopted in mild burlesque OF a GER
tain witty actor and stage manager; that
the authorship of the plays was concealed for
political reasons, and thus the ignorant actor
has been credited with the philosophers
work. 1t is as if we should place Pixies
Peak upon Popocatapetl, or add the strength
OF Samson to the muscles and stature OF
Goliah. If we must add the creates philoso-
pher down TO that time to the greatest Ora
matist OF al time, the colossal intellect thus
evoked overpowers the common mind. and
we can only remit the explanation to the
philosophy of miracles
Let us, therefore, examine Mr. Donnelly's
argument carefully, and add to it what
others have discovered, for the theory is 10
new thing For nearly half a century it has
been gaining aGherents; at least go books
and pamphlets thereon have been issued and
literary men are already ranged in two hos
tile camps-the Baconians and Shakespear-
ians. This article is merely an attempt to
present the evidence in compact form, ard
point out the strongest and weakest counts
In Mr. Donnelly's plea, just issued.
THE CoETRASTED TWO.
No two men could differ more widely than
the known philosopher and the supposed
dramatist. Lord Bacon was nobly born,
rich except during one period of his life and
learned beyond oil men of his time, a re-
fined courtier, a profound lawyer and an
able judge, an aristocrat in politics and
life long companion of nobemen and the
adherents of royalty OF the supposed
dramatist the exact reverse was true in
every respect until the middle or latter part
of his life, when he had gained fame and
fortune. The contrasted evidence is amaz-
ing and startlingly suggestive. Of Lord
Bacon we know much Of any man in
English history. He was born at York
house, in the Strand, London, Jan. q, 1861,
and died at Highgate, April 9, 1925. His
father was a baronet, Sir Nicholas Bacon;
his mother of noble blood and extraordinary
talents. The few specimens eytant OF her
letters are perfect models of graceful ard
classical English The style Is noticeably
''Shakespearian" She adopted Puritan
views, and her letter warming her sons,
Francis and Anthony, against the theatre,
bears a striking similarity to passages in the
great dramas. Francis was precocious and
his health was delicate. AT years of age
he read the books usually perused by his
parents; at IL he produced al essay on the
laws of the imagination; at IL he entered
Trinity college, Cambridge, whence he grad
uated with high honols, and at the age of 16
he issued protest against the philosophy of
Aristotle, then preferred at the college, and
against the general system of teaching.
'They learn nothing" he said, except to be-
Geve. They are like a becalmod ship, they
move but by the wind of other mems breath
and have no oars of their own to steer
withal.' From childhood he was polite and
witty.
''How old are you, my pretty boyg' asked
Queen Elizabeth when his mother brought
him to court.
1.-Two years younger than your majesty's
happy reign" replied the witty little cour-
tier.
He read all the Greek and Latin authors
critically, spoke French and Italian, and
had some knowledge of Danish and German.
He Travelled on the continent of Europe,
studied in Paris, read law two years, and was
! admitted to the bar at the age Of 81. st %
he was made counsel extraordinary to the
queen; at - he was chosen member Of parlia-
ment for Middlesex, and devoted himself to
a reform of the laws. Subsequently be was
special counsel to King James [; then soiic-
itor general, attorney general, and finally
lord high chancellor. In 1913 lie was created
Baron Verulam, and in lG2l Niscount of
St Adams
We turn now to the alleged dramatist, and
ere at once almost lost in obscurity. At first
view he would seem no more real historical
person than Romulus or Agamemnon We
know that there is name, ''Shakespeare,"
attached to immortal works, from which we
form exalted conceptions of the author, end
portrait accompanying the works, which is
admitted to he an improvement" or Eattcr.
ing imitation of very different picture tTe
also know that there was an individual whose
name bore very slight similarity 70 the
other in sound, AID closer resemblance IN
! smelling; that he came at On early age from
| SratfCrd q I-Avou. lived thirty wears in Lon.
| don, grew very rich as manager Of n theatre
returned to his native place and spent his
few remaining years in easy living, diversified
| by some rather discrcdItablc actions Prt
/ that Individuai's real tame cannot know.
| since the few of his relatives who could write
| sitl4ed II IN at least ATTY i've different WAYS
| from Jacquespeer, Shachspeer and Jaxpyr,
/ though the slow evolution Of Shaxpeer
| Shackspyr, Shackspeer and Shaxper, down
to Shakspecr and finally Shakspere. at which
| It rested during the later years Of William
/ Shaksperc, after he had tried thirteen differ
ent ways OF spelling it, only to make its final
! change some time after his death into
! shakespeare when his heirs claimed tho
| honor of the dramatic authorship and it was
asserted that the family had been founded by
| noted warrior who was knigtted for his
| bravery with the spear. And. finally, there
Is some evidence that the original was the
Norman nick name, for peasant, Jacques
Pierre, which was pronounced Zhackspeair
! and meant Jack Peter"
! For information of this William Shaxper
! or Shakspere we turn first to the public and
! official annals of the time and find not a line
/ We turn next to the letters and other pro-
| auctions of eminent men of the time, and 1t
| was indeed an age of greatness There were
Robert Earl of Essex. Sir Francis Drake.
Sir Walter Raleigh. Cecil I.c-i Burleigh.