第2章

Stevensonsingstheperilsandtheemotions。AllofuswhodidnotsufferunderparentsbroughtupontheviewsofMr。HerbertSpencerhaveendured，inchildhood，agooddealfromghosts。ButitisnothingtowhatJapanesechildrenbear，forourghostsaretothespectresofJapanasmoonlightistosunlight，oraswateruntowhisky。PersonallyImaysaythatfewpeoplehavebeenplaguedbytheterrorthatwalkethindarknessmorethanmyself。AttheearlyageoftenIhadthetalesoftheingeniousMr。EdgarPoeandofCharlotteBronte"putintomyhands"byacousinwhohadservedasaBashiBazouk，andknewnotthemeaningoffear。ButIDID，andperhapsevenNelsonwouldhavefoundout"whatfearwas，"ortheboyintheNorsetalewouldhave"learnedtoshiver，"ifhehadbeenleftalonetoperuse\'JaneEyre，\'andthe\'BlackCat，\'andthe\'FalloftheHouseofUsher，\'asIwas。EverynightIexpectedtowakeupinmycoffin，havingbeenprematurelyburied；ortohearsighsinthearea，followedbylight，unsteadyfootstepsonthestairs，andthentoseealadyallinawhiteshroudstainedwithbloodandclaystaggerintomyroom，thevictimoftoorapidinterment。Astothenotionthatmyrespectedkinsmanhadamadwifeconcealedonthepremises，andthatalunaticaunt，blackinthefacewithsuppressedmania，wouldburstintomychamber，itwascomparativelyaharmlessfancy，andnotparticularlydisturbing。Betweentheseandthe\'YellowDwarf，\'who（thoughonlytheinventionoftheCountessD\'Aulnoy）mightfrightenanervousinfantintohysterics，I

personallyhadasbadatimeofitinthenightwatchesasanyhappyBritishchildhassurvived。ButourogresarenothingtothebogieswhichmakenotonlynightbutdayterribletothestudiousinfantsofJapanandChina。

ChineseghostsareprobablymuchthesameasJapaneseghosts。TheJapanesehaveborrowedmostthings，includingapparitionsandawesomespritesandgrislyfiends，fromtheChinese，andthenhaveimprovedontheoriginalmodel。Nowwehaveaveryfull，complete，andhorror-strikingaccountofChineseharnts（asthecountrypeopleinTennesseecallthem）fromMr。HerbertGiles，whohastranslatedscoresofChineseghoststoriesinhis\'StrangeTalesfromaChineseStudio\'（DelaRue，1880）。Mr。Giles\'svolumesprovethatChinaistheplaceforMessrs。GurneyandMyers，thesecretariesofthePsychicalSociety。

Ghostsdonotliveahole-and-cornerlifeinChina，butboldlycomeoutandtaketheirpartinthepleasuresandbusinessoflife。Ithasalwaysbeenaquestionwithmewhetherghosts，inahauntedhouse，appearwhenthereisnoaudience。WhatdoesthespectreinthetapestriedchamberdowhenthehouseisNOTfull，andnoguestisputintheroomtoburystrangersin，thehauntedroom？Doestheghostsulkandcomplainthatthereis"nohouse，"andrefusetorehearsehislittleperformance，inaconscientiousanddisinterestedlyartisticspirit，whendeprivedoftheartist\'struepleasure，theawakeningofsympatheticemotioninthemindofthespectator？Wegivetoolittlethoughtandsympathytoghosts，whoinouroldcastlesandcountryhousesoftenfindnoonetoappeartofromyear\'sendtoyear\'s-end。Onlynowandthenisaguestplacedinthe"hauntedroom。"ThenIliketofancythegleeoftheladyingreenortheradiantboy，ortheheadlessman，ortheoldgentlemaninsnuff-colouredclothes，ashe，orshe，recognisesthepresenceofaspectator，andpreparestogivehisorherbesteffectsinthefamiliarstyle。

NowinChinaandJapancertainlyaghostdoesnotwaittillpeopleenterthehauntedroom：aghost，likeapersonoffashion，"goeseverywhere。"Moreover，hehasthisartisticexcellence，thatveryoftenyoudon\'tknowhimfromanembodiedperson。Hecounterfeitsmortalitysocleverlythathe（theghost）hasbeenknowntopersonateacandidateforhonours，andpassanexaminationforhim。

Apleasingexampleofthiskind，illustratingthelimitationsofghosts，istoldinMr。Giles\'sbook。AgentlemanofHuaiShangnamedChou-t\'ien-ihadarrivedattheageoffifty，buthisfamilyconsistedofbutoneson，afineboy，"strangelyaversefromstudy，"

asiftherewereanythingstrangeinTHAT。Onedaythesondisappearedmysteriously，aspeopledofromWestHam。Inayearhecameback，saidhehadbeendetainedinaTaoistmonastery，and，toallmen\'samazement，tooktohisbooks。NextyearheobtainedisB。A。degree，aFirstClass。Alltheneighbourhoodwasoverjoyed，forHuaiShangwaslikePembrokeCollege（Oxford），where，accordingtothepoet，"FirstClassmenarefewandfarbetween。"Itwaswhoshouldhavethehonourofgivinghisdaughterasbridetothisintellectualmarvel。Averynicegirlwasselected，butmostunexpectedlytheB。A。wouldnotmarry。Thisnearlybrokehisfather\'sheart。Theoldgentlemanknew，accordingtoChinesebelief，thatifhehadnograndchildtherewouldbenooneinthenextgenerationtofeedhisownghostandpayitallthelittleneedfulattentions。"Picturethenthefathernamingandinsistingontheday；"tillK\'o-ch\'ang，B。A。，gotupandranaway。Hismothertriedtodetainhim，whenhisclothes"cameoffinherhand，"andthebachelorvanished！Nextdayappearedtherealfleshandbloodson，whohadbeenkidnappedandenslaved。ThegenuineK\'o-ch\'angwasoverjoyedtohearofhisapproachingnuptials。Theritesweredulycelebrated，andinlessthanayeartheoldgentlemanwelcomedhismuch-longed-forgrandchild。But，oddlyenough，K\'o-ch\'ang，thoughveryjollyanduniversallybeloved，wasasstupidasever，andreadnothingbutthesportingintelligenceinthenewspapers。

ItwasnowuniversallyadmittedthatthelearnedK\'o-ch\'anghadbeenanimpostor，acleverghost。Itfollowsthatghostscantakeaverygooddegree；butladiesneednotbeafraidofmarryingghosts，owingtotheinveterateshynessoftheselearnedspectres。

TheChineseghostisbynomeansalwaysamalevolentperson，as，indeed，hasalreadybeenmadeclearfromtheaffectingnarrativeoftheghostwhopassedanexamination。EventhespectrewhichanswersinChinatothestatuein\'DonJuan，\'thestatuewhichacceptsinvitationstodinner，isanythingbutamalevolentguest。SomuchmaybegatheredfromthestoryofChuandLu。Chuwasanundergraduateofgreatcourageandbodilyvigour，butdullofwit。

Hewasamarriedman，andhischildren（asintheoldOxfordlegend）

oftenrushedintotheirmother\'spresence，shouting，"Mamma！mammalpapa\'sbeenpluckedagain！"OnceitchancedthatChuwasatawineparty，andthenegus（afavouritebeverageoftheCelestials）haddoneitswork。HisyoungfriendsbettedChuabird\'s-nestdinnerthathewouldnotgotothenearesttemple，entertheroomdevotedtocolouredsculpturesrepresentingthetormentsofPurgatory，andcarryofftheimageoftheChinesejudgeofthedead，theirOsirisorRhadamanthus。OffwentoldChu，andsoonreturnedwiththeaugusteffigy（whichwore"agreenface，aredbeard，andahideousexpression"）inhisarms。Theothermenwerefrightened，andbeggedChutorestorehisworshiptohisplaceontheinfernalbench。

Beforecarryingbacktheworthymagistrate，Chupouredalibationonthegroundandsaid，"Wheneveryourexcellencyfeelssodisposed，I

shallbegladtotakeacupofwinewithyouinafriendlyway。"

Thatverynight，asChuwastakingastirrupcupbeforegoingtobed，theghostoftheawfuljudgecametothedoorandentered。Chupromptlyputthekettleon，mixedthenegus，andmadeanightofitwiththefestivefiend。Theirfriendshipwasneverinterruptedfromthatmoment。ThejudgeevengaveChuanewheart（literally）

wherebyhewasenabledtopassexaminations；fortheheart，inChina，istheseatofalltheintellectualfaculties。ForMrs。Chu，aplainwomanwithafinefigure，theghostprovidedanewhead，ofahandsomegirlrecentlyslainbyarobber。EvenafterChu\'sdeaththegenialspectredidnotneglecthim，butobtainedforhimanappointmentasregistrarinthenextworld，withacertainrankattached。

Thenextworld，amongtheChinese，seemstobeaparadiseofbureaucracy，patentplaces，jobs，mandarins\'buttonsandtails，and，inshort，theheavenofofficialism。AllcivilisedreadersareacquaintedwithMr。Stockton\'shumorousstoryof\'TheTransferredGhost。\'InMr。Stockton\'sviewamandoesnotalwaysgethisownghostship；thereisavigorouscompetitionamongspiritsforgoodghostships，andagreatdealofintrigueandpartyfeeling。Itmaybelongbeforeadisembodiedspectregetsanyghostshipatall，andthen，ifhehaslittleinfluence，hemaybegladtotakeachanceofhauntingtheBoardofTrade，orthePostOffice，insteadof"walking"intheForeignOffice。OnespiritmaywinapostasWhiteLadyintheimperialpalace，whileanotherisputoffwithapositioninanoldcollegelibrary，orperhapshastofollowthefortunesofsomeseedy"medium"throughboarding-housesandthird-

ratehotels。NowthisispreciselytheChineseviewofthefatesandfortunesofghosts。Quisquesuospatimurmanes。

InChina，tobebrief，andtoquoteaghost（whooughttoknowwhathewasspeakingabout），"supernaturalsaretobefoundeverywhere。"

Thisisthefactthatmakeslifesopuzzlingandterribletoachildofabelievingandtrustfulcharacter。TheseOrientalbogiesdonotappearinthedarkalone，oronlyinhauntedhouses，oratcross-

roads，oringloomywoods。Theyareeverywhere：everymanhashisownghost，everyplacehasitspeculiarhauntingfiend，everynaturalphenomenonhasitsinformingspirit；everyquality，ashunger，greed，envy，malice，hasanembodiedvisibleshapeprowlingaboutseekingwhatitmaydevour。Whereourscience，forexample，sees（orrathersmells）sewergas，theJapanesebeholdaslimy，meagre，insatiatewraith，crawlingtodevourthelivesofmen。

Whereweseeastormofsnow，theirlivelierfancybeholdsacomicsnow-ghost，aqueer，grinningoldmanunderavastumbrella。

TheillustrationsinthispaperareonlyafewspecimenschosenoutofmanyvolumesofJapanesebogies。Wehavenotventuredtocopytheverymostawfulspectres，nordaredtobeashorridaswecan。

Thesenativedrawings，too，aregenerallycolouredregardlessofexpense，andthecolouringisoftenhorriblyluridandsatisfactory。

Thisembellishment，fortunatelyperhaps，wecannotreproduce。

Meanwhile，ifanychildlooksintothisessay，lethim（orher）notbealarmedbythepictureshebeholds。Japaneseghostsdonotliveinthiscountry；therearenoneofthemevenattheJapaneseLegation。Justasbears，lions，andrattlesnakesarenottobeseriouslydreadedinourwoodsandcommons，sotheJapaneseghostcannotbreathe（anymorethanaslavecan）intheairofEnglandorAmerica。WedonotyetevenkeepanyghostlyzoologicalgardeninwhichthebogiesofJapanese，Australians，RedIndians，andotherdistantpeoplesmaybeaccommodated。Suchanestablishmentisperhapstobedesiredintheinterestsofpsychicalresearch，butthatformofresearchhasnotyetbeenendowedbyacultivatedandprogressivegovernment。

Thefirsttoattractourattentionrepresents，asIunderstand，thecommonghost，orsimulacrumvulgareofpsychicalscience。Tothiscomplexionmustweallcome，accordingtothebestJapaneseopinion。

Eachofuscontainswithinhim"somewhatofashadowybeing，"likethespectredescribedbyDr。Johnson：somethingliketheEgyptian"Ka，"forwhichthecuriousmayconsulttheworksofMissAmeliaB。

EdwardsandotherlearnedOrientalists。ThemostrecentFrenchstudentofthesematters，theauthorof\'L\'HommePosthume，\'isofopinionthatwedonotallpossessthisdouble，withitspowerofsurvivingourbodilydeath。Hethinks，too，thatourghost，whenitdoessurvive，hasbutrarelytheenergyandenterprisetomakeitselfvisibletooraudibleby"shadow-castingmen。"Insomeextremecasestheghost（accordingtoourFrenchauthority，thatofadiscipleofM。Comte）feedsfearsomelyonthebodiesoftheliving。Innoeventdoeshebelievethataghostlastsmuchlongerthanahundredyears。Afterthatitmizzlesintospectre，andisresolvedintoitselements，whatevertheymaybe。

Asomewhatsimilarand（tomyownmind）probablysoundtheoryofghostsprevailsamongsavagetribes，andamongsuchpeoplesastheancientGreeks，themodernHindoos，andotherancestorworshippers。

Whenfeeding，astheyalldo，orusedtodo，theghostsoftheancestraldead，theygavespecialattentiontotheclaimsofthedeadofthelastthreegenerations，leavingghostsolderthanthecenturytolookaftertheirownsuppliesofmeatanddrink。Thenegligencetestifiestoanotionthatveryoldghostsareoflittleaccount，forgoodorevil。Ontheotherhand，asregardsthelongevityofspectres，wemustnotshutoureyestotheexampleofthebogieinancientarmourwhichappearsinGlamisCastle，ortotheJesuitofQueenElizabeth\'sdatethathauntsthelibrary（andaveryniceplacetohaunt：Iasknobetter，asaghostinthePavilionatLord\'smightcauseascandal）ofanEnglishnobleman。

Withtheseinstantiaecontradictoriae，asBaconcallsthem，presenttoourminds，wemustnot（inthepresentconditionofpsychicalresearch）dogmatisetoohastilyaboutthespanoflifeallottedtothesimulacrumvulgare。Veryprobablyhischancesofaprolongedexistenceareininverseratiotothesquareofthedistanceoftimewhichsevershimfromourmoderndays。NoonehaseverevenpretendedtoseetheghostofanancientRomanburiedintheseislands，stilllessofaPictorScot，oraPalaeolithicman，welcomeassuchanapparitionwouldbetomanyofus。Thustheevidencedoescertainlylookasiftherewereakindofstatuteoflimitationsamongghosts，which，frommanypointsofview，isnotanarrangementatwhichweshouldrepine。

TheJapaneseartistexpresseshisownsenseofthecasualandfluctuatingnatureofghostsbydrawinghisspectreinshakylines，asifthemodelhadgiventheartistthehorrors。Thissimulacrumrisesoutoftheearthlikeanexhalation，andgroupsitselfintoshapeabovethespadewithwhichallthatiscorporealofitslateownerhasbeeninterred。Pleaseremarktheuncomfortedanddismalexpressionofthesimulacrum。Wemustrememberthattheghostor"Ka"isnotthe"soul，"whichhasotherdestiniesinthefutureworld，goodorevil，butisonlyashadowyresemblance，condemned，asintheEgyptiancreed，todwellinthetombandhovernearit。

TheChineseandJapanesehavetheirowndefinitetheoryofthenextworld，andwemustbynomeansconfusetheeternalfortunesofthepermanent，conscious，andresponsibleself，alreadyinhabitingotherworldsthanours，withtheeccentricvagariesofthesemi-materialtomb-hauntinglarva，whichsooftendevelopsanoisyandbear-

fightingdispositionquiteunlikethecharacterofitsproprietorinlife。

Thenextbogie，solimpandwashed-outasheseems，withhiswhite，drooping，drippingarmsandhands，remindsusofthathorridFrenchspeciesofapparition，"lalavandieredelanuit，"whowashesdeadmen\'slineninthemoonlitpoolsandrivers。Whetherthissimulacrumbemeantforthespiritofthewell（foreverythinghasitsspiritinJapan），orwhetheritbetheghostofsomemortaldrownedinthewell，Icannotsaywithabsolutecertainty；buttheopinionofthelearnedtendstotheformerconclusion。NaturallyaJapanesechild，whensentinthedusktodrawwater，willdosowithfearandtrembling，forthislimp，floppyapparitionmightscaretheboldest。Anotherbogie，aterriblecreationoffancy，Itaketobeavampire，aboutwhichthecuriouscanreadinDomCalmet，whowilltellthemhowwholevillagesinHungaryhavebeendepopulatedbyvampires；orhemaystudyinFauriel\'s\'ChansonsdelaGreceModerne\'thevampiresofmodernHellas。

Anotherplan，andperhapsevenmoresatisfactorytoatimidorsuperstitiousmind，istoreadinalonelyhouseatmidnightastorynamed\'Carmilla，\'printedinMr。SheridanLeFanu\'s\'InaGlassDarkly。\'Thatworkwillgiveyouthepeculiarsentimentofvampirism，willproduceagelidperspiration，andreducethepatienttoaconditioninwhichhewillbeafraidtolookroundtheroom。

If，whileinthismood，someonetellshimMr。AugustusHare\'sstoryofCrooglinGrange，hiseducationinthepracticeandtheoryofvampireswillbecomplete，andhewillbeaveryproperandwell-

qualifiedinmateofEarlswoodAsylum。ThemostawfulJapanesevampire，caughtred-handedintheact，ahideous，bestialincarnationofghoulishness，wehavecarefullyrefrainedfromreproducing。

Scarcelymoreagreeableisthebogie，orwitch，blowingfromhermouthamalevolentexhalation，anembodimentofmalignantandmaleficentsorcery。Thevapourwhichfliesandcurlsfromthemouthconstitutes"asending，"inthetechnicallanguageofIcelandicwizards，andiscapable（inIceland，atallevents）ofassumingtheformofsomedetestablesupernaturalanimal，todestroythelifeofahatedrival。Inthecaseofourlastexampleitisveryhardindeedtomakeheadortailofthespectrerepresented。Chinksandcranniesarehisdomain；throughthesehedropsuponyou。Heisamerrybutnotanattractiveorgenialghost。Wheretherearesuch"visionsabout"itmaybeadmittedthatchildren，apttobelieveinallsuchfancies，haveayouthofvariegatedandintensemisery，recurringwithspecialvigouratbed-time。Butwelookagainatourfirstpicture，andhopeandtrustthatJapaneseboysandgirlsareashappyasthesejollylittlecreaturesappear。

GHOSTSINTHELIBRARY

Suppose，whennowthehouseisdumb，Whenlightsareout，andashesfall-

SupposetheirancientownerscomeToclaimourspoilsofshopandstall，Ahme！withinthenarrowhallHowstrangeamobwouldmeetandgo，Whatfamousfolkwouldhauntthemall，Octavo，quarto，folio！

ThegreatNapoleonlayshishandUponthiseagle-headedN，ThatmarksforhisapamphletbannedByallbutscandal-lovingmen，-

AlibelfromsomenamelessdenOfFrankfort，——ArnaudalaSphere，Whereinonespilt，withvenalpen，Lieso\'erthelovesofMoliere。{3}

Anothershade——hedoesnotsee"Boney，"thefoemanofhisrace-

ThegreatSirWalter，thisisheWiththatgravehomelyBorderface。

HeclaimshispoemofthechaseThatrangBenvoirlich\'svalleythrough；

AndTHIS，thatdoththelineagetraceAndfortunesoftheboldBuccleuch；{4}

Forthesewerehis，andthesehegaveToonewhodweltbesidethePeel，ThatmurmurswithitstinywaveTojointheTweedatAshestiel。

Nowthickasmotestheshadowswheel，Andfindtheirown，andclaimashareOfbookswhereinRiboudiddeal，OrRoullandsoldtowiseColbert。{5}

Whatfamousfolkofoldarehere！

Aroyaldukecomesdowntous，AndgreatlywantshisElzevir，HisPagantutor，Lucius。{6}

AndBeckfordclaimsanamorousOldheatheninmoroccoblue；{7}

AndwhodemandsEobanusButstatelyJacquesAugustedeThou！{8}

Theycome，thewise，thegreat，thetrue，Theyjostleonthenarrowstair，ThefrolicCountessdeVerrue，Lamoignon，ay，andLongepierre，Thenewandelderdeadarethere-

Thelordsofspeech，andsong，andpen，Gambetta，{9}Schlegel{10}andtherareDrummondofhauntedHawthornden。{11}

Ah，andwiththose，ahundredmore，Whosenames，whosedeeds，arequiteforgot：

Brave"Smiths"and"Thompsons"bythescore，Scrawleduponmanyashabby"lot。"

ThisplaybookwasthejoyofPott{12}-

Pott，forwhomnownomortalgrieves。

Ournames，likehis，rememberednot，Likehis，shallflutteronfly-leaves！

AtleastinpleasantcompanyWebookishghosts，perchance，mayflit；

Amanmayturnapage，andsigh，Seeingone\'sname，tothinkofit。

Beauty，orPoet，Sage，orWit，Mayopeourbook，andmuseawhile，Andfallintoadreamingfit，Asnowwedream，andwake，andsmile！

LITERARYFORGERIES

Inthewholeamusinghistoryofimpostures，thereisnomoredivertingchapterthanthatwhichdealswithliteraryfrauds。Nonecontainsamoregrotesquerevelationofthesmallnessandthecomplexityofhumannature，andnone——noteventherecordsoftheTichbornetrial，norofgeneralelections——displaysmorepleasantlythedepthsofmortalcredulity。Theliteraryforgerisusuallyacleverman，anditisnecessaryforhimtobeatleastonalevelwiththeliteraryknowledgeandcriticalscienceofhistime。Buthowlowthatlevelcommonlyappearstobe！ThinkofthesuccessofIreland，aboyofeighteen；thinkofChatterton；thinkofSurteesofMainsforth，whotookinthegreatSirWalterhimself，thefatherofallthemthatareskilledinballadlore。Howsimpleweretheartificesoftheseingeniousimpostors，theirresourceshowscanty；

howhand-to-mouthandimprovisedwastheirwholeprocedure！Timeshavealteredalittle。JoSmith\'srevelationandfamed\'GoldenBible\'onlycarriedcaptivethepolygamouspopulusquivultdecipi，reasonersalittlelowerthaneventhebelieversinAnglo-Israel。

TheMoabiteIreland，whooncegaveMr。ShapirathefamousMS。ofDeuteronomy，butdidnotdeludeM。Clermont-Ganneau，wasdoubtlessasmartman；hewas，however，alittletooindolent，alittletooeasilysatisfied。Hemighthaveprocuredbetterandlessrecognisablematerialsthanhisold"synagoguerolls；"inshort，hetookrathertoolittletrouble，andcametothewrongmarket。A

literaryforgeryoughtfirst，perhaps，toappealtothecredulous，andonlyslowlyshoulditcome，withtheprestigeofhavingalreadywonmanybelievers，beforethelearnedworld。TheinscriberofthePhoenicianinscriptionsinBrazil（ofallplaces）wasacleverman。

HisaccountofthevoyageofHiramtoSouthAmericaprobablygainedsomecredenceinBrazil，whileinEnglanditonlycarriedcaptiveMr。Day，authorof\'ThePrehistoricUseofIronandSteel。\'ButtheBrazilians，fromlackofenergy，havedroppedthesubject，andthePhoenicianinscriptionsofBrazilarelesssuccessful，afterall，thantheMoabitestone，aboutwhichonebeginstoentertaindisagreeabledoubts。

Themotivesoftheliteraryforgerarecuriouslymixed；buttheymay，perhaps，beanalysedroughlyintopiety，greed，"push，"andloveoffun。Manyliteraryforgerieshavebeenpiousfrauds，perpetratedintheinterestsofachurch，apriesthood，oradogma。

Thenwehavefraudsofgreed，asif，forexample，aforgershouldofferhiswaresforamillionofmoneytotheBritishMuseum；orwhenhetriestopalmoffhisSamaritanGospelonthe"BadSamaritan"oftheBodleian。Nextwecometoplayfulfrauds，orfraudsintheiroriginplayful，like（perhaps）theShakespearianforgeriesofIreland，thesupercheriesofProsperMerimee，theshamantiqueballads（veryspiritedpoemsintheirway）ofSurtees，andmanyotherexamples。Occasionallyithashappenedthatforgeries，begunforthemeresakeofexertingtheimitativefaculty，andofraisingalaughagainstthelearned，havebeenperseveredwithinearnest。Thehumorousdeceitsare，ofcourse，themostpardonable，thoughitisdifficulttoforgivetheyoungarchaeologistwhotookinhisownfatherwithfalseGreekinscriptions。Butthisstorymaybeamerefableamongstarchaeologists，whoareconstantlyaccusingeachotherofallmannerofcrimes。Thenthereareforgeriesby"pushing"men，whohopetogetareadingforpoemswhich，ifputforthasnew，wouldbeneglected。Thereremainforgeriesofwhichthemotivesaresocomplexastoremainforeverobscure。Wemaygenerallyascribethemtoloveofnotorietyintheforger；suchnotorietyasMacphersonwonbyhisdubiouspinchbeckOssian。Moredifficultstilltounderstandaretheforgerieswhichrealscholarshavecommittedorconnivedatforthepurposeofsupportingsomeopinionwhichtheyheldwithearnestness。Thereisaveinofmadnessandself-deceitinthecharacterofthemanwhohalf-

persuadeshimselfthathisownfalsefactsaretrue。ThePayneColliercaseisthusoneofthemostdifficultintheworldtoexplain，foritisequallyhardtosupposethatMr。PayneCollierwastakeninbythenotesonthefoliohegavetheworld，andtoholdthathewashimselfguiltyofforgerytosupporthisownopinions。

Thefurtherwegobackinthehistoryofliteraryforgeries，themore（asisnatural）dowefindthemtobeofapiousorpriestlycharacter。Whentheclergyalonecanwrite，onlytheclergycanforge。Insuchagespeopleareinterestedchieflyinpropheciesandwarnings，or，iftheyarecarefulaboutliterature，itisonlywhenliteraturecontainssomekindoftitle-deeds。ThusSolonissaidtohaveforgedalineintheHomericcatalogueoftheshipsforthepurposeofprovingthatSalamisbelongedtoAthens。Butthegreatantiqueforger，the"Ionianfatheroftherest，"is，doubtless，Onomacritus。Thereexists，tobesure，anEgyptianinscriptionprofessingtobeofthefourth，butprobablyofthetwenty-sixth，dynasty。TheGermansholdthelatterview；theFrench，frompatrioticmotives，maintaintheoppositeopinion。Butthisforgeryisscarcely"literary。"

InevercanthinkofOnomacrituswithoutacertainrespect：hebegantheforgingbusinesssoveryearly，andwas（apartfromthisfailing）suchanimposingandmagnificentlyrespectablecharacter。

ThesceneoftheerrorandthedetectionofOnomacrituspresentsitselfalwaystomeinakindofpictorialvision。Itisnight，theclear，windlessnightofAthens；notoftheAthenswhoseruinsremain，butoftheancientcitythatsankinashesduringtheinvasionofXerxes。ThetimeisthetimeofPisistratusthesuccessfultyrant；thesceneistheancienttemple，thestatelyhouseofAthene，thefanewherethesacredserpentwasfedoncakes，andtheprimevalolive-treegrewbesidethewellofPosidon。Thedarknessofthetemple\'sinmostshrineislitbytherayofoneearthenlamp。Youdimlydiscernthemajesticformofavenerablemanstoopingaboveacofferofcedarandivory，carvedwiththeexploitsofthegoddess，andwithboustrophedoninscriptions。InhishairthisarchaicAthenianwearsthebadgeofthegoldengrasshopper。HeisOnomacritus，thefamouspoet，andthetrustedguardianoftheancientoraclesofMusaeusandBacis。

Whatishedoing？Why，hetakesfromthefragrantcedarcoffercertainthinstainedsheetsoflead，whereonarescratchedthewordsofdoom，thepropheciesoftheGreekThomastheRhymer。Fromhisbosomhedrawsanotherthinsheetoflead，alsostainedandcorroded。Onthishescratches，inimitationoftheold"Cadmeianletters，"aprophecythat"theIslesnearLemnosshalldisappearunderthesea。"Sobusyisheinthistask，thathedoesnotheartherustleofachitonbehind，andsuddenlyaman\'shandisonhisshoulder！Onomacritusturnsinhorror。Hasthegoddesspunishedhimfortamperingwiththeoracles？No；itisLasus，thesonofHermiones，arivalpoet，whohascaughtthekeeperoftheoraclesintheveryactofapiousforgery。（Herodotus，vii。6。）

PisistratusexpelledthelearnedOnomacritusfromAthens，buthisconductproved，inthelongrun，highlyprofitabletothereputationsofMusaeusandBacis。Wheneveroneoftheiroracleswasnotfulfilled，peoplesaid，"Oh，THATismerelyoneoftheinterpolationsofOnomacritus！"andthematterwaspassedover。

ThisOnomacritusissaidtohavebeenamongtheoriginaleditorsofHomerunderPisistratus。{13}Helivedlong，neverrepented，and，manyyearslater，deceivedXerxesintoattemptinghisdisastrousexpedition。Thishedidby"keepingbacktheoraclesunfavourabletothebarbarians，"andputtingforwardanythatseemedfavourable。

ThechildrenofPisistratusbelievedinhimasspiritualistsgoongivingcredittoexposedandexploded"mediums。"

Havingoncepractiseddeceit，itistobefearedthatOnomacritusacquiredalikingfortheartofliteraryforgery，which，aswillbeseeninthecaseofIreland，growsonamanlikedram-drinking。

OnomacritusisgenerallychargedwiththeauthorshipofthepoemswhichtheancientsusuallyattributedtoOrpheus，thecompanionofJason。PerhapsthemostinterestingofthepoemsofOrpheustouswouldhavebeenhis\'Inferno，\'or[Greektext]，inwhichthepoetgavehisownaccountofhisdescenttoHadesinsearchofEurydice。

ButonlyadubiousreferencetooneadventureinthejourneyisquotedbyPlutarch。WhatevertheexacttruthabouttheOrphicpoemsmaybe（thereadermaypursuethehardandfruitlessquestinLobeck\'s\'Aglaophamus\'{14}），itseemscertainthattheperiodbetweenPisistratusandPericles，liketheAlexandriantime，wasagreatageforliteraryforgeries。Butofallthesefraudsthegreatest（accordingtothemost"advanced"theoryonthesubject）isthe"ForgeryoftheIliadandOdyssey！"TheopinionsofthescholarswhoholdthattheIliadandOdyssey，whichweknowandwhichPlatoknew，arenottheepicsknowntoHerodotus，butlatercompositions，arenotveryclearnorconsistent。ButitseemstobevaguelyheldthataboutthetimeofPericlestherearoseakindofGreekMacpherson。Thisingeniousimpostorworkedonoldepicmaterials，butaddedmanynewideasofhisownaboutthegods，convertingtheIliad（thepoemwhichwenowpossess）intoakindofmockingromance，aGreekDonQuixote。Healsoforgedanumberofpseudo-archaicwords，tenses，andexpressions，andaddedthenumerousreferencestoiron，ametalpracticallyunknown，itisasserted，toGreecebeforethesixthcentury。Ifwearetobelieve，withProfessorPaley，thatthechiefincidentsoftheIliadandOdysseywereunknowntoSophocles，AEschylus，andthecontemporaryvasepainters，wemustalsosupposethattheGreekMacphersoninventedmostofthesituationsintheOdysseyandIliad。Accordingtothistheorythe\'cooker\'oftheextantepicswasfarthegreatestandmostsuccessfulofallliteraryimpostors，forhedeceivedthewholeworld，fromPlatodownwards，tillhewasexposedbyMr。Paley。

TherearetimeswhenoneisinclinedtobelievethatPlatomusthavebeentheforgerhimself，asBacon（accordingtotheotherhypothesis）wastheauthorofShakespeare\'splays。Thus"Platothewise，andlarge-browedVerulam，"wouldbe"thefirstofthosewho"

forge！Nexttothisprodigiousimposture，nodoubt，thefalse\'LettersofPhalaris\'arethemostimportantofclassicalforgeries。

Andtheseillustrate，likemostliteraryforgeries，theextremeworthlessnessofliterarytasteasacriterionoftheauthenticityofwritings。ForwhatmaneverwasmoreamanoftastethanSirWilliamTemple，"themostaccomplishedwriteroftheage，"whomMr。

BoyleneverthoughtofwithoutcallingtomindthosehappylinesofLucretius，-

Quemtu，dea，temporeinomniOmnibusornatumvoluistiexcellererebus。

Well，theornateandexcellentTempleheldthat"theEpistlesofPhalarishavemorerace，morespirit，moreforceofwitandgenius，thananyothershehadeverseen，eitherancientormodern。"SomuchforwhatBentleycallsTemple\'s"NicetyofTast。"ThegreatestofEnglishscholarsreadilyprovedthatPhalarisused（inthespiritofprophecy）anidiomwhichdidnotexisttowriteaboutmattersinhistimenotinvented，but"manycenturiesyoungerthanhe。"SolettheNicetyofTemple\'sTastanditsabsolutefailurebeawarningtouswhenweread（ifreadwemust）GermancriticswhodenyHomer\'sclaimtothisorthatpassage，andPlato\'srighttohalfhisaccepteddialogues，ongroundsofliterarytaste。Andfarewell，asHerodotuswouldhavesaid，totheLettersofPhalaris，ofSocrates，ofPlato；totheLivesofPythagorasandofHomer，andtoalltheotheruncountedliteraryforgeriesoftheclassicalworld，fromtheSibyllinepropheciestothebattleofthefrogsandmice。

EarlyChristianfraudswere，naturally，pious。WehavetheapocryphalGospels，andtheworksofDionysiustheAreopagite，whichwerenotexposedtillErasmus\'stime。Perhapsthemostimportantofpiousforgeries（ifforgerybeexactlytherightwordinthiscase）

wasthatof\'TheFalseDecretals。\'"Ofasudden，"saysMilman，speakingofthepontificateofNicholasI。（ob。867A。D。），"Ofasuddenwaspromulgated，unannounced，withoutpreparation，notabsolutelyunquestioned，butapparentlyover-awingatoncealldoubt，anewCode，whichtotheformerauthenticdocumentsaddedfifty-ninelettersanddecreesofthetwentyoldestPopesfromClementtoMelchiades，andthedonationofConstantine，andinthethirdpart，amongthedecreesofthePopesandoftheCouncilsfromSylvestertoGregoryII。，thirty-ninefalsedecrees，andtheactsofseveralunauthenticCouncils。""Thewholeiscomposed，"Milmanadds，"withanairofprofoundpietyandreverence。"TheFalseDecretalsnaturallyassertthesupremacyoftheBishopofRome。

"TheyarefullandminuteonChurchProperty"（theyweresuretobethat）；infact，theyremindoneofanotherforgery，piousandAryan，\'TheInstitutesofVishnu。\'"LethimnotlevyanytaxuponBrahmans，"saystheBrahmanforgeroftheInstitutes，which"camefromthemouthsofVishnu，"ashesat"cladinayellowrobe，imperturbable，decoratedwithallkindsofgems，whileLakshmiwasstrokinghisfeetwithhersoftpalms。"TheInstitutestookexcellentcareofBrahmansandcows，astheDecretalsdidofthePopeandtheclergy，andtheearliestPopeshadaboutasmuchhandintheDecretalsasVishnuhadinhisInstitutes。Hommenay，in\'Pantagruel，\'didwelltohavethepraiseoftheDecretalssungbyfillesbelles，blondelettes，doulcettes，etdebonnegrace。AndthenHommenaydranktotheDecretalsandtheirverygoodhealth。"O

divesDecretales，tantparvousestlevinbonbontrouve"——"O

divineDecretals，howgoodyoumakegoodwinetaste！""Themiraclewouldbegreater，"saidPantagruel，"iftheymadebadwinetastegood。"ThemostthatcannowbedonebythedevoutfortheDecretalsis"topalliatetheguiltoftheirforger，"whosename，likethatoftheGreekMacpherson，isunknown。

IftheearlyChristiancenturies，andtheMiddleAges，werechieflyoccupiedwithpiousfrauds，withforgeriesofgospels，epistles，andDecretals，theimpostorsoftheRenaissancewerebusy，asanOxfordscholarsaid，whenheheardofanewMS。oftheGreekTestament，"withsomethingreallyimportant，"thatiswithclassicalimitations。AftertheTurkstookConstantinople，whenthelearnedGreekswerescatteredalloverSouthernEurope，whenmanygenuineclassicalmanuscriptswererecoveredbythezealofscholars，whentheplaysofMenanderwereseenonce，andthenlostforever，itwasnaturalthatliteraryforgeryshouldthrive。Asyetscholarswereeagerratherthancritical；theywerecollectingandunearthing，ratherthanminutelyexaminingtheremainsofclassicliterature。

Theyhadfoundsomuch，andeveryyearwerefindingsomuchmore，thatnodiscoveryseemedimpossible。ThelostbooksofLivyandCicero，thesongsofSappho，theperishedplaysofSophoclesandAEschylusmightanydaybebroughttolight。Thiswastheverymomentfortheliteraryforger；butitisimprobablethatanyforgeryoftheperiodhasescapeddetection。Threeorfouryearsagosomeonepublishedabooktoshowthatthe\'AnnalsofTacitus\'

werewrittenbyPoggioBracciolini。ThisparadoxgainednomoreconvertsthanthebolderhypothesisofHardouin。ThetheoryofHardouinwasallthattheancientclassicswereproductionsofalearnedcompanywhichworked，inthethirteenthcentury，underSeverusArchontius。Hardouinmadesomeexceptionstohissweepinggeneraltheory。Cicero\'swritingsweregenuine，headmitted，sowerePliny\'s，ofVirgiltheGeorgics；thesatiresandepistlesofHorace；Herodotus，andHomer。Alltherestoftheclassicswereamagnificentforgeryoftheilliteratethirteenthcentury，whichhadscarceanyGreek，andwhoseLatin，abundantinquantity，inqualityleftmuchtobedesired。

Amongliteraryforgers，orpassersoffalseliterarycoin，atthetimeoftheRenaissance，Anniusisthemostnotorious。Annius（hisrealvernacularnamewasNanni）wasbornatViterbo，in1432。HebecameaDominican，and（afterpublishinghisforgedclassics）rosetothepositionofMaitreduPalaistothePope，AlexanderBorgia。

WithCaesarBorgiaitissaidthatAnniuswasneverongoodterms。

Hepersistedinpreaching"thesacredtruth"tohishighnessandthis（accordingtothedetractorsofAnnius）wastheonlyusehemadeofthesacredtruth。ThereisalegendthatCaesarBorgiapoisonedthepreacher（1502），butpeopleusuallybroughtthatchargeagainstCaesarwhenanyoneinanywayconnectedwithhimhappenedtodie。AnniuswroteontheHistoryandEmpireoftheTurks，whotookConstantinopleinhistime；butheisbetterrememberedbyhis\'AntiquitatumVariarumVoluminaXVII。cumcomment。Fr。Jo。Annii。\'

Thesefragmentsofantiquityincluded，amongmanyotherdesirablethings，thehistoricalwritingsofFabiusPictor，thepredecessorofLivy。OneissurprisedthatAnnius，whenhehadhishandin，didnotpublishchoiceextractsfromthe\'LibriLintei，\'theancientRomanannals，writtenonlinenandpreservedinthetempleofJunoMoneta。AmongtheotherdiscoveriesofAnniusweretreatisesbyBerosus，Manetho，Cato，andpoemsbyArchilochus。OpinionhasbeendividedastowhetherAnniuswaswhollyaknave，orwhetherhewashimselfimposedupon。Or，again，whetherhehadsomegenuinefragments，andekedthemoutwithhisowninventions。ItisobservedthathedidnotdovetailthereallygenuinerelicsofBerosusandManethointotheworksattributedtothem。Thismaybeexplainedastheresultofignoranceorofcunning；therecanbenocertaininference。"EventheDominicans，"asBaylesays，admitthatAnnius\'sdiscoveriesarefalse，thoughtheyexcusethembyaverringthatthepiousmanwasthedupeofothers。ButalearnedLutheranhasbeenfoundtodefendthe\'Antiquitates\'oftheDominican。

ItisamusingtorememberthatthegreatanderuditeRabelaiswastakeninbysomepseudo-classicalfragments。Thejokerofjokeswashoaxed。Hepublished，saysMr。Besant，"acoupleofLatinforgeries，whichheproudlycalled\'Exreliquiisvenerandaeantiquitatis，\'consistingofapretendedwillandacontract。"Thenameofthebookis\'Exreliquiisvenerandaeantiquitatis。LuciiCuspidiiTestamentum。ItemcontractusvenditionisantiquisRomanorumtemporibusinitus。LugduniapudGryphium（1532）。\'

PomponiusLaetusandJovianusPontanuswereapparentlyauthorsofthehoax。

Socratessaidthathe"wouldneverliftuphishandagainsthisfatherParmenides。"ThefathersoftheChurchhavenotbeensorespectfullytreatedbyliteraryforgersduringtheRenaissance。

The\'FlowersofTheology\'ofSt。Bernard，whichweretobeaprimrosepathadgaudiaParadisi（Strasburg，1478），werereally，itseems，theproductionofJeandeGarlande。Athanasius，his\'ElevenBooksconcerningtheTrinity，\'areattributedtoVigilius，acolonialBishopinNorthernAfrica。AmongfalseclassicsweretwocomicLatinfragmentswithwhichMuretusbeguiledScaliger。

Meursiushassuffered，posthumously，fromtheattributiontohimofaverydisreputablevolumeindeed。In1583，abookon\'Consolations，\'byCicero，waspublishedatVenice，containingthereflectionswithwhichCiceroconsoledhimselfforthedeathofTullia。ItmightaswellhavebeenattributedtoMrs。Blimber，anddescribedasrepletewiththethoughtsbywhichthatladysupportedherselfundertheafflictionofneverhavingseenCiceroorhisTusculanvilla。TherealauthorwasCharlesSigonius，ofModena。

SigoniusactuallydiddiscoversomeCiceronianfragments，and，ifhewasnotthebuilder，atleasthewastherestorerofTully\'sloftytheme。In1693，FrancoisNodot，conceivingtheworldhadnotalreadyenoughofPetroniusArbiter，publishedanedition，inwhichheaddedtotheworksofthatlaxthoughaccomplishedauthor。

Nodot\'sstorywasthathehadfoundawholeMS。ofPetroniusatBelgrade，andhepublisheditwithatranslationofhisownLatinintoFrench。StilldissatisfiedwiththeexistingsupplyofPetronius\'humourwasMarchena，awriterofSpanishbooks，whoprintedatBaleatranslationandeditionofanewfragment。Thisfragmentwasverycleverlyinsertedinapresumedlacuna。Inspiteoftheironicalstyleoftheprefacemanyscholarsweretakeninbythisfragment，andtheircredulityledMarchenatofindanewmorsel（ofCatullusthistime）atHerculaneum。Eichstadt，aJenaprofessor，gravelyannouncedthatthesamefragmentexistedinaMS。

intheuniversitylibrary，and，underpretenceofgivingvariousreadings，correctedMarchena\'sfaultsinprosody。AnothershamCatullus，byCorradino，aVenetian，waspublishedin1738。

ThemostfamousforgeriesoftheeighteenthcenturywerethoseofMacpherson，Chatterton，andIreland。Space（fortunately）doesnotpermitadiscussionoftheOssianicquestion。ThatfragmentsofOssianiclegend（ifnotofOssianicpoetry）surviveinoralGaelictraditions，seemscertain。HowmuchMacphersonknewofthese，andhowlittleheusedtheminthebombasticprosewhichNapoleonloved（andspelled"Ocean"），itisnexttoimpossibletodiscover。ThecaseofChattertonistoowellknowntoneedmuchmorethanmention。

ThemostextraordinarypoetforhisyearswhoeverlivedbeganwiththeforgeryofashamfeudalpedigreeforMr。Bergum，apewterer。

Irelandstartedonhiscareerinmuchthesameway，unlessIreland\'s\'Confessions\'bethemselvesafraud，basedonwhatheknewaboutChatterton。Oncelaunchedinhiscareer，Chattertondrewendlessstoresofpoetryfrom"Rowley\'sMS。"andthemunimentchestinSt。

MaryRedcliffe\'s。JacobBryantbelievedinthemandwrotean\'Apology\'forthecredulous。Bryant，whobelievedinhisownsystemofmythology，mighthavebelievedinanything。WhenChattertonsenthis"discoveries"toWalpole（himselfsomewhatofamediaevalimitator），GrayandMasondetectedtheimposture，andWalpole，hisfeelingsasanantiquaryinjuredtooknomorenoticeoftheboy。

Chatterton\'sdeathwasduetohisprecocity。Hadhisgeniuscometohimlater，itwouldhavefoundhimwiser，andbetterabletocommandthefataldemonofintellect，forwhichhehadtofindwork，likeMichaelScottinthelegend。

Theendoftheeighteenthcentury，whichhadbeenpuzzledordivertedbytheChattertonandMacphersonfrauds，witnessedalsothegreatandfamousShakespearianforgeries。WeshallneverknowtheexacttruthaboutthefabricationoftheShakespeariandocuments，and\'Vortigern\'andtheotherplays。Wehave，indeed，theconfessionoftheculprit：habemusconfitentemreum，butMr。W。H。

Irelandwasaliarandasolicitor\'sclerk，soversatileandaccomplishedthatwecannotalwaystrusthim，evenwhenheisnarratingthetaleofhisowniniquities。ThetemporarybutwideandturbulentsuccessoftheIrelandforgeriessuggeststhedisagreeablereflectionthatcriticismandlearningare（orahundredyearsagowere）worthverylittleasliterarytouchstones。

Apolishedandlearnedsociety，asocietydevotedtoShakespeareandtothestage，wastakeninbyaboyofeighteen。YoungIrelandnotonlypalmedoffhisshamprosedocuments，mostmakeshiftimitationsoftheantique，butevenhisridiculousversesontheexperts。

JamesBoswellwentdownonhiskneesandthankedHeavenforthesightofthem，and，feelingthirstyafterthesedevotions，drankhotbrandyandwater。Dr。Parrwasnotlessreadilygulled，andprobablytheexperts，likeMalone，whoheldaloof，wereasmuchinfluencedbyjealousyasbyscience。ThewholestoryofyoungIreland\'sforgeriesisnotonlytoolongtobetoldhere，butformsthetopicofanovel（\'TheTalkoftheTown\'）byMr。JamesPayn。

Thefraudsinhishandsloseneithertheirhumournortheircomplicatedinterestofplot。Tobebrief，then，Mr。SamuelIrelandwasagentlemanextremelyfondofoldliteratureandoldbooks。Ifwemaytrustthe\'Confessions\'（1805）ofhiscandidson，Mr。W。H。

Ireland，amoreharmlessandconfidingoldpersonthanSamuelnevercollectedearlyEnglishtracts。Livinginhislearnedsociety，hisson，Mr。W。H。Ireland，acquirednotonlyapassionforblackletters，butadesiretoemulateChatterton。Hisfirststepinguiltwastheforgeryofanautographonanoldpamphlet，withwhichhegratifiedSamuelIreland。HealsowroteashaminscriptiononamodernbustofCromwell，whichherepresentedasanauthenticantique。Findingthatthecriticsweretakenin，andattributedthisnewbusttotheoldsculptorSimeon，Irelandconceivedaverylowandnotunjustifiableopinionofcriticaltact。Criticswouldfindmeritinanythingwhichseemedoldenough。Ireland\'snextachievementwastheforgeryofsomelegaldocumentsconcerningShakespeare。JustasthebadmanwhodeceivedtheguilelessMr。

Shapiraforgedhis\'Deuteronomy\'ontheblankspacesofoldsynagoguerolls，soyoungIrelandusedthecut-offendsofoldrentrolls。Henextboughtupquantitiesofoldfly-leavesofbooks，andonthisancientpaperheindictedashamconfessionoffaith，whichheattributedtoShakespeare。Beingastrong"evangelical，"youngMr。IrelandgaveaveryProtestantcomplexiontothisedifyingdocument。Andstillthecriticsgapedandwonderedandbelieved。

Ireland\'smethodwastowriteinaninkmadebyblendingvariousliquidsusedinthemarblingofpaperforbookbinding。Thisstuffwassuppliedtohimbyabookbinder\'sapprentice。WhenpeopleaskedquestionsastowhenceallthenewShakespearemanuscriptscame，hesaidtheywerepresentedtohimbyagentlemanwhowishedtoremainanonymous。Finally，theimpossibilityofproducingthisgentlemanwasoneofthecausesofthedetectionofthefraud。Accordingtohimself，Irelandperformedprodigiesofacuteness。Oncehehadforged，atrandom，thenameofacontemporaryofShakespeare。Hewasconfrontedwithagenuinesignature，which，ofcourse，wasquitedifferent。Heobtainedleavetoconsulthis"anonymousgentleman，"

rushedhome，forgedthenameagainonthemodelofwhathadbeenshowntohim，andreturnedwiththissignatureasanewgiftfromhisbenefactor。Thatnamelessfriendhadinformedhim（heswore）

thatthereweretwopersonsofthesamename，andthatbothsignaturesweregenuine。Ireland\'simpudencewentthelengthofintroducinganancestorofhisown，withthesamenameashimself，amongthecompanionsofShakespeare。If\'Vortigern\'hadsucceeded（anditwasactuallyputonthestagewithallpossiblepomp），Irelandmeanttohaveproducedaseriesofpseudo-ShakespearianplaysfromWilliamtheConquerortoQueenElizabeth。Whenbusywith\'Vortigern，\'hewasdetectedbyafriendofhisownage，whopouncedonhimwhilehewasatwork，asLasuspouncedonOnomacritus。Thediscoverer，however，consentedto"standin"withIreland，anddidnotdivulgehissecret。Atlast，afterthefiascoof\'Vortigern，\'

suspicionwaxedsostrong，anddisagreeableinquiriesfortheanonymousbenefactorweresonumerous，thatIrelandfledfromhisfather\'shouse。Heconfessedall，and，accordingtohisownaccount，fellundertheundyingwrathofSamuelIreland。AnyreaderofIreland\'sconfessionswillbelikelytosympathisewitholdSamuelasthedupeofhisson。Thewholestoryistoldwithacuriousmixtureofimpudenceandhumour，andwithgreatplausibility。YoungIrelandadmitsthathis"desireforlaughter"

wasalmostirresistible，whenpeople——learned，pompous，sagaciouspeople——listenedattentivelytothepapers。Onefeelshalfinclinedtoforgivetherogueforthesakeofhisyouth，hiscleverness，hishumour。Butthe\'Confessions\'are，notimprobably，almostasapocryphalastheoriginaldocuments。Theywerewrittenforthesakeofmoney，anditisimpossibletosayhowfarthesamemercenarymotiveactuatedIrelandinhisforgeries。Dr。Ingleby，inhis\'ShakespeareFabrications，\'takesaveryrigidviewoftheconduct，notonlyofWilliam，butofoldSamuelIreland。Sam，accordingtoDr。Ingleby，wasapartnerinthewholeimposture，andtheconfessionwasonlyoneelementintheschemeoffraud。OldSamuelwastheFaginofabandofyoungliteraryDodgers。He"positivelytrainedhiswholefamilytotradeinforgery，"andasforMr。W。H。Ireland，hewas"themostaccomplishedliarthateverlived，"whichiscertainlyadistinctioninitsway。Thepointofthejokeisthat，afterthewholeconspiracyexploded，peoplewereanxioustobuyexamplesoftheforgeries。Mr。W。H。Irelandwasequaltotheoccasion。Heactuallyforgedhisown，or（accordingtoDr。Ingleby）hisfather\'sforgeries，and，bythusincreasingthesupply，hedelugedthemarketwithshamshams，withimitationsofimitations。Ifthisaccusationbecorrect，itisimpossiblenottoadmirethecolossalimpudenceofMr。W。H。Ireland。Dr。Ingleby，intheardourofhishonestindignation，pursuesWilliamintohisprivatelife，which，itappears，wasfarfromexemplary。Butliterarycriticismshouldbecontentwithaman\'sworks；hisdomesticlifeismatter，asAristotleoftensays，"foraseparatekindofinvestigation。"OldRitsonusedtosaythat"everyliteraryimpostordeservedhangingasmuchasacommonthief。"W。H。

Ireland\'smeritswereneverrecognisedbythelaw。

HowoldRitsonwouldhavepunished"theoldcorrector，"itis"betteronlyguessing，"asthewickedsay，accordingtoClough，inregardtotheirownpossiblechastisement。Thedifficultyistoascertainwhotheapocryphaloldcorrectorreallywas。Thestoryofhismisdeedswasrecentlybroughtbacktomindbythedeath，atanadvancedage，ofthelearnedShakespearian，Mr。J。PayneCollier。

Mr。Collierwas，toputitmildly，theShapiraoftheoldcorrector。

Hebroughtthatartist\'sworksbeforethepublic；butWHY？howdeceived，orhowinfluenced，itisoncemore"betteronlyguessing。"

Mr。CollierfirstintroducedtothepublicnoticehissingularcopyofafolioShakespeare（secondedition），loadedwithancientmanuscriptemendations，in1849。Hisaccountofthisbookwassimpleandplausible。Hechanced，oneday，tobeintheshopofMr。

Rudd，thebookseller，inGreatNewportStreet，whenaparcelofsecond-handvolumesarrivedfromthecountry。Whentheparcelwasopened，theheartoftheBibliophilebegantosing，forthepacketcontainedtwooldfolios，oneofthemanoldfolioShakespeareofthesecondedition（1632）。Thevolume（markthis）was"muchcropped，"greasy，andimperfect。NowthestudentofMr。Hamilton\'s\'Inquiry\'intothewholeaffairisalreadypuzzled。Inlaterdays，Mr。ColliersaidthathisfoliohadpreviouslybeeninthepossessionofaMr。Parry。Ontheotherhand，Mr。Parry（thenaveryagedman）failedtorecognisehisfolioinMr。Collier\'s，forHIScopywas"cropped，"whereastheleavesofMr。Collier\'sexamplewereNOTmutilated。Here，then（\'Inquiry，\'pp。12，61），wehavetwodescriptionsoftheoutwardaspectofMr。Collier\'sdubioustreasure。Inoneaccountitis"muchcropped"bythebook-binder\'scruelshears；intheother，itsunmutilatedconditioniscontrastedwiththatofacopywhichhasbeen"cropped。"Inanycase，Mr。

Collierhoped，hesays，tocompleteanimperfectfoliohepossessed，withleavestakenfromthefolionewlyacquiredforthirtyshillings。Butthevolumeshappenedtohavethesamedefects，andthehealingprocesswasimpossible。Mr。Collierchancedtobegoingintothecountry，wheninpackingthefoliohehadboughtofRuddhesawitwascoveredwithmanuscriptcorrectionsinanoldhand。

ThesehewasinclinedtoattributetooneThomasPerkins，whosenamewaswrittenonthefly-leaf，andwhomighthavebeenaconnectionofRichardPerkins，theactor（flor。1633）Thenotescontainedmanyvariousreadings，andverynumerouschangesinpunctuation。SomeoftheseMr。Collierpublishedinhis\'NotesandEmendations\'（1852），andinaneditionofthe\'Plays。\'Therewasmuchdiscussion，muchdoubt，andthefoliooftheoldcorrector（whowaspresumedtohavemarkedthebookinthetheatreduringearlyperformances）wasexhibitedtotheSocietyofAntiquaries。ThenMr。CollierpresentedthetreasuretotheDukeofDevonshire，whoagainlentitforexaminationtotheBritishMuseum。Mr。HamiltonpublishedintheTimes（July，1859）theresultsofhisexaminationoftheoldcorrector。Itturnedoutthattheoldcorrectorwasamodernmyth。