Shakespeare's Studies in Baconian Light.
By R.M. Theobald, M.A.
Price Six Shillings and Sixpence Nett.
POST FREE, direct from the Author, 6/6.
This volume has been now before the public for more than a year. By many critics it has been received simply as one more contribution to the Bacon-Shakespeare controversy. Others more accurately accept it as something more. The intention of the work is thus stated by the author:
‘My primary object is to show what a vast and neglected quarry of Shakespearean comment is to be found in Bacon's prose works, and to present some striking illustrations of these “Shakespeare” studies. If this is part of the Baconian polemic, it is still more a contribution to Shakespeare studies. I wish to show that this educational field is much larger than has been hitherto supposed... that our controversy is not a barren wrangle about names and persons, but a rich and fruitful excursion into the choicest plains ef literature, a country worthy of investigation on its own account, ond involving other issues than those of authorship, or patent rights in special literary property.’
That the author has not been entirely unsuccesful in this aim, is recognised even by critics who are strongly opposed to the Baconian theory, and who consequently feel themselves bound to commend the author's arguments, even while they dissent from his conclusions. One of the most authoritative expressions of this view is that given by Professor Dowden, in a review contributed to the Bookman. The Professor is a most resolute supporter of the current Shakespearean orthodoxy, nevertheless he can thus speak of these ‘Shakespeare Studies’:
‘Mr. Theobald's book is valuable to the student of Shakespeare; for he can dismiss the Baconian theory tothat “limbo large and broad” described in the tird book of “Paradise Lost”, and can retain some valuable illustrations of the language of the Poet obtained by the industry of Baconians from the writings of the Philosopher.’
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