23 
years after William Shakspere’s death, and contained 36 plays, 
18 of these were then printed for the first time, of which number, 
six at the least had never before been heard of. This ‘“ Folio” has 
a remarkable title page, with a wood-cut representing Folly 
laughing and Shaking his spear at Ignorance; and on the opposite 
page is a stolid common-place portrait of William Shakspere. 
Here it may be remarked that the Sonnets which were published 
in 1609 are issued as being by S#axe-Spxare (printed in large 
capitals}, and the dedication is to “Mr. W. H.,” otherwise 
William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, Lord Bacon’s staunch 
friend. 
Shakspere died in 1616—his will gave particular directions 
as to the disposal of his personal property and household goods, 
but there is no mention whatever of any books, papers or writings 
of any kind; nor is there any word or line during his life or in 
his will to show his connection with any printer or publisher. 
Lord Bacon died in 1626, and his will makes special refer- 
ence to his ‘‘ manuscript compositions,” and to all his ‘‘ papers 
whatsoever which are either in cabinets, boxes or presses.”’ 
_ II. Internat anp CorroporativE EvipENcEs. 
a. Numerous hints contained in the plays and sonnets are more 
applicable to Bacon’s life than to Shakspere’s. 
b. Bacon is known to have been a poet of no mean order. He 
referred to himself as a ‘‘ concealed poet,”—and he wrote 
sonnets to the Queen and other distinguished persons. 
ce. The author of the plays displays very considerable knowledge of 
special subjects, which happen to have been those of Lord 
Bacon’s special study, and these are used by the Play writer 
as the basis of many metaphors and similes. For example 
Bacon was par excellence a law student—the plays abound 
in legal references and law scenes. Bacon was a botanist, 
and in his Essay on Gardens he names 30 of the 33 Shake- 
spearean flowers. Bacon studied the laws of sound and 
other scientific subjects—which are constantly referred to 
in the Plays. 
d. There are several alterations in the different editions of the 
same play arising out of circumstances which had come 
under Bacon’s notice during the interim. 
e. The striking omission in the plays, of rural and country scenes 
- such as might have been expected from a man of Shak- 
spere’s experience. ‘There are no scenes of the village green 
or May-pole; no harvest-home; no scenes of children, or 
childhood ; no market or fair ; no home scenes or occupation : 
yet Shakspere was the father of a family, while Bacon mar- 
ried late in life and was childless, 
