Poet-Lore - Monthly Magazine Devoted to Shake-Speare Browning and the Comparative Study of Literature #266664

For the reasons which I shall presently state, I came to the con elusion that the first Opinion expressed by Mr. Halliwell-phillipps was the correct one, and on the assumption that in this Diary we have proof that Shakespeare took the side Of the Commoners in the enclosure dispute at stratford-on-avon, I proceeded to work out the results both with respect to Shakespeare's own character, and the interpretation now to be put on many passages in his plays. Some of these results I stated in articles in the Contemporary Review and in the Athendum of June, 1885, as also in lectures delivered in 1886; and I prepared for a complete treatment of the whole subject in a projected book on Shakespeare as Citizen. My friend, Dr. Furnivall, however, questioned the reading Of that Shakespeare entry on which my fine superstructure was based. Let it all, I replied, like the baseless fabric Of a vision, dissolve, nor leave a wrack behind, if the foundation of it will not stand the test Of strict and impartial investigation: 1 SO Dr. Furnivall, having kindly offered me half an hour to make the best of my case before the experts of the New Shakspere Society, though not a member, I gladly availed myself of the chance of gaining fresh light on the subject from the criticisms that might be offered. And accordingly, Dr. F urnivall having then the chair, at a March meeting of the society in 1886, I read the paper now published for the first time.