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。