William Henry Ireland

“ Still the world accused my father of being a party concerned;— This was frequently mentioned, which rendered him unhappy: He wrote to Mr. Talbot to know if he would make affidavit to the truth of the story, Mr. T—— answered, that if if I would join with him he then would make oath, that no one, except us two, and a third person, knew the secret; this he did, well assured, that I could not enter into any such affidavit, there being no third person at all concern’d; on my refusal, my father of course, laid all the blame on me ”

“ Having heard of the Lord Southampton’s bounty to Shakspear, I determined on writing the correspondence between them on that subject; but, on enquiry, could not learn that any signature of his Lordship’s was in existence, I accordingly formed his mode of writing, merely from myself, and the better to disguise it from Shakspear’s, I wrote the whole with my left hand; this was done to give more authenticity to the story. ”

“ Reflect well what you do, and what determinations you make, for this is the moment that may, in all probability render you comfortable in your future establishment, and future situation, or make you an alien to happiness for ever. I have heard of my situation with the world, as to the papers, at Reading, from many gentlemen there, who all agree, that my state is truly a pitiable one, and all seem to dread the event ”

“ I added, that being a man of large fortune, he did not choose to undergo the impertinent questionings of the world, for which reason, he had bound me on oath, to secrecy, and the better to strengthen this, I hinted, that his father perhaps might have detained the papers illegally in the course of his practice, and should his name be known, it would undoubtedly lead to a discovery, and throw a slur on the honour of his family; by such means, I for some time stopped all enquiries. ”

“ I then show the copy of the letter sent your father; but when I am asked as to the play, and its merits, plot, beauties, &c. I know nothing. It is much wondered at that I can give no account of its coming out; some ask me if I have not in my own possession any scrap of the writings of Shakspear. — So, Sam, I request you will send me some bill, receipt, or letter of his, &c. &c.
By this part of Mr. Talbot’s letter, I mean to prove that he knew nothing of the play of Vortigern, had he aided me in writing it, he certainly would not disclaim all knowledge of its merits, plot, or beauties. ”

“ I likewise offered to make oath, that my father was no ways whatever concerned; but this was over-ruled by some gentleman present. Other committees were held, in which Mr. Talbot’s letter was frequently read, and at one of these, a petition was drawn up, signed by the committee, stating my father’s situation with the world, which I was required to deliver to my friend, when alone, I determined rather than he should undergo so much unmerited blame, that I would myself come forward with the truth. ”

“ I wrote the play of King Henry the Second, of which I only executed three leaves in the old hand, now in my father’s possession; it was thought by many superior to Vortigern.
At length the world in general accused my father of being a party concerned in writing the papers, and then I first began to feel uneasy. ”

“ When Mr. Talbot heard of the play in Ireland he coolly wrote, informing me of his surprise that I had not let him into this secret, for to speak the truth, I had long neglected corresponding according to my promise, having to compose and write all the before mentioned things; I sent him word I had attempted and wrote the play; after this we corresponded regularly, and I always spoke freely on the subject of the manuscripts [.] ”

“ W. H. Ireland. That the world may not suppose any thing lurks behind, this expression in my letter (after what passed between us) I shall explain its meaning—On Mr. Talbot’s quitting me, I made him a promise, that I would not tell the business on any account, unless he was willing, which promise I have not faithfully observed, this I hope will be excused, as my peculiar situation alone caused the breach of it.—
Before I conclude, I shall sum up this account, and am willing to make affidavit to the following declarations, as well as to the whole of this narration. ”

“ At a broker’s in Butcher Row, I one day saw hanging up for sale a coloured drawing, thinking it might serve my purpose, I purchased it, and went to chambers, where, having some water colours, I painted in the letters W. S. and the titles of the several plays, I likewise inserted in the corner, the arms of Shakspear, but was so unacquainted with them as to make the spear run the contrary way to what it really should do; on the back of this drawing was the figure of a Dutchman, this I altered to the character of Shylock, by painting in the knife and scales. ”

“ I shall now speak of Mr. Talbot, who has been so much talked of in the business, and explain the reasons. I had for some time known him, he was also placed with a gentleman of New Inn, but his articles expired before I attempted these Manuscripts; he came frequently to chambers, and told me he was certain the deed which I had given my father was not original, but a production of my own; I must add that he well knew I had a facility at copying old hand writings, having often seen me do so before I wrote the manuscripts ”

“ Amongst other gentlemen who came to view the manuscripts were Dr. P——r, and Dr. W———n; I was in my father’s study at the time they passed the highest encomiums on the style of the papers in general; and I particularly well remember, after having heard read the Profession of Faith, one of them used the following words to my father,
Mr. Ireland, we have very fine things in our church service, and our litany abounds with beauties, but here is a man has distanced us all. ”

“ My ink now failed me, I applied a second time to the book binder’s man, and obtained a larger vial full, the remains of which I have also given to Mr. Wallis: thus I continued, and finding so many join in my father’s belief, I thought with Richard,—
The work went bravely on. At length I determined on writing a play, and having often observed a drawing of my father’s from a design of Mortimer’s, on the subject of Rowena presenting wine to Vortigern, I thought this story might perhaps serve, and accordingly refer’d to Holinshed’s Chronicle, which my father had ”

“ IN Justice to the world, and to remove the odium under which my father labours, by publishing the manuscripts brought forward by me as Shakspear’s, I think it necessary to give a true account of the business, hoping that whatever may occur in the following pages will meet with favor and forgiveness, when considered as the act of a boy. ”

“ But when I had wrote more papers, the world wondered how any man could be weak enough to part with such a treasure; to reconcile them to a belief of this, I added the following story; that in searching among my friend’s deeds, I had found one which ascertained to him some property, long a matter of litigation and dispute: upon this he promised me every thing I should find appertaining to Shakspear, and further, to stop all enquiries as to his name, &c. ”