White, Furnival, and Halliwell-Phillipps,--are agreed that two of the
plays above named were written in 1593, three in 1602, and one in 1609.
This would seem to indicate that during these three years unusual
perplexities or anxieties had surrounded our author; and on noting this,
it occurred to me that on these points the series of papers recently
discovered and called the Southampton manuscripts, which are not yet
published, might give light. I accordingly addressed a letter to the
Director of the British Museum, where the manuscripts are placed for
safe keeping, and received the following reply:--

BRITISH MUSEUM, OFFICE OF CHIEF CURATOR, DEPARTMENT OF MANUSCRIPTS,
LONDON, Feb. 14, 1886.

SIR,--I am directed by the Curator to acknowledge the receipt of
your valued favor of February 1, transmitting for preservation and
reference in the library of this institution--

1. The manuscript of the farewell address of Dr. Charles Gilman
Smith, on his retirement to private life from the presidency of the
Chicago Literary Club;

2. The manuscript of the inaugural address of his successor in the
office,--which is a public trust,--James S. Norton, Esq.;

3. An affidavit of Dr. W.F. Poole, that both manuscripts are
originals, and in the handwriting of their eminent authors.

The Curator further instructs me to convey to you the thanks of the
Board of Governors for these highly important papers, and to state
to you that they may be found on file in sub-compartment No. 113,280