violently and persistently opposed by all who survive him, is it not
a good opportunity to suggest that perhaps respect has been paid for
a long enough time to the doggerel over Shakespeare's grave?


GOOD FRIEND FOR IESVS SAKE FORBEARE,
TO DIGG THE DVST ENCLOASED HEARE:
BLESTE BE EY MAN TY SPARES THES STONES,
AND CVRST BE HE TY MOVES MY BONES. {45}



When we consider how little we know of the great poet, and the
possibility of finding something more by an examination of his tomb,
it seems as if, with proper care, an investigation might be made
that would possibly reward the trouble." The writer concludes thus-
-"Is it not advisable, then, to avoid waiting till it is too late?
That is to say, unless, as I may fear, it is too late already."

12.--Warwickshire Man, A, in the Argosy, of Oct., 1879, in an
article entitled, "How Shakespeare's Skull was Stolen." The
vraisemblance of this narrative is amazing. But for the poverty of
the concluding portion, which is totally out of keeping with the
foregoing part, one might almost accept this as a narrative of fact.

13.--Gower, Ronald, in the Antiquary, of August, 1880, vol. ii, p.
63, "The Shakespeare Death-Mask," concludes thus--"But how, may it
be asked, can proof ever be had that this mask is actually that of
Shakespeare? Indeed it can never be proved unless such an
impossibility should occur as that a jury of matrons should