SIR,—On behalf of the Marlowe Society 1 should like to
register our most emphatic protest at being referred to as a 'lunatic fringe' by Martin Seymour-Smith. Surely before making such disparaging remarks about a twelve-year-old society it would be better first to ascertain from its hon. secretary what the society's aims and objects are and where precisely they stand with regard to the authorship of Shakespeare's plays.
The Marlowe Society is an organisation at popular level, which aims to extend appreciation of Christo- pher Marlowe, both as a poet and a dramatist, by the production of his plays. The society holds meetings, discussions, lectures and other functions. It organises theatre visits and coach outings to historic mansions, castles and houses in the summer months. It also has a research group which since its inception has met at a tavern in the heart of London dating back to 1546.
Whilst we know of Messrs. Calvin Hoffman and Dr David Rhys Williams and their writings, from both of which these two authors have on two occa- sions read our society parts whilst still in MS form, the Marlowe Society itself does not subscribe in any shape or form to the views and theories expressed by these writers, and although our research group afforded them every possible assistance during their brief visits to this country, neither of them would be acceptable to us as members. So. perhaps Mr Sey- mour-Smith would agree to exclude us out of the 'lunatic fringe.'
R. CHARLES LIEBMAN
The Marlowe Society
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