THE ELUSIVE SHAKESPEARE. [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sm,—Your
reviewer, in his letter headed "The Elusive Image," which is published in your issue of November 25th, has treated Sir Sidney Lee with very great discourtesy. The sneer contained in the concluding sentence of his opening paragraph is, I venture to think, Sir, unworthy of the Spectator. and brings it down to the level of some of the less reputable daily papers (" No names, no pack-drill," as we used to say in the Army).
Setting aside the question of good manners, I do not feel that your reviewer has defended himself with any degree of success in his " verbosa et grandis epistula," even though, in Greek fashion, he has brought his children into court to arouse sympathy. He has, in point of fact, been guilty of two further errors in the matter of the Eastward Ho ! incident.
Accurate writing is not of necessity dull, nor is slipshod writing invariably lively. He would do well to take to heart the advice of the Lord High Chancellor :— " Erc I go into court I will rend my brief through,
(Said I to myself—said I,) And I'll never take work I'm unable to do,
(Said I to myself—said I.)" Your reviewer has also made an inexpensive gibe at my academic status. To this I can best reply with the words of Lord Tolloller :— " High rank involves no shame,
We boast an equal claim With him of humble name To be respected ! "
10, Dun ure Street, Maryh ill, Glasgow.
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