saying that Shakespeare's works are the only true record of
his genius ; but when he complains that a well-known Shakespearian scholar has put forward statements "for which he utterly fails to give any reasonable ground," he does not seem to be aware that throughout this ponderous volume he has fallen into the same error. He judges of the truth or falsehood of the reports handed down to us by his feelings, and commends an American writer for doing the same. No one wishes to accept the tale that Shake- speare died from the effects of a drinking-bout, nor need any one accept it; but it is another thing to assert boldly that it is false, which Mr. Walter does. Having convinced himself that in the poet, purity and elevation of character went hand-in-hand with genius, he regards him as a model man in every relation in life. Very amusing is the attempt made by the writer to explain away the deer-stealing legend. As against the truth of it, we must remember, he says, that Sir Thomas Lucy was the most important resident in the neighbourhood, and that before Shakespeare left for London, an unpleasant feeling existed between the Knight and the Shakespeare family. Moreover, close on the period named, was not Lucy elected Member for the County of Warwick ? Such being the circumstances, the inference is drawn that deer- stealing was impossible. But if we do not like to give up the romantic story, we may suppose that Shakespeare, in some hour of youthful excitement, did trespass in pursuit of game, and was brought before Sir Thomas. So on one page we read that the tale is a most unreasonable tradition, and on the next that it may be true. Wonderful to relate, Mr. Walter admits that Shakespeare may have been a scapegrace in his youth; yet he is sure that his earliest relations with Anne Hathaway were faultless, and that the couple had been properly joined according to the rites of the Romish Church, before they were married as Protestants. Of this the writer has no doubt, and to prove the truth of his assertion, he has discovered that in Shakespeare's day there was a chantry in the roof of the Old Manor House at Shottery. After such a discovery, the author is really too modest in allowing that he cannot define the precise nature of the ceremonial service. "Sufficient is it to know that it satisfied the conscience of a manly Christian youth of unblemished character and instinctive honour, and that his envied bride realised it as in every way meeting her most delicate sensibilities as a well-born English maiden." The way in which Shakespeare is mixed up in this volume with modern persons is very comical. William the Conqueror, Mr. Bright, the late Emperor of Germany, Lord Rose- bery, Mr. W. H. Smith, and "the octogenarian Gladstone, whose wondrous stores of literature are inexhaustible as their torrent application soars above his contemporary generations," are among the names that appear in these pages, with little if any reason for their insertion. Perhaps the allusion to Mr. Gladstone will suffice as a specimen of Mr. Walter's composition. If not, take the fol- lowing:—" Reader ! should it ever fall to your lot for the Angel of Death, through Stratford-on-Avon Holy Trinity Passing Soul's Bell to sound on your ear the gathering of a grain into the Ever- lasting Garmer, you will on that spot probably realise a sense of immortality of the soul rarely extended to human imagination." If the volume contains a great deal of superfluous matter, and some absurdities as well, Mr. Walter deserves credit for his enthusiasm, and also for the really interesting local facts to be found amongst his fictions. The beautiful illustrations, which run through the pages like a thread of gold, will delight every one who loves Nature and Shakespeare.
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