Stevensonsingstheperilsandtheemotions。AllofuswhodidnotsufferunderparentsbroughtupontheviewsofMr。HerbertSpencerhaveendured，inchildhood，agooddealfromghosts。ButitisnothingtowhatJapanesechildrenbear，forourghostsaretothespectresofJapanasmoonlightistosunlight，oraswateruntowhisky。PersonallyImaysaythatfewpeoplehavebeenplaguedbytheterrorthatwalkethindarknessmorethanmyself。AttheearlyageoftenIhadthetalesoftheingeniousMr。EdgarPoeandofCharlotteBronte"putintomyhands"byacousinwhohadservedasaBashiBazouk，andknewnotthemeaningoffear。ButIDID，andperhapsevenNelsonwouldhavefoundout"whatfearwas，"ortheboyintheNorsetalewouldhave"learnedtoshiver，"ifhehadbeenleftalonetoperuse'JaneEyre，'andthe'BlackCat，'andthe'FalloftheHouseofUsher，'asIwas。EverynightIexpectedtowakeupinmycoffin，havingbeenprematurelyburied；ortohearsighsinthearea，followedbylight，unsteadyfootstepsonthestairs，andthentoseealadyallinawhiteshroudstainedwithbloodandclaystaggerintomyroom，thevictimoftoorapidinterment。Astothenotionthatmyrespectedkinsmanhadamadwifeconcealedonthepremises，andthatalunaticaunt，blackinthefacewithsuppressedmania，wouldburstintomychamber，itwascomparativelyaharmlessfancy，andnotparticularlydisturbing。Betweentheseandthe'YellowDwarf，'who（thoughonlytheinventionoftheCountessD'Aulnoy）mightfrightenanervousinfantintohysterics，I
personallyhadasbadatimeofitinthenightwatchesasanyhappyBritishchildhassurvived。ButourogresarenothingtothebogieswhichmakenotonlynightbutdayterribletothestudiousinfantsofJapanandChina。
ChineseghostsareprobablymuchthesameasJapaneseghosts。TheJapanesehaveborrowedmostthings，includingapparitionsandawesomespritesandgrislyfiends，fromtheChinese，andthenhaveimprovedontheoriginalmodel。Nowwehaveaveryfull，complete，andhorror-strikingaccountofChineseharnts（asthecountrypeopleinTennesseecallthem）fromMr。HerbertGiles，whohastranslatedscoresofChineseghoststoriesinhis'StrangeTalesfromaChineseStudio'（DelaRue，1880）。Mr。Giles'svolumesprovethatChinaistheplaceforMessrs。GurneyandMyers，thesecretariesofthePsychicalSociety。
Ghostsdonotliveahole-and-cornerlifeinChina，butboldlycomeoutandtaketheirpartinthepleasuresandbusinessoflife。Ithasalwaysbeenaquestionwithmewhetherghosts，inahauntedhouse，appearwhenthereisnoaudience。WhatdoesthespectreinthetapestriedchamberdowhenthehouseisNOTfull，andnoguestisputintheroomtoburystrangersin，thehauntedroom？Doestheghostsulkandcomplainthatthereis"nohouse，"andrefusetorehearsehislittleperformance，inaconscientiousanddisinterestedlyartisticspirit，whendeprivedoftheartist'struepleasure，theawakeningofsympatheticemotioninthemindofthespectator？Wegivetoolittlethoughtandsympathytoghosts，whoinouroldcastlesandcountryhousesoftenfindnoonetoappeartofromyear'sendtoyear's-end。Onlynowandthenisaguestplacedinthe"hauntedroom。"ThenIliketofancythegleeoftheladyingreenortheradiantboy，ortheheadlessman，ortheoldgentlemaninsnuff-colouredclothes，ashe，orshe，recognisesthepresenceofaspectator，andpreparestogivehisorherbesteffectsinthefamiliarstyle。
NowinChinaandJapancertainlyaghostdoesnotwaittillpeopleenterthehauntedroom：aghost，likeapersonoffashion，"goeseverywhere。"Moreover，hehasthisartisticexcellence，thatveryoftenyoudon'tknowhimfromanembodiedperson。Hecounterfeitsmortalitysocleverlythathe（theghost）hasbeenknowntopersonateacandidateforhonours，andpassanexaminationforhim。
Apleasingexampleofthiskind，illustratingthelimitationsofghosts，istoldinMr。Giles'sbook。AgentlemanofHuaiShangnamedChou-t'ien-ihadarrivedattheageoffifty，buthisfamilyconsistedofbutoneson，afineboy，"strangelyaversefromstudy，"
asiftherewereanythingstrangeinTHAT。Onedaythesondisappearedmysteriously，aspeopledofromWestHam。Inayearhecameback，saidhehadbeendetainedinaTaoistmonastery，and，toallmen'samazement，tooktohisbooks。NextyearheobtainedisB。A。degree，aFirstClass。Alltheneighbourhoodwasoverjoyed，forHuaiShangwaslikePembrokeCollege（Oxford），where，accordingtothepoet，"FirstClassmenarefewandfarbetween。"Itwaswhoshouldhavethehonourofgivinghisdaughterasbridetothisintellectualmarvel。Averynicegirlwasselected，butmostunexpectedlytheB。A。wouldnotmarry。Thisnearlybrokehisfather'sheart。Theoldgentlemanknew，accordingtoChinesebelief，thatifhehadnograndchildtherewouldbenooneinthenextgenerationtofeedhisownghostandpayitallthelittleneedfulattentions。"Picturethenthefathernamingandinsistingontheday；"tillK'o-ch'ang，B。A。，gotupandranaway。Hismothertriedtodetainhim，whenhisclothes"cameoffinherhand，"andthebachelorvanished！Nextdayappearedtherealfleshandbloodson，whohadbeenkidnappedandenslaved。ThegenuineK'o-ch'angwasoverjoyedtohearofhisapproachingnuptials。Theritesweredulycelebrated，andinlessthanayeartheoldgentlemanwelcomedhismuch-longed-forgrandchild。But，oddlyenough，K'o-ch'ang，thoughveryjollyanduniversallybeloved，wasasstupidasever，andreadnothingbutthesportingintelligenceinthenewspapers。
ItwasnowuniversallyadmittedthatthelearnedK'o-ch'anghadbeenanimpostor，acleverghost。Itfollowsthatghostscantakeaverygooddegree；butladiesneednotbeafraidofmarryingghosts，owingtotheinveterateshynessoftheselearnedspectres。
TheChineseghostisbynomeansalwaysamalevolentperson，as，indeed，hasalreadybeenmadeclearfromtheaffectingnarrativeoftheghostwhopassedanexamination。EventhespectrewhichanswersinChinatothestatuein'DonJuan，'thestatuewhichacceptsinvitationstodinner，isanythingbutamalevolentguest。SomuchmaybegatheredfromthestoryofChuandLu。Chuwasanundergraduateofgreatcourageandbodilyvigour，butdullofwit。
Hewasamarriedman，andhischildren（asintheoldOxfordlegend）
oftenrushedintotheirmother'spresence，shouting，"Mamma！mammalpapa'sbeenpluckedagain！"OnceitchancedthatChuwasatawineparty，andthenegus（afavouritebeverageoftheCelestials）haddoneitswork。HisyoungfriendsbettedChuabird's-nestdinnerthathewouldnotgotothenearesttemple，entertheroomdevotedtocolouredsculpturesrepresentingthetormentsofPurgatory，andcarryofftheimageoftheChinesejudgeofthedead，theirOsirisorRhadamanthus。OffwentoldChu，andsoonreturnedwiththeaugusteffigy（whichwore"agreenface，aredbeard，andahideousexpression"）inhisarms。Theothermenwerefrightened，andbeggedChutorestorehisworshiptohisplaceontheinfernalbench。
Beforecarryingbacktheworthymagistrate，Chupouredalibationonthegroundandsaid，"Wheneveryourexcellencyfeelssodisposed，I
shallbegladtotakeacupofwinewithyouinafriendlyway。"
Thatverynight，asChuwastakingastirrupcupbeforegoingtobed，theghostoftheawfuljudgecametothedoorandentered。Chupromptlyputthekettleon，mixedthenegus，andmadeanightofitwiththefestivefiend。Theirfriendshipwasneverinterruptedfromthatmoment。ThejudgeevengaveChuanewheart（literally）
wherebyhewasenabledtopassexaminations；fortheheart，inChina，istheseatofalltheintellectualfaculties。ForMrs。Chu，aplainwomanwithafinefigure，theghostprovidedanewhead，ofahandsomegirlrecentlyslainbyarobber。EvenafterChu'sdeaththegenialspectredidnotneglecthim，butobtainedforhimanappointmentasregistrarinthenextworld，withacertainrankattached。
Thenextworld，amongtheChinese，seemstobeaparadiseofbureaucracy，patentplaces，jobs，mandarins'buttonsandtails，and，inshort，theheavenofofficialism。AllcivilisedreadersareacquaintedwithMr。Stockton'shumorousstoryof'TheTransferredGhost。'InMr。Stockton'sviewamandoesnotalwaysgethisownghostship；thereisavigorouscompetitionamongspiritsforgoodghostships，andagreatdealofintrigueandpartyfeeling。Itmaybelongbeforeadisembodiedspectregetsanyghostshipatall，andthen，ifhehaslittleinfluence，hemaybegladtotakeachanceofhauntingtheBoardofTrade，orthePostOffice，insteadof"walking"intheForeignOffice。OnespiritmaywinapostasWhiteLadyintheimperialpalace，whileanotherisputoffwithapositioninanoldcollegelibrary，orperhapshastofollowthefortunesofsomeseedy"medium"throughboarding-housesandthird-
ratehotels。NowthisispreciselytheChineseviewofthefatesandfortunesofghosts。Quisquesuospatimurmanes。
InChina，tobebrief，andtoquoteaghost（whooughttoknowwhathewasspeakingabout），"supernaturalsaretobefoundeverywhere。"
Thisisthefactthatmakeslifesopuzzlingandterribletoachildofabelievingandtrustfulcharacter。TheseOrientalbogiesdonotappearinthedarkalone，oronlyinhauntedhouses，oratcross-
roads，oringloomywoods。Theyareeverywhere：everymanhashisownghost，everyplacehasitspeculiarhauntingfiend，everynaturalphenomenonhasitsinformingspirit；everyquality，ashunger，greed，envy，malice，hasanembodiedvisibleshapeprowlingaboutseekingwhatitmaydevour。Whereourscience，forexample，sees（orrathersmells）sewergas，theJapanesebeholdaslimy，meagre，insatiatewraith，crawlingtodevourthelivesofmen。
Whereweseeastormofsnow，theirlivelierfancybeholdsacomicsnow-ghost，aqueer，grinningoldmanunderavastumbrella。
TheillustrationsinthispaperareonlyafewspecimenschosenoutofmanyvolumesofJapanesebogies。Wehavenotventuredtocopytheverymostawfulspectres，nordaredtobeashorridaswecan。
Thesenativedrawings，too，aregenerallycolouredregardlessofexpense，andthecolouringisoftenhorriblyluridandsatisfactory。
Thisembellishment，fortunatelyperhaps，wecannotreproduce。
Meanwhile，ifanychildlooksintothisessay，lethim（orher）notbealarmedbythepictureshebeholds。Japaneseghostsdonotliveinthiscountry；therearenoneofthemevenattheJapaneseLegation。Justasbears，lions，andrattlesnakesarenottobeseriouslydreadedinourwoodsandcommons，sotheJapaneseghostcannotbreathe（anymorethanaslavecan）intheairofEnglandorAmerica。WedonotyetevenkeepanyghostlyzoologicalgardeninwhichthebogiesofJapanese，Australians，RedIndians，andotherdistantpeoplesmaybeaccommodated。Suchanestablishmentisperhapstobedesiredintheinterestsofpsychicalresearch，butthatformofresearchhasnotyetbeenendowedbyacultivatedandprogressivegovernment。
Thefirsttoattractourattentionrepresents，asIunderstand，thecommonghost，orsimulacrumvulgareofpsychicalscience。Tothiscomplexionmustweallcome，accordingtothebestJapaneseopinion。
Eachofuscontainswithinhim"somewhatofashadowybeing，"likethespectredescribedbyDr。Johnson：somethingliketheEgyptian"Ka，"forwhichthecuriousmayconsulttheworksofMissAmeliaB。
EdwardsandotherlearnedOrientalists。ThemostrecentFrenchstudentofthesematters，theauthorof'L'HommePosthume，'isofopinionthatwedonotallpossessthisdouble，withitspowerofsurvivingourbodilydeath。Hethinks，too，thatourghost，whenitdoessurvive，hasbutrarelytheenergyandenterprisetomakeitselfvisibletooraudibleby"shadow-castingmen。"Insomeextremecasestheghost（accordingtoourFrenchauthority，thatofadiscipleofM。Comte）feedsfearsomelyonthebodiesoftheliving。Innoeventdoeshebelievethataghostlastsmuchlongerthanahundredyears。Afterthatitmizzlesintospectre，andisresolvedintoitselements，whatevertheymaybe。
Asomewhatsimilarand（tomyownmind）probablysoundtheoryofghostsprevailsamongsavagetribes，andamongsuchpeoplesastheancientGreeks，themodernHindoos，andotherancestorworshippers。
Whenfeeding，astheyalldo，orusedtodo，theghostsoftheancestraldead，theygavespecialattentiontotheclaimsofthedeadofthelastthreegenerations，leavingghostsolderthanthecenturytolookaftertheirownsuppliesofmeatanddrink。Thenegligencetestifiestoanotionthatveryoldghostsareoflittleaccount，forgoodorevil。Ontheotherhand，asregardsthelongevityofspectres，wemustnotshutoureyestotheexampleofthebogieinancientarmourwhichappearsinGlamisCastle，ortotheJesuitofQueenElizabeth'sdatethathauntsthelibrary（andaveryniceplacetohaunt：Iasknobetter，asaghostinthePavilionatLord'smightcauseascandal）ofanEnglishnobleman。
Withtheseinstantiaecontradictoriae，asBaconcallsthem，presenttoourminds，wemustnot（inthepresentconditionofpsychicalresearch）dogmatisetoohastilyaboutthespanoflifeallottedtothesimulacrumvulgare。Veryprobablyhischancesofaprolongedexistenceareininverseratiotothesquareofthedistanceoftimewhichsevershimfromourmoderndays。NoonehaseverevenpretendedtoseetheghostofanancientRomanburiedintheseislands，stilllessofaPictorScot，oraPalaeolithicman，welcomeassuchanapparitionwouldbetomanyofus。Thustheevidencedoescertainlylookasiftherewereakindofstatuteoflimitationsamongghosts，which，frommanypointsofview，isnotanarrangementatwhichweshouldrepine。
TheJapaneseartistexpresseshisownsenseofthecasualandfluctuatingnatureofghostsbydrawinghisspectreinshakylines，asifthemodelhadgiventheartistthehorrors。Thissimulacrumrisesoutoftheearthlikeanexhalation，andgroupsitselfintoshapeabovethespadewithwhichallthatiscorporealofitslateownerhasbeeninterred。Pleaseremarktheuncomfortedanddismalexpressionofthesimulacrum。Wemustrememberthattheghostor"Ka"isnotthe"soul，"whichhasotherdestiniesinthefutureworld，goodorevil，butisonlyashadowyresemblance，condemned，asintheEgyptiancreed，todwellinthetombandhovernearit。
TheChineseandJapanesehavetheirowndefinitetheoryofthenextworld，andwemustbynomeansconfusetheeternalfortunesofthepermanent，conscious，andresponsibleself，alreadyinhabitingotherworldsthanours，withtheeccentricvagariesofthesemi-materialtomb-hauntinglarva，whichsooftendevelopsanoisyandbear-
fightingdispositionquiteunlikethecharacterofitsproprietorinlife。
Thenextbogie，solimpandwashed-outasheseems，withhiswhite，drooping，drippingarmsandhands，remindsusofthathorridFrenchspeciesofapparition，"lalavandieredelanuit，"whowashesdeadmen'slineninthemoonlitpoolsandrivers。Whetherthissimulacrumbemeantforthespiritofthewell（foreverythinghasitsspiritinJapan），orwhetheritbetheghostofsomemortaldrownedinthewell，Icannotsaywithabsolutecertainty；buttheopinionofthelearnedtendstotheformerconclusion。NaturallyaJapanesechild，whensentinthedusktodrawwater，willdosowithfearandtrembling，forthislimp，floppyapparitionmightscaretheboldest。Anotherbogie，aterriblecreationoffancy，Itaketobeavampire，aboutwhichthecuriouscanreadinDomCalmet，whowilltellthemhowwholevillagesinHungaryhavebeendepopulatedbyvampires；orhemaystudyinFauriel's'ChansonsdelaGreceModerne'thevampiresofmodernHellas。
Anotherplan，andperhapsevenmoresatisfactorytoatimidorsuperstitiousmind，istoreadinalonelyhouseatmidnightastorynamed'Carmilla，'printedinMr。SheridanLeFanu's'InaGlassDarkly。'Thatworkwillgiveyouthepeculiarsentimentofvampirism，willproduceagelidperspiration，andreducethepatienttoaconditioninwhichhewillbeafraidtolookroundtheroom。
If，whileinthismood，someonetellshimMr。AugustusHare'sstoryofCrooglinGrange，hiseducationinthepracticeandtheoryofvampireswillbecomplete，andhewillbeaveryproperandwell-
qualifiedinmateofEarlswoodAsylum。ThemostawfulJapanesevampire，caughtred-handedintheact，ahideous，bestialincarnationofghoulishness，wehavecarefullyrefrainedfromreproducing。
Scarcelymoreagreeableisthebogie，orwitch，blowingfromhermouthamalevolentexhalation，anembodimentofmalignantandmaleficentsorcery。Thevapourwhichfliesandcurlsfromthemouthconstitutes"asending，"inthetechnicallanguageofIcelandicwizards，andiscapable（inIceland，atallevents）ofassumingtheformofsomedetestablesupernaturalanimal，todestroythelifeofahatedrival。Inthecaseofourlastexampleitisveryhardindeedtomakeheadortailofthespectrerepresented。Chinksandcranniesarehisdomain；throughthesehedropsuponyou。Heisamerrybutnotanattractiveorgenialghost。Wheretherearesuch"visionsabout"itmaybeadmittedthatchildren，apttobelieveinallsuchfancies，haveayouthofvariegatedandintensemisery，recurringwithspecialvigouratbed-time。Butwelookagainatourfirstpicture，andhopeandtrustthatJapaneseboysandgirlsareashappyasthesejollylittlecreaturesappear。
GHOSTSINTHELIBRARY
Suppose，whennowthehouseisdumb，Whenlightsareout，andashesfall-
SupposetheirancientownerscomeToclaimourspoilsofshopandstall，Ahme！withinthenarrowhallHowstrangeamobwouldmeetandgo，Whatfamousfolkwouldhauntthemall，Octavo，quarto，folio！
ThegreatNapoleonlayshishandUponthiseagle-headedN，ThatmarksforhisapamphletbannedByallbutscandal-lovingmen，-
AlibelfromsomenamelessdenOfFrankfort，——ArnaudalaSphere，Whereinonespilt，withvenalpen，Lieso'erthelovesofMoliere。{3}
Anothershade——hedoesnotsee"Boney，"thefoemanofhisrace-
ThegreatSirWalter，thisisheWiththatgravehomelyBorderface。
HeclaimshispoemofthechaseThatrangBenvoirlich'svalleythrough；
AndTHIS，thatdoththelineagetraceAndfortunesoftheboldBuccleuch；{4}
Forthesewerehis，andthesehegaveToonewhodweltbesidethePeel，ThatmurmurswithitstinywaveTojointheTweedatAshestiel。
Nowthickasmotestheshadowswheel，Andfindtheirown，andclaimashareOfbookswhereinRiboudiddeal，OrRoullandsoldtowiseColbert。{5}
Whatfamousfolkofoldarehere！
Aroyaldukecomesdowntous，AndgreatlywantshisElzevir，HisPagantutor，Lucius。{6}
AndBeckfordclaimsanamorousOldheatheninmoroccoblue；{7}
AndwhodemandsEobanusButstatelyJacquesAugustedeThou！{8}
Theycome，thewise，thegreat，thetrue，Theyjostleonthenarrowstair，ThefrolicCountessdeVerrue，Lamoignon，ay，andLongepierre，Thenewandelderdeadarethere-
Thelordsofspeech，andsong，andpen，Gambetta，{9}Schlegel{10}andtherareDrummondofhauntedHawthornden。{11}
Ah，andwiththose，ahundredmore，Whosenames，whosedeeds，arequiteforgot：
Brave"Smiths"and"Thompsons"bythescore，Scrawleduponmanyashabby"lot。"
ThisplaybookwasthejoyofPott{12}-
Pott，forwhomnownomortalgrieves。
Ournames，likehis，rememberednot，Likehis，shallflutteronfly-leaves！
AtleastinpleasantcompanyWebookishghosts，perchance，mayflit；
Amanmayturnapage，andsigh，Seeingone'sname，tothinkofit。
Beauty，orPoet，Sage，orWit，Mayopeourbook，andmuseawhile，Andfallintoadreamingfit，Asnowwedream，andwake，andsmile！
LITERARYFORGERIES
Inthewholeamusinghistoryofimpostures，thereisnomoredivertingchapterthanthatwhichdealswithliteraryfrauds。Nonecontainsamoregrotesquerevelationofthesmallnessandthecomplexityofhumannature，andnone——noteventherecordsoftheTichbornetrial，norofgeneralelections——displaysmorepleasantlythedepthsofmortalcredulity。Theliteraryforgerisusuallyacleverman，anditisnecessaryforhimtobeatleastonalevelwiththeliteraryknowledgeandcriticalscienceofhistime。Buthowlowthatlevelcommonlyappearstobe！ThinkofthesuccessofIreland，aboyofeighteen；thinkofChatterton；thinkofSurteesofMainsforth，whotookinthegreatSirWalterhimself，thefatherofallthemthatareskilledinballadlore。Howsimpleweretheartificesoftheseingeniousimpostors，theirresourceshowscanty；
howhand-to-mouthandimprovisedwastheirwholeprocedure！Timeshavealteredalittle。JoSmith'srevelationandfamed'GoldenBible'onlycarriedcaptivethepolygamouspopulusquivultdecipi，reasonersalittlelowerthaneventhebelieversinAnglo-Israel。
TheMoabiteIreland，whooncegaveMr。ShapirathefamousMS。ofDeuteronomy，butdidnotdeludeM。Clermont-Ganneau，wasdoubtlessasmartman；hewas，however，alittletooindolent，alittletooeasilysatisfied。Hemighthaveprocuredbetterandlessrecognisablematerialsthanhisold"synagoguerolls；"inshort，hetookrathertoolittletrouble，andcametothewrongmarket。A
literaryforgeryoughtfirst，perhaps，toappealtothecredulous，andonlyslowlyshoulditcome，withtheprestigeofhavingalreadywonmanybelievers，beforethelearnedworld。TheinscriberofthePhoenicianinscriptionsinBrazil（ofallplaces）wasacleverman。
HisaccountofthevoyageofHiramtoSouthAmericaprobablygainedsomecredenceinBrazil，whileinEnglanditonlycarriedcaptiveMr。Day，authorof'ThePrehistoricUseofIronandSteel。'ButtheBrazilians，fromlackofenergy，havedroppedthesubject，andthePhoenicianinscriptionsofBrazilarelesssuccessful，afterall，thantheMoabitestone，aboutwhichonebeginstoentertaindisagreeabledoubts。
Themotivesoftheliteraryforgerarecuriouslymixed；buttheymay，perhaps，beanalysedroughlyintopiety，greed，"push，"andloveoffun。Manyliteraryforgerieshavebeenpiousfrauds，perpetratedintheinterestsofachurch，apriesthood，oradogma。
Thenwehavefraudsofgreed，asif，forexample，aforgershouldofferhiswaresforamillionofmoneytotheBritishMuseum；orwhenhetriestopalmoffhisSamaritanGospelonthe"BadSamaritan"oftheBodleian。Nextwecometoplayfulfrauds，orfraudsintheiroriginplayful，like（perhaps）theShakespearianforgeriesofIreland，thesupercheriesofProsperMerimee，theshamantiqueballads（veryspiritedpoemsintheirway）ofSurtees，andmanyotherexamples。Occasionallyithashappenedthatforgeries，begunforthemeresakeofexertingtheimitativefaculty，andofraisingalaughagainstthelearned，havebeenperseveredwithinearnest。Thehumorousdeceitsare，ofcourse，themostpardonable，thoughitisdifficulttoforgivetheyoungarchaeologistwhotookinhisownfatherwithfalseGreekinscriptions。Butthisstorymaybeamerefableamongstarchaeologists，whoareconstantlyaccusingeachotherofallmannerofcrimes。Thenthereareforgeriesby"pushing"men，whohopetogetareadingforpoemswhich，ifputforthasnew，wouldbeneglected。Thereremainforgeriesofwhichthemotivesaresocomplexastoremainforeverobscure。Wemaygenerallyascribethemtoloveofnotorietyintheforger；suchnotorietyasMacphersonwonbyhisdubiouspinchbeckOssian。Moredifficultstilltounderstandaretheforgerieswhichrealscholarshavecommittedorconnivedatforthepurposeofsupportingsomeopinionwhichtheyheldwithearnestness。Thereisaveinofmadnessandself-deceitinthecharacterofthemanwhohalf-
persuadeshimselfthathisownfalsefactsaretrue。ThePayneColliercaseisthusoneofthemostdifficultintheworldtoexplain，foritisequallyhardtosupposethatMr。PayneCollierwastakeninbythenotesonthefoliohegavetheworld，andtoholdthathewashimselfguiltyofforgerytosupporthisownopinions。
Thefurtherwegobackinthehistoryofliteraryforgeries，themore（asisnatural）dowefindthemtobeofapiousorpriestlycharacter。Whentheclergyalonecanwrite，onlytheclergycanforge。Insuchagespeopleareinterestedchieflyinpropheciesandwarnings，or，iftheyarecarefulaboutliterature，itisonlywhenliteraturecontainssomekindoftitle-deeds。ThusSolonissaidtohaveforgedalineintheHomericcatalogueoftheshipsforthepurposeofprovingthatSalamisbelongedtoAthens。Butthegreatantiqueforger，the"Ionianfatheroftherest，"is，doubtless，Onomacritus。Thereexists，tobesure，anEgyptianinscriptionprofessingtobeofthefourth，butprobablyofthetwenty-sixth，dynasty。TheGermansholdthelatterview；theFrench，frompatrioticmotives，maintaintheoppositeopinion。Butthisforgeryisscarcely"literary。"
InevercanthinkofOnomacrituswithoutacertainrespect：hebegantheforgingbusinesssoveryearly，andwas（apartfromthisfailing）suchanimposingandmagnificentlyrespectablecharacter。
ThesceneoftheerrorandthedetectionofOnomacrituspresentsitselfalwaystomeinakindofpictorialvision。Itisnight，theclear，windlessnightofAthens；notoftheAthenswhoseruinsremain，butoftheancientcitythatsankinashesduringtheinvasionofXerxes。ThetimeisthetimeofPisistratusthesuccessfultyrant；thesceneistheancienttemple，thestatelyhouseofAthene，thefanewherethesacredserpentwasfedoncakes，andtheprimevalolive-treegrewbesidethewellofPosidon。Thedarknessofthetemple'sinmostshrineislitbytherayofoneearthenlamp。Youdimlydiscernthemajesticformofavenerablemanstoopingaboveacofferofcedarandivory，carvedwiththeexploitsofthegoddess，andwithboustrophedoninscriptions。InhishairthisarchaicAthenianwearsthebadgeofthegoldengrasshopper。HeisOnomacritus，thefamouspoet，andthetrustedguardianoftheancientoraclesofMusaeusandBacis。
Whatishedoing？Why，hetakesfromthefragrantcedarcoffercertainthinstainedsheetsoflead，whereonarescratchedthewordsofdoom，thepropheciesoftheGreekThomastheRhymer。Fromhisbosomhedrawsanotherthinsheetoflead，alsostainedandcorroded。Onthishescratches，inimitationoftheold"Cadmeianletters，"aprophecythat"theIslesnearLemnosshalldisappearunderthesea。"Sobusyisheinthistask，thathedoesnotheartherustleofachitonbehind，andsuddenlyaman'shandisonhisshoulder！Onomacritusturnsinhorror。Hasthegoddesspunishedhimfortamperingwiththeoracles？No；itisLasus，thesonofHermiones，arivalpoet，whohascaughtthekeeperoftheoraclesintheveryactofapiousforgery。（Herodotus，vii。6。）
PisistratusexpelledthelearnedOnomacritusfromAthens，buthisconductproved，inthelongrun，highlyprofitabletothereputationsofMusaeusandBacis。Wheneveroneoftheiroracleswasnotfulfilled，peoplesaid，"Oh，THATismerelyoneoftheinterpolationsofOnomacritus！"andthematterwaspassedover。
ThisOnomacritusissaidtohavebeenamongtheoriginaleditorsofHomerunderPisistratus。{13}Helivedlong，neverrepented，and，manyyearslater，deceivedXerxesintoattemptinghisdisastrousexpedition。Thishedidby"keepingbacktheoraclesunfavourabletothebarbarians，"andputtingforwardanythatseemedfavourable。
ThechildrenofPisistratusbelievedinhimasspiritualistsgoongivingcredittoexposedandexploded"mediums。"
Havingoncepractiseddeceit，itistobefearedthatOnomacritusacquiredalikingfortheartofliteraryforgery，which，aswillbeseeninthecaseofIreland，growsonamanlikedram-drinking。
OnomacritusisgenerallychargedwiththeauthorshipofthepoemswhichtheancientsusuallyattributedtoOrpheus，thecompanionofJason。PerhapsthemostinterestingofthepoemsofOrpheustouswouldhavebeenhis'Inferno，'or[Greektext]，inwhichthepoetgavehisownaccountofhisdescenttoHadesinsearchofEurydice。
ButonlyadubiousreferencetooneadventureinthejourneyisquotedbyPlutarch。WhatevertheexacttruthabouttheOrphicpoemsmaybe（thereadermaypursuethehardandfruitlessquestinLobeck's'Aglaophamus'{14}），itseemscertainthattheperiodbetweenPisistratusandPericles，liketheAlexandriantime，wasagreatageforliteraryforgeries。Butofallthesefraudsthegreatest（accordingtothemost"advanced"theoryonthesubject）isthe"ForgeryoftheIliadandOdyssey！"TheopinionsofthescholarswhoholdthattheIliadandOdyssey，whichweknowandwhichPlatoknew，arenottheepicsknowntoHerodotus，butlatercompositions，arenotveryclearnorconsistent。ButitseemstobevaguelyheldthataboutthetimeofPericlestherearoseakindofGreekMacpherson。Thisingeniousimpostorworkedonoldepicmaterials，butaddedmanynewideasofhisownaboutthegods，convertingtheIliad（thepoemwhichwenowpossess）intoakindofmockingromance，aGreekDonQuixote。Healsoforgedanumberofpseudo-archaicwords，tenses，andexpressions，andaddedthenumerousreferencestoiron，ametalpracticallyunknown，itisasserted，toGreecebeforethesixthcentury。Ifwearetobelieve，withProfessorPaley，thatthechiefincidentsoftheIliadandOdysseywereunknowntoSophocles，AEschylus，andthecontemporaryvasepainters，wemustalsosupposethattheGreekMacphersoninventedmostofthesituationsintheOdysseyandIliad。Accordingtothistheorythe'cooker'oftheextantepicswasfarthegreatestandmostsuccessfulofallliteraryimpostors，forhedeceivedthewholeworld，fromPlatodownwards，tillhewasexposedbyMr。Paley。
TherearetimeswhenoneisinclinedtobelievethatPlatomusthavebeentheforgerhimself，asBacon（accordingtotheotherhypothesis）wastheauthorofShakespeare'splays。Thus"Platothewise，andlarge-browedVerulam，"wouldbe"thefirstofthosewho"
forge！Nexttothisprodigiousimposture，nodoubt，thefalse'LettersofPhalaris'arethemostimportantofclassicalforgeries。
Andtheseillustrate，likemostliteraryforgeries，theextremeworthlessnessofliterarytasteasacriterionoftheauthenticityofwritings。ForwhatmaneverwasmoreamanoftastethanSirWilliamTemple，"themostaccomplishedwriteroftheage，"whomMr。
BoyleneverthoughtofwithoutcallingtomindthosehappylinesofLucretius，-
Quemtu，dea，temporeinomniOmnibusornatumvoluistiexcellererebus。
Well，theornateandexcellentTempleheldthat"theEpistlesofPhalarishavemorerace，morespirit，moreforceofwitandgenius，thananyothershehadeverseen，eitherancientormodern。"SomuchforwhatBentleycallsTemple's"NicetyofTast。"ThegreatestofEnglishscholarsreadilyprovedthatPhalarisused（inthespiritofprophecy）anidiomwhichdidnotexisttowriteaboutmattersinhistimenotinvented，but"manycenturiesyoungerthanhe。"SolettheNicetyofTemple'sTastanditsabsolutefailurebeawarningtouswhenweread（ifreadwemust）GermancriticswhodenyHomer'sclaimtothisorthatpassage，andPlato'srighttohalfhisaccepteddialogues，ongroundsofliterarytaste。Andfarewell，asHerodotuswouldhavesaid，totheLettersofPhalaris，ofSocrates，ofPlato；totheLivesofPythagorasandofHomer，andtoalltheotheruncountedliteraryforgeriesoftheclassicalworld，fromtheSibyllinepropheciestothebattleofthefrogsandmice。
EarlyChristianfraudswere，naturally，pious。WehavetheapocryphalGospels，andtheworksofDionysiustheAreopagite，whichwerenotexposedtillErasmus'stime。Perhapsthemostimportantofpiousforgeries（ifforgerybeexactlytherightwordinthiscase）
wasthatof'TheFalseDecretals。'"Ofasudden，"saysMilman，speakingofthepontificateofNicholasI。（ob。867A。D。），"Ofasuddenwaspromulgated，unannounced，withoutpreparation，notabsolutelyunquestioned，butapparentlyover-awingatoncealldoubt，anewCode，whichtotheformerauthenticdocumentsaddedfifty-ninelettersanddecreesofthetwentyoldestPopesfromClementtoMelchiades，andthedonationofConstantine，andinthethirdpart，amongthedecreesofthePopesandoftheCouncilsfromSylvestertoGregoryII。，thirty-ninefalsedecrees，andtheactsofseveralunauthenticCouncils。""Thewholeiscomposed，"Milmanadds，"withanairofprofoundpietyandreverence。"TheFalseDecretalsnaturallyassertthesupremacyoftheBishopofRome。
"TheyarefullandminuteonChurchProperty"（theyweresuretobethat）；infact，theyremindoneofanotherforgery，piousandAryan，'TheInstitutesofVishnu。'"LethimnotlevyanytaxuponBrahmans，"saystheBrahmanforgeroftheInstitutes，which"camefromthemouthsofVishnu，"ashesat"cladinayellowrobe，imperturbable，decoratedwithallkindsofgems，whileLakshmiwasstrokinghisfeetwithhersoftpalms。"TheInstitutestookexcellentcareofBrahmansandcows，astheDecretalsdidofthePopeandtheclergy，andtheearliestPopeshadaboutasmuchhandintheDecretalsasVishnuhadinhisInstitutes。Hommenay，in'Pantagruel，'didwelltohavethepraiseoftheDecretalssungbyfillesbelles，blondelettes，doulcettes，etdebonnegrace。AndthenHommenaydranktotheDecretalsandtheirverygoodhealth。"O
divesDecretales，tantparvousestlevinbonbontrouve"——"O
divineDecretals，howgoodyoumakegoodwinetaste！""Themiraclewouldbegreater，"saidPantagruel，"iftheymadebadwinetastegood。"ThemostthatcannowbedonebythedevoutfortheDecretalsis"topalliatetheguiltoftheirforger，"whosename，likethatoftheGreekMacpherson，isunknown。
IftheearlyChristiancenturies，andtheMiddleAges，werechieflyoccupiedwithpiousfrauds，withforgeriesofgospels，epistles，andDecretals，theimpostorsoftheRenaissancewerebusy，asanOxfordscholarsaid，whenheheardofanewMS。oftheGreekTestament，"withsomethingreallyimportant，"thatiswithclassicalimitations。AftertheTurkstookConstantinople，whenthelearnedGreekswerescatteredalloverSouthernEurope，whenmanygenuineclassicalmanuscriptswererecoveredbythezealofscholars，whentheplaysofMenanderwereseenonce，andthenlostforever，itwasnaturalthatliteraryforgeryshouldthrive。Asyetscholarswereeagerratherthancritical；theywerecollectingandunearthing，ratherthanminutelyexaminingtheremainsofclassicliterature。
Theyhadfoundsomuch，andeveryyearwerefindingsomuchmore，thatnodiscoveryseemedimpossible。ThelostbooksofLivyandCicero，thesongsofSappho，theperishedplaysofSophoclesandAEschylusmightanydaybebroughttolight。Thiswastheverymomentfortheliteraryforger；butitisimprobablethatanyforgeryoftheperiodhasescapeddetection。Threeorfouryearsagosomeonepublishedabooktoshowthatthe'AnnalsofTacitus'
werewrittenbyPoggioBracciolini。ThisparadoxgainednomoreconvertsthanthebolderhypothesisofHardouin。ThetheoryofHardouinwasallthattheancientclassicswereproductionsofalearnedcompanywhichworked，inthethirteenthcentury，underSeverusArchontius。Hardouinmadesomeexceptionstohissweepinggeneraltheory。Cicero'swritingsweregenuine，headmitted，sowerePliny's，ofVirgiltheGeorgics；thesatiresandepistlesofHorace；Herodotus，andHomer。Alltherestoftheclassicswereamagnificentforgeryoftheilliteratethirteenthcentury，whichhadscarceanyGreek，andwhoseLatin，abundantinquantity，inqualityleftmuchtobedesired。
Amongliteraryforgers，orpassersoffalseliterarycoin，atthetimeoftheRenaissance，Anniusisthemostnotorious。Annius（hisrealvernacularnamewasNanni）wasbornatViterbo，in1432。HebecameaDominican，and（afterpublishinghisforgedclassics）rosetothepositionofMaitreduPalaistothePope，AlexanderBorgia。
WithCaesarBorgiaitissaidthatAnniuswasneverongoodterms。
Hepersistedinpreaching"thesacredtruth"tohishighnessandthis（accordingtothedetractorsofAnnius）wastheonlyusehemadeofthesacredtruth。ThereisalegendthatCaesarBorgiapoisonedthepreacher（1502），butpeopleusuallybroughtthatchargeagainstCaesarwhenanyoneinanywayconnectedwithhimhappenedtodie。AnniuswroteontheHistoryandEmpireoftheTurks，whotookConstantinopleinhistime；butheisbetterrememberedbyhis'AntiquitatumVariarumVoluminaXVII。cumcomment。Fr。Jo。Annii。'
Thesefragmentsofantiquityincluded，amongmanyotherdesirablethings，thehistoricalwritingsofFabiusPictor，thepredecessorofLivy。OneissurprisedthatAnnius，whenhehadhishandin，didnotpublishchoiceextractsfromthe'LibriLintei，'theancientRomanannals，writtenonlinenandpreservedinthetempleofJunoMoneta。AmongtheotherdiscoveriesofAnniusweretreatisesbyBerosus，Manetho，Cato，andpoemsbyArchilochus。OpinionhasbeendividedastowhetherAnniuswaswhollyaknave，orwhetherhewashimselfimposedupon。Or，again，whetherhehadsomegenuinefragments，andekedthemoutwithhisowninventions。ItisobservedthathedidnotdovetailthereallygenuinerelicsofBerosusandManethointotheworksattributedtothem。Thismaybeexplainedastheresultofignoranceorofcunning；therecanbenocertaininference。"EventheDominicans，"asBaylesays，admitthatAnnius'sdiscoveriesarefalse，thoughtheyexcusethembyaverringthatthepiousmanwasthedupeofothers。ButalearnedLutheranhasbeenfoundtodefendthe'Antiquitates'oftheDominican。
ItisamusingtorememberthatthegreatanderuditeRabelaiswastakeninbysomepseudo-classicalfragments。Thejokerofjokeswashoaxed。Hepublished，saysMr。Besant，"acoupleofLatinforgeries，whichheproudlycalled'Exreliquiisvenerandaeantiquitatis，'consistingofapretendedwillandacontract。"Thenameofthebookis'Exreliquiisvenerandaeantiquitatis。LuciiCuspidiiTestamentum。ItemcontractusvenditionisantiquisRomanorumtemporibusinitus。LugduniapudGryphium（1532）。'
PomponiusLaetusandJovianusPontanuswereapparentlyauthorsofthehoax。
Socratessaidthathe"wouldneverliftuphishandagainsthisfatherParmenides。"ThefathersoftheChurchhavenotbeensorespectfullytreatedbyliteraryforgersduringtheRenaissance。
The'FlowersofTheology'ofSt。Bernard，whichweretobeaprimrosepathadgaudiaParadisi（Strasburg，1478），werereally，itseems，theproductionofJeandeGarlande。Athanasius，his'ElevenBooksconcerningtheTrinity，'areattributedtoVigilius，acolonialBishopinNorthernAfrica。AmongfalseclassicsweretwocomicLatinfragmentswithwhichMuretusbeguiledScaliger。
Meursiushassuffered，posthumously，fromtheattributiontohimofaverydisreputablevolumeindeed。In1583，abookon'Consolations，'byCicero，waspublishedatVenice，containingthereflectionswithwhichCiceroconsoledhimselfforthedeathofTullia。ItmightaswellhavebeenattributedtoMrs。Blimber，anddescribedasrepletewiththethoughtsbywhichthatladysupportedherselfundertheafflictionofneverhavingseenCiceroorhisTusculanvilla。TherealauthorwasCharlesSigonius，ofModena。
SigoniusactuallydiddiscoversomeCiceronianfragments，and，ifhewasnotthebuilder，atleasthewastherestorerofTully'sloftytheme。In1693，FrancoisNodot，conceivingtheworldhadnotalreadyenoughofPetroniusArbiter，publishedanedition，inwhichheaddedtotheworksofthatlaxthoughaccomplishedauthor。
Nodot'sstorywasthathehadfoundawholeMS。ofPetroniusatBelgrade，andhepublisheditwithatranslationofhisownLatinintoFrench。StilldissatisfiedwiththeexistingsupplyofPetronius'humourwasMarchena，awriterofSpanishbooks，whoprintedatBaleatranslationandeditionofanewfragment。Thisfragmentwasverycleverlyinsertedinapresumedlacuna。Inspiteoftheironicalstyleoftheprefacemanyscholarsweretakeninbythisfragment，andtheircredulityledMarchenatofindanewmorsel（ofCatullusthistime）atHerculaneum。Eichstadt，aJenaprofessor，gravelyannouncedthatthesamefragmentexistedinaMS。
intheuniversitylibrary，and，underpretenceofgivingvariousreadings，correctedMarchena'sfaultsinprosody。AnothershamCatullus，byCorradino，aVenetian，waspublishedin1738。
ThemostfamousforgeriesoftheeighteenthcenturywerethoseofMacpherson，Chatterton，andIreland。Space（fortunately）doesnotpermitadiscussionoftheOssianicquestion。ThatfragmentsofOssianiclegend（ifnotofOssianicpoetry）surviveinoralGaelictraditions，seemscertain。HowmuchMacphersonknewofthese，andhowlittleheusedtheminthebombasticprosewhichNapoleonloved（andspelled"Ocean"），itisnexttoimpossibletodiscover。ThecaseofChattertonistoowellknowntoneedmuchmorethanmention。
ThemostextraordinarypoetforhisyearswhoeverlivedbeganwiththeforgeryofashamfeudalpedigreeforMr。Bergum，apewterer。
Irelandstartedonhiscareerinmuchthesameway，unlessIreland's'Confessions'bethemselvesafraud，basedonwhatheknewaboutChatterton。Oncelaunchedinhiscareer，Chattertondrewendlessstoresofpoetryfrom"Rowley'sMS。"andthemunimentchestinSt。
MaryRedcliffe's。JacobBryantbelievedinthemandwrotean'Apology'forthecredulous。Bryant，whobelievedinhisownsystemofmythology，mighthavebelievedinanything。WhenChattertonsenthis"discoveries"toWalpole（himselfsomewhatofamediaevalimitator），GrayandMasondetectedtheimposture，andWalpole，hisfeelingsasanantiquaryinjuredtooknomorenoticeoftheboy。
Chatterton'sdeathwasduetohisprecocity。Hadhisgeniuscometohimlater，itwouldhavefoundhimwiser，andbetterabletocommandthefataldemonofintellect，forwhichhehadtofindwork，likeMichaelScottinthelegend。
Theendoftheeighteenthcentury，whichhadbeenpuzzledordivertedbytheChattertonandMacphersonfrauds，witnessedalsothegreatandfamousShakespearianforgeries。WeshallneverknowtheexacttruthaboutthefabricationoftheShakespeariandocuments，and'Vortigern'andtheotherplays。Wehave，indeed，theconfessionoftheculprit：habemusconfitentemreum，butMr。W。H。
Irelandwasaliarandasolicitor'sclerk，soversatileandaccomplishedthatwecannotalwaystrusthim，evenwhenheisnarratingthetaleofhisowniniquities。ThetemporarybutwideandturbulentsuccessoftheIrelandforgeriessuggeststhedisagreeablereflectionthatcriticismandlearningare（orahundredyearsagowere）worthverylittleasliterarytouchstones。
Apolishedandlearnedsociety，asocietydevotedtoShakespeareandtothestage，wastakeninbyaboyofeighteen。YoungIrelandnotonlypalmedoffhisshamprosedocuments，mostmakeshiftimitationsoftheantique，butevenhisridiculousversesontheexperts。
JamesBoswellwentdownonhiskneesandthankedHeavenforthesightofthem，and，feelingthirstyafterthesedevotions，drankhotbrandyandwater。Dr。Parrwasnotlessreadilygulled，andprobablytheexperts，likeMalone，whoheldaloof，wereasmuchinfluencedbyjealousyasbyscience。ThewholestoryofyoungIreland'sforgeriesisnotonlytoolongtobetoldhere，butformsthetopicofanovel（'TheTalkoftheTown'）byMr。JamesPayn。
Thefraudsinhishandsloseneithertheirhumournortheircomplicatedinterestofplot。Tobebrief，then，Mr。SamuelIrelandwasagentlemanextremelyfondofoldliteratureandoldbooks。Ifwemaytrustthe'Confessions'（1805）ofhiscandidson，Mr。W。H。
Ireland，amoreharmlessandconfidingoldpersonthanSamuelnevercollectedearlyEnglishtracts。Livinginhislearnedsociety，hisson，Mr。W。H。Ireland，acquirednotonlyapassionforblackletters，butadesiretoemulateChatterton。Hisfirststepinguiltwastheforgeryofanautographonanoldpamphlet，withwhichhegratifiedSamuelIreland。HealsowroteashaminscriptiononamodernbustofCromwell，whichherepresentedasanauthenticantique。Findingthatthecriticsweretakenin，andattributedthisnewbusttotheoldsculptorSimeon，Irelandconceivedaverylowandnotunjustifiableopinionofcriticaltact。Criticswouldfindmeritinanythingwhichseemedoldenough。Ireland'snextachievementwastheforgeryofsomelegaldocumentsconcerningShakespeare。JustasthebadmanwhodeceivedtheguilelessMr。
Shapiraforgedhis'Deuteronomy'ontheblankspacesofoldsynagoguerolls，soyoungIrelandusedthecut-offendsofoldrentrolls。Henextboughtupquantitiesofoldfly-leavesofbooks，andonthisancientpaperheindictedashamconfessionoffaith，whichheattributedtoShakespeare。Beingastrong"evangelical，"youngMr。IrelandgaveaveryProtestantcomplexiontothisedifyingdocument。Andstillthecriticsgapedandwonderedandbelieved。
Ireland'smethodwastowriteinaninkmadebyblendingvariousliquidsusedinthemarblingofpaperforbookbinding。Thisstuffwassuppliedtohimbyabookbinder'sapprentice。WhenpeopleaskedquestionsastowhenceallthenewShakespearemanuscriptscame，hesaidtheywerepresentedtohimbyagentlemanwhowishedtoremainanonymous。Finally，theimpossibilityofproducingthisgentlemanwasoneofthecausesofthedetectionofthefraud。Accordingtohimself，Irelandperformedprodigiesofacuteness。Oncehehadforged，atrandom，thenameofacontemporaryofShakespeare。Hewasconfrontedwithagenuinesignature，which，ofcourse，wasquitedifferent。Heobtainedleavetoconsulthis"anonymousgentleman，"
rushedhome，forgedthenameagainonthemodelofwhathadbeenshowntohim，andreturnedwiththissignatureasanewgiftfromhisbenefactor。Thatnamelessfriendhadinformedhim（heswore）
thatthereweretwopersonsofthesamename，andthatbothsignaturesweregenuine。Ireland'simpudencewentthelengthofintroducinganancestorofhisown，withthesamenameashimself，amongthecompanionsofShakespeare。If'Vortigern'hadsucceeded（anditwasactuallyputonthestagewithallpossiblepomp），Irelandmeanttohaveproducedaseriesofpseudo-ShakespearianplaysfromWilliamtheConquerortoQueenElizabeth。Whenbusywith'Vortigern，'hewasdetectedbyafriendofhisownage，whopouncedonhimwhilehewasatwork，asLasuspouncedonOnomacritus。Thediscoverer，however，consentedto"standin"withIreland，anddidnotdivulgehissecret。Atlast，afterthefiascoof'Vortigern，'
suspicionwaxedsostrong，anddisagreeableinquiriesfortheanonymousbenefactorweresonumerous，thatIrelandfledfromhisfather'shouse。Heconfessedall，and，accordingtohisownaccount，fellundertheundyingwrathofSamuelIreland。AnyreaderofIreland'sconfessionswillbelikelytosympathisewitholdSamuelasthedupeofhisson。Thewholestoryistoldwithacuriousmixtureofimpudenceandhumour，andwithgreatplausibility。YoungIrelandadmitsthathis"desireforlaughter"
wasalmostirresistible，whenpeople——learned，pompous，sagaciouspeople——listenedattentivelytothepapers。Onefeelshalfinclinedtoforgivetherogueforthesakeofhisyouth，hiscleverness，hishumour。Butthe'Confessions'are，notimprobably，almostasapocryphalastheoriginaldocuments。Theywerewrittenforthesakeofmoney，anditisimpossibletosayhowfarthesamemercenarymotiveactuatedIrelandinhisforgeries。Dr。Ingleby，inhis'ShakespeareFabrications，'takesaveryrigidviewoftheconduct，notonlyofWilliam，butofoldSamuelIreland。Sam，accordingtoDr。Ingleby，wasapartnerinthewholeimposture，andtheconfessionwasonlyoneelementintheschemeoffraud。OldSamuelwastheFaginofabandofyoungliteraryDodgers。He"positivelytrainedhiswholefamilytotradeinforgery，"andasforMr。W。H。Ireland，hewas"themostaccomplishedliarthateverlived，"whichiscertainlyadistinctioninitsway。Thepointofthejokeisthat，afterthewholeconspiracyexploded，peoplewereanxioustobuyexamplesoftheforgeries。Mr。W。H。Irelandwasequaltotheoccasion。Heactuallyforgedhisown，or（accordingtoDr。Ingleby）hisfather'sforgeries，and，bythusincreasingthesupply，hedelugedthemarketwithshamshams，withimitationsofimitations。Ifthisaccusationbecorrect，itisimpossiblenottoadmirethecolossalimpudenceofMr。W。H。Ireland。Dr。Ingleby，intheardourofhishonestindignation，pursuesWilliamintohisprivatelife，which，itappears，wasfarfromexemplary。Butliterarycriticismshouldbecontentwithaman'sworks；hisdomesticlifeismatter，asAristotleoftensays，"foraseparatekindofinvestigation。"OldRitsonusedtosaythat"everyliteraryimpostordeservedhangingasmuchasacommonthief。"W。H。
Ireland'smeritswereneverrecognisedbythelaw。
HowoldRitsonwouldhavepunished"theoldcorrector，"itis"betteronlyguessing，"asthewickedsay，accordingtoClough，inregardtotheirownpossiblechastisement。Thedifficultyistoascertainwhotheapocryphaloldcorrectorreallywas。Thestoryofhismisdeedswasrecentlybroughtbacktomindbythedeath，atanadvancedage，ofthelearnedShakespearian，Mr。J。PayneCollier。
Mr。Collierwas，toputitmildly，theShapiraoftheoldcorrector。
Hebroughtthatartist'sworksbeforethepublic；butWHY？howdeceived，orhowinfluenced，itisoncemore"betteronlyguessing。"
Mr。CollierfirstintroducedtothepublicnoticehissingularcopyofafolioShakespeare（secondedition），loadedwithancientmanuscriptemendations，in1849。Hisaccountofthisbookwassimpleandplausible。Hechanced，oneday，tobeintheshopofMr。
Rudd，thebookseller，inGreatNewportStreet，whenaparcelofsecond-handvolumesarrivedfromthecountry。Whentheparcelwasopened，theheartoftheBibliophilebegantosing，forthepacketcontainedtwooldfolios，oneofthemanoldfolioShakespeareofthesecondedition（1632）。Thevolume（markthis）was"muchcropped，"greasy，andimperfect。NowthestudentofMr。Hamilton's'Inquiry'intothewholeaffairisalreadypuzzled。Inlaterdays，Mr。ColliersaidthathisfoliohadpreviouslybeeninthepossessionofaMr。Parry。Ontheotherhand，Mr。Parry（thenaveryagedman）failedtorecognisehisfolioinMr。Collier's，forHIScopywas"cropped，"whereastheleavesofMr。Collier'sexamplewereNOTmutilated。Here，then（'Inquiry，'pp。12，61），wehavetwodescriptionsoftheoutwardaspectofMr。Collier'sdubioustreasure。Inoneaccountitis"muchcropped"bythebook-binder'scruelshears；intheother，itsunmutilatedconditioniscontrastedwiththatofacopywhichhasbeen"cropped。"Inanycase，Mr。
Collierhoped，hesays，tocompleteanimperfectfoliohepossessed，withleavestakenfromthefolionewlyacquiredforthirtyshillings。Butthevolumeshappenedtohavethesamedefects，andthehealingprocesswasimpossible。Mr。Collierchancedtobegoingintothecountry，wheninpackingthefoliohehadboughtofRuddhesawitwascoveredwithmanuscriptcorrectionsinanoldhand。
ThesehewasinclinedtoattributetooneThomasPerkins，whosenamewaswrittenonthefly-leaf，andwhomighthavebeenaconnectionofRichardPerkins，theactor（flor。1633）Thenotescontainedmanyvariousreadings，andverynumerouschangesinpunctuation。SomeoftheseMr。Collierpublishedinhis'NotesandEmendations'（1852），andinaneditionofthe'Plays。'Therewasmuchdiscussion，muchdoubt，andthefoliooftheoldcorrector（whowaspresumedtohavemarkedthebookinthetheatreduringearlyperformances）wasexhibitedtotheSocietyofAntiquaries。ThenMr。CollierpresentedthetreasuretotheDukeofDevonshire，whoagainlentitforexaminationtotheBritishMuseum。Mr。HamiltonpublishedintheTimes（July，1859）theresultsofhisexaminationoftheoldcorrector。Itturnedoutthattheoldcorrectorwasamodernmyth。