stated which gave rise to the selection, and the publication of them.

Upon visiting Stratford-upon-Avon, the Compiler observed in the room where "Shakespeare's Relicks" are exhibited, a large written paper, in a gilt frame, (designedly presented to the view), termed "a copy of Shakespeare's Will," but drawn up in the Roman Catholic form; representing itself, as a faithful copy of the real Will, deposited at Doctors' Commons.

Having repeatedly seen printed copies of his genuine Will, fraud was immediately apparent; and as it was manifestly placed there for the purpose of deceiving the world, by the insidious attempt to prove him a Papist, the Compiler resolved, in justice to Shakespeare's memory-in justice to the Reformed Religion-and in justice to the divinity of Truth,— to expose the fraudulent design, by proving from Shakespeare's own writings, that he lived and died a

true Protestant.

With this view, the following extracts from his works, and from the Scriptures, have been collected, and placed together in parallel positions, to shew the

close affinity that exists between the sentences there exhibited, from his works, and passages taken from Holy Writ.

It has been thought right, however, antecedently to present to the reader, copies of the preambles to the true and the fraudulent Wills, in order that he may, himself, judge of the motive for the fabrication, and of the motive for the refutation.

TRUE COPY

OF THE PREAMBLE то

Shakespeare's Will,

Extracted from the Registry of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

66

Vicesimo quinto die Martii, anno regni domini nostri Jacobi, nunc Rex Angliæ, &c. decimo quarto, et Scotia quadragesimo nono. Anno Domini 1616.

"In the name of God, Amen! I, William Shakespeare, of Stratford-upon-Avon, in the County of Warwick, Gentleman, in perfect health and memory, (God be praised!) do make and ordain this my last will and testament, in manner and form following:-that is to say,

"First-I commend my soul into the hands of God, my Creator; hoping, and assuredly believing, through the only merits of Jesus Christ, my Saviour, to be made partaker of life everlasting; and my body to the earth whereof that is made.

"Item-I give and bequeath," &c.

N.B. This Preamble has been minutely compared, and it correctly corresponds with the true original last will and testament of Shakespeare, deposited in the Prerogative Office, at Doctors' Commons.

Copy of the Preamble to a Manuscript exhibited as

Shakespeare's Will,

At a House in Stratford-upon-Avon, where his relics are shewn.*

PREAMBLE:

"Vicesimo quinto die Martii, anno regni domini nostri Jacobi, nunc Rex Angliæ, &c. decimo quarto, et Scotia quadragesimo nono. Anno Domini 1616.

"In the name of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; the most holy and blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God; the Holy Ghost, of Arc-Angels, Angels, Patriarchs, Prophets, Evangelists, Apostles, Saints, Martyrs, and all the Celestial Courts and Companies of Heaven,

I, William Shakespear, an unworthy member of the Holy Catholic Religion, being, at this my present writing, in perfect health of body, sound mind, memory,

* The proprietors of the house where this Will is shewn (amongst the relics) are innocent of the fraud, and ignorant of its import, being poor persons, to whom the articles exhibited devolved by descent.

and understanding, but calling to mind the uncertainty of life, and the certainty of death, and that I may be possibly cut off in the blossom of my sins, and called to render an account of all my transgressions, external and internal, and that I may be unprepared for the dreadful trial, either by sacrament, penance, fasting, or prayer, or any other purgation whatever,do, in the holy presence above specified, of my own free and voluntary accord, make and ordain this my last spiritual Will, Testament, Confession, Protestation, and Confession of Faith; hoping hereby to receive pardon for all my sins and offences, and thereby to be made partaker of life everlasting, through the only merits of Jesus Christ, my Saviour and Redeemer ; who took upon himself the likeness of man, suffered death, and was crucified upon the cross, for the redemption of sinners.

Item. I, William Shakespear, do, by this present, protest, acknowledge, and confess, that in my past life I have been a most abominable and grievous sinner, and therefore unworthy to be forgiven without a true and sincere repentance for the same; but, trusting in the manifold mercies of my blessed Saviour and Redeemer, I am encouraged, by relying on His Sacred Word, to hope for salvation, and be made partaker of His Heavenly Kingdom, as a member of the Celestial Company of Angels, Saints, and Martyrs, and therefore reside for ever and ever in the Court of my God.