from real life; in London there were numerous representatives of the different nationalities with whom he might easily have come in contact. This is another point that must be taken into consideration if a correct idea is to be formed of the degree of Shakespeare's linguistic knowledge, and of the manner in which he acquired it. That Shakespeare made industrious use of the existing translations of modern authors, in the same way as he did of works originally written in Latin or Greek, is a fact too well known to admit of a doubt; but it is only a very limited argument against his having known the languages. It would be absurd to imagine that he despised translations of French and Italian romances, for the latter, more especially, had been a mine full of valuable material to him.-ELZE, William Shakespeare. SYNOPSIS By J. ELLIS BURDICK ACT I Sir John Falstaff is attracted to Mistress Ford and Mistress Page, two women of Windsor, and, although they are married, he determines to win their affections. Anne, daughter to Mistress Page, is courted by a young provincial gentleman, Abraham Slender, by a Welsh schoolmaster and preacher, Sir Hugh Evans, by a French physician, Doctor Caius, and by Fenton, a courtier. ACT II Falstaff writes notes to both Mistress Ford and Mistress Page, and when the ladies compare them, they are found ́to be almost identical in wording. They are angry, and counsel together how they may avenge themselves and punish the man's impudence. Mistress Ford makes an appointment with him. Pistol and Nye, servants to Sir John, tell the husbands that their master loves the ladies. Page is content to let his wife settle with Falstaff, but Ford disguises himself and wins from the knight the secret of his appointment with Mistress Ford. ACT III On the night of the meeting, Mistress Page goes to Mistress Ford's house before the knight's arrival and they prepare a large basket of soiled linen, intending to tell Falstaff that the only way he can safely leave the house is to be carried out in this basket. Just as they are carrying out this ruse, the jealous Ford, accompanied by |