"It is now universally admitted among competent critics, that
Shakspeare commenced his career as a dramatic author, by
remodelling certain pieces written {370} either separately or
conjointly by Greene, Marlowe, Lodge, and Peele."
An anonymous writer commits himself to nothing, and I should not have
noticed the above but that they illustrate my position. In the passage
first cited, if the writer mean "as a writer for the stage _in print_,"
it proves nothing; but if the words "in print" are not intended to be so
connected, the assertion cannot be proved, and _many_ "competent
critics" will tell him it is most improbable. The assertion of the
second quotation is simply untrue; Mr. Knight has not admitted what is
stated therein, and if I recollect right, an Edinburgh Reviewer has
concurred with him in judgment. Neither of these, I presume, will be
called incompetent. I cannot suppose that either assertion would have
been made but for the spirit to which I have alluded; for no cause was
ever the better for allegations that could not be maintained.
In some former papers which you did me the honour to publish, I gave it
incidentally as my opinion that Marlowe was the author of the _Taming of
a Shrew_. I have since learned, through Mr. Halliwell, that Mr. Dyce is
confident, from the style, that he was not. Had I the opportunity, I
might ask Mr. Dyce "which style?" That of the passages I cited as being
identical with passages in Marlowe's acknowledged plays will not, I
presume, be disputed; and of that of such scenes as the one between
Sander and the tailor, I am as confident as Mr.
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