1

PREFACE.

I

AM aware that the attempt made in this

volume has been anticipated by others. The notes of critics and commentators upon Shakespeare, superfluously full in certain particulars, are singularly meagre in pointing out and explaining his references to the technical science of the Law. And yet the room for such reference is abundant.

In selecting the passages and the illustra tions and criticisms thereon, which will be found in the following pages, constant use has been made of the various editions of Shakespeare. I have not relied upon my own complete perusal of his Works. From

"Eirenarcha," 1582.

the wealth of material I have made a copious selection. In the language of Lambard, "If I shall be thoughte to have heaped up too many conceites, I make answere that I have omitted manye, and have made the best choice that I could. Moreover, I will no lesse gladly be admonished of my mistakings, than readily reforme them."

In printing the quotations I have, in general, followed the text of the Third Edition of Dyce.

SHAKESPEARE AS A LAWYER.

"ALL

CHAPTER I.

LL that is known with any degree of certainty concerning Shakespeare, is, that he was born at Stratford-upon-Avon; married and had children there; went to London, where he commenced actor, and wrote poems and plays; returned to Stratford, made his will, died, and was buried." The Rev. Alexander Dyce says, "Such is the remark made long ago by one of the most acute of his commentators; and even at the present day, notwithstanding some additional notices of Shakespeare which have

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Steevens.

Dyce.

Malone.

Collier.

Legal Terms.

been more recently discovered, — the truth
of the remark can hardly fail to be felt and
acknowledged by all, except by professed
antiquaries, with whom the mere mention of
a name, in whatever kind of document, as-
sumes the character of an important fact."
In 1790 Malone himself a barrister,
whose services, whether as biographer or
commentator, have never been adequately
acknowledged-published his first edition.
of Shakespeare's Works. It was his opinion,
an opinion subsequently adopted by several
other critics, that some years of Shake-
speare's youth were passed in an attorney's
office. He observes that the Poet's "knowl-
edge of legal terms is not merely such as
might be acquired by the casual observation
of even his all-comprehending mind; it has
the appearance of technical skill; and he is
so fond of displaying it on all occasions,
that I suspect he was early initiated in at
least the forms of law, and was employed,
while he yet remained at Stratford, in the
office of some country attorney, who was