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they have not for me the charm of these
two early books

Those who have read
J Payn's novel "The Talk of the Town",
will remember the interesting use he
makes in it of the incident - known
as the "Ireland Shakespere forgeries" - occuring at
the close of the 18th century. To
Saml. Ireland, the well known engraver
antiquarian, and dramatic student,
his adopted son - Wm. Henry - brought
several letters and documents, in
the professed handwriting of Queen
Elizabeth - Jno Hemgnye -, The Earl of Southampton
and shakespere, followed by a
version of Kynge Leare, and an
hitherto unknown play - apparently
in the autograph of the poet -
titled "Vortigern". He explained his
possession of these rarieties by
saying an old Worcestershire friend

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