THE OVER ESTIMATION OF SHAKESPEARE.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 18 October 1911, Page 3

THE OVER ESTIMATION OF SHAKESPEARE.

Theatre Royal, Utopia, Realms of Bliss,

TO THE EDITOR,

Sir, —'I'he other uay I had the great good fortune to pick up a copy of your excellent publication (which had no doubt been blown up here by some severe gale experienced in your vicinity) dated, according as you mortals reckon time, the 11th day of October, in the year 191!. I must confess that a large amount of its contents sorely puzzles me ; for instance, T read in one place " Helensville-Auckland Bailway." "What is a railway ?

But what does intesest me is a letter pertaining to myself and signed by one *' Marshall H. Hudson, Kaukapakapa." I am ignorant of what the latter may mean, but T presume it is the writer's title, or the name of some great and honoured profession which he adorns. Mayb^ even'l it is the name of some- high office vvhich he holds in addition to that of Marshall. Of this, however, I am in ignorance, for it is, alas, true, as he affirms in his most excellent dissertation, that my knowledge of the manners and customs of your earth is confined to that period of its history prior to the time when I finally made my exit and retired to the greenroom ; and 1 am grossly ignorant ot what he terms " modern social movements." It is therefore with great pleasure that I learn that such a skilled critic has taken up his pen against me, and, in his genprosity, is fain to admit that I, even I, have written li a few very beaut'ful passages." "Would that I might return to Earth once more that I might sit at Master Hudson's feet and listen to the words of wisdom that fall from his lips ! With such encouragement from siich a man, one might well aspire to fame. In fact, my friend Dr Johnson (who is looking over my shoulder as I write this) assures me that had Master Hudson ]ived in his day, he must have been saved the years of struggling and poverty with which he was afflicted.

Emboldened therefore by such encouragement, I beg leave most respectfully to suggest that Master Hudson is in error in his impeachment cf my character. I deny that 1 lived " a dissipated and immoral life " —far less dissipated and immoral, in fact, than the author of the very poem he quotes as his ideal of poetry! In short, I believe I lived very much the same sort of life, neither better nor worse, than the average Englishmen of my time.

Furthermore, Master Hudson closes his excellent letter with some exquisite lines, in some of which (no doubt in a moment of aberration) he copies (with a few words altered) some lines from my own writings. I feel highly honoured that he should have so far condescended to utilise ana improve upon any of my poor efforts ; and as I have ahvo.ys hold, and practised (in my own writings) that '* imitation is the sincereat forms of flrttery," I take fccis as a signal instance of his kind^ ly regard for me, and a wish tn overlook my shortcomings. I trust therofore that he will avail hitnstlf of any opportunity that should present itself of adapting my humble writings to his great intellect t.y making whatever use of thorn he may in his wisdom deem fit.

Allow me to subscribe myself, dear sir, in great gratitude,

Your most humble .servant. William Shakhspkare,