Page:An Inquiry into the Authenticity of certain Papers and Instruments attributed to Shakspeare.djvu/33

Rh often proves the propriety of such an examination; for by the answers given to these questions, compared with the testimony of others and the real fact, the instrument set up is quickly overthrown.

“ if the point cannot finally or satisfactorily be decided either by the thing written, its paper or parchment vehicle, or seals appendant, or the other circumstances under which it was introduced, and must depend upon the place and person from whom they came, what becomes (we are asked) of the acumen of the Critick, or the skill and labour of the Antiquarian?”—To this question it is only necessary to answer, that, it is believed, no person of common sense was ever so absurd as to say that the authenticity of these papers depended  on the place from whence, or the person from whom, they came; though the inquirer ought, in the first instance, to have been informed on these points. This information, as I have already shewn, merely entitles them to be read. I concur, however, with the editor, that if these MSS. be spurious, the Critick and Antiquary will be able to detect them. Relinquishing