Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 6.djvu/184

 148

NOTES AND QUERIES. (12 8. vi. APRIL 2*. 1920.

found appearances of signalling by the o=l to z = 24 or " crosse row " code (which allots both i and j the value 9 and both u and v the value 20), and by that code alone.

It seeming possible that minor signals might have been arranged in the shape of a couple of initial letters of the full depth of the poem, I first' ascertained what letters could be given a three-row top as for reasons already stated a conceivably marked- off section. I found that on the rational assumption that each separate stroke or loop should be of the same thickness throughout, only an / could be allotted such a top in a total depth of but eight rows of word numerical values. And it was then evident that as some lines of the poem contain but six words, with the consequence that a full chess-board area of word numerical values, 8 X 8, is not available, the experiment should be with the first four columns ol words and values as the equivalent of half a chess-board.

Here are the words and values of such half chess-board area :

WEE wondred Shakespeare that 31 78 103

From the Worlds Stage 49 32 85 5

Wee thought thee dead 31 95 37 1*

Tels thy Spectators that 53 60 129 47

To enter with applause 33 59 67 Sft

Can dye and live 17 32 18 45

Thats but an Exit 65 41 14 65

This a Re-entrance to 64 1 98 33

At this point of my search I ascertained the total numerical value of the 20 outside words of this area, and found it to be 990. And I then traced out a three-row-top F in such area which took 19 word numerical values. This turned out to have the same total numerical value as what might be called its " frame," viz., 990.

The two halves of this arguable double signal are respectively as follows :

(A) The ' frame ' of outside (B) The arguably signalled values of operating area. initial letter F.

31 78 103 47 31 78 103 47

49 60 49 32 85 60

14 31 95 37 14

53 47 53

33 86 33 59 67

17 45 17

65 65 65

54 1 98 33 54

Now for a fuller statement of the coin- cidences : (1) Both the / and its " frame " total 990 in word numerical value ; (2) in both instances the colour of square division of the 990 is 439 white and 551 black when all 32 word numerical values are placed on the squares of a chess-board ; (3) the cross- sum or digit addition total for all 32 values, 280, is divided as three top rows 103, five bottom rows 177, while, taking all eight

rows together, the colour of square division is 103 white and 177 black. Moreover 103 happens to be the equivalent of the surname Shakespeare, and 177 the equivalent of the full publication name of the poet William Shakespeare.

I placed the cross-sum section of these coincidences, entirely by itself and without mention of the equivalents, before one of our foremost mathematicians, Prof. Andrew R. Forsyth, F.R.S., the Chief Professor of Mathematics at the Imperial College or Science and Technology, as it constitutes a clean cut mathematical problem of the odds, for or against a mere chance origin. And. Prof. Forsyth pronounced as follows :

" If digits alone were of importance, precisely the same result would follow from :

4 58

4 35

6

8 38

9

96 5

59

23

86

5

5

1

4

67

28

39

75

9

5

89

65

5

41

83 77

9 46

6

" In the next place, when the sum of the digits on the white squares is 103, the sum of those on-, the black squares as taken from your table (or mine) is bound to be 177 ; for the total sum of all the digits is 280.

" I have thought enough to see that the chances against the mere chance would be multitudinously overwhelming .... But now for a more important suggestion to you. The impression left upon me is that you are in the presence of one of those cryptograms so dear to some minds through many ages."

I had long before suspected the existence of a cryptogram, and have almost as long had ready for publication a tentative completion of the cryptogram as I have felt forced to envisage it. But many judge this unsatisfactory from a sentimental point of" view. And if readers of ' N. & Q.' can provide a solution which shall be deemed, satisfying from a sentimental as well as from a mathematical point of view, I would willingly adopt it in preference to my own. J. DENHAM PARSONS.

Ravenswood, 45 Sutton Court Road, Chiswick, W.4.

POSTERN GATES IN THE WALL OF LONDON. It has been recently stated that Warwick the King-maker used to go in and out of London by a private postern gate, the situation of which is still marked by a Bight of steps running down from Warwick Square towards the Old Bailey. Are these statements correct, and how many postera gates existed in the wall of London ?

J. LANDFEAR LUCAS..