In presenting the results of my work in deciphering the bi-literal cypher, I expected criticism, but it has taken on some features that have been quite surprising to me.
To answer fittingly all the questions raised would be to write a book. Some are relevant, many not; some are prompted by desire for knowledge, others by a desire to check what they regard as a heresy; most show unfamiliarity with the subject, and not a few are mistaken in their statements of facts.
REPLY TO MR. CANDLER.
Mr. Candler, in the January number of the Nineteenth Century, republishes modified portions of an article that appeared in Baconiana to which I replied some time since, sending a copy of my article to him and to that magazine.
Mr. Candler makes his objections under the heads: History, Language, Arithmetical Puzzles, Geography, Proper Names, and Bacon’s Poetry.
HISTORY.
As to History, I can only say, if the decipherings had been my own invention, I should have had them in substantial accord with such records as exist, defective as they now appear. Had I “followed” accepted history, and prevailing ideas, and found in the cipher confirmation of what people wish to have true, I should have received encomiums due to an important discovery, and commendation for great skill and industry in working it out.
It was my misfortune that the cipher would not read that way, and no preconceived notions of my own could affect it. As I have elsewhere said “the facts of history” is an elastic term, and means to the individual that portion which the individual has learned. The records are by no means in accord, and discrepancies may well be left to the investigators, whose revisions from data they may hereafter be able to collect may greatly change existing ideas. The decipherer is in no way responsible for the disclosures of the cipher, nor allowed speculation as to the probabilities in the case. One question only is admissible—what does the cipher tell?
LANGUAGE.
Under Language, Mr. Candler makes five subdivisions.