Concerning the bi-literal cypher of Francis Bacon discovered in his works

by Elizabeth Wells Gallup

It was suggested to me, by a member who disliked the facts revealed in the cipher story, that even if I found the 1,319 capitals correctly used, that would not be sufficient to prove the existence of the cipher, unless I could also find that the small letters were correctly used by Mrs. Gallup. This made me leave the capitals for a time. I have since studied all the small letters of the medium italic type in those first fifty pages. But as they represent 8,739 letters, for the present I can only say I have finished my studies on three of the letters, namely, “k,” “p,” “w,” and with only one or two exceptions I find them correctly used.

If my figures are correct, and I am prepared for the severest examination on these facts, can it be chance that those letters are correctly used in Mrs. Gallup’s MSS.?

I would like to say here, that were it actually the case that only two forms of letters are used, the deciphering of over 10,000 letters would have been a comparatively easy work. But in some of the letters there are many variations, and these again must be paired. And yet in all these pairings there is system and order, and a method in all the seeming madness.

My work would have progressed much more rapidly had two or three others worked with me. For those who have the leisure and much patience I can recommend this interesting study. I am willing and in a position to give them many short cuts, and they, in their turn, could, I have no doubt, help to finish the work I have commenced, that is, simply to verify the working of Mrs. Gallup’s MSS. on this Henry VII. Those Baconians who have never very seriously tried to work at the cipher, and are more concerned in refusing to accept the rather unpleasant historical facts revealed, I would ask to suspend their judgment, and to allow others, who may be honestly and seriously trying to arrive at the truth, still to be allowed to examine the work submitted by Mrs. Gallup at the request of some of the members of our Society. The more I, as an amateur, study this technical part of our work, the more convinced I feel that Bacon did use his famous bi-literal cipher in his own prose history of Henry VII. A new discovery has been placed before us, and by experts; why should we discredit their labours, and refuse to give an equal amount of time and patience in examining their work?

I would like here to bring forward some curious facts connected with the printing of the 1622 edition of Henry VII. I have before me six copies—one belonging to Mrs. Pott, another to Mrs. Payne, and four of my own. Mrs. Payne’s copy is similar to the copy collated for me by Mrs. Gallup. Mrs. Pott’s copy has many differences in it—not in the words and matter, but in the use of the two founts of the Italic type. Two of my own copies are similar to Mrs. Pott’s copy. My fourth copy, again, is quite different to all the others. Why should there be these differences in the various copies of the same edition? Why should type once set up have been altered? And, when altered, why should these changes be carried through with system and order in other copies? Before closing this paper, I would like to remind Baconians that Bacon, in writing to Tobie Mathew in 1609, uses these words: “I have sent you some copies of my book of the Advancement which you desired; and a little work of my recreation which you desired not. My Instauration I reserve for our conference; it sleeps not. Those works of the alphabet are in my opinion of less use to you now than at Paris.... But in regard that some friends of yours have still insisted here, I send them to you, and for my part I value your own reading more than your publishing them to others” (Spedding, vol. iv., p. 134). Spedding, in criticising this letter, says, “What these 'Works of the Alphabet’ may have been I cannot guess, unless they related to Bacon’s cipher.” Spedding then proceeds again to explain this cipher.

Archbishop Tenison in 1679 was evidently aware that Bacon had used his Bi-literal Cipher in the 1623 folio of the “De Augmentis” for he especially recommends that “accurate” edition to those who wish to understand the Lord Bacon’s Cipher (Baconiana, 1679, p. 28). I myself have very little doubt but that Tenison used the same cipher all through his Baconiana. I only wish I were an expert, and could decipher what he says.

D. J. Kindersley.

HENRY VII.

A Reply to the Report of Mr. Bompas.

Baconiana, London, Oct. 1905.