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

by Elizabeth Wells Gallup

Baconiana, London.

Elizabeth Wells Gallup.

Editor Baconiania:

From reading the January number of the Magazine, it would seem that I had at least furnished a new topic for discussion, and given a new impetus to the study of things Baconian, in the discovery that the Bi-literal Cipher of Francis Bacon was incorporated in the printing of his works, and that a secret story of the great Author was hidden in them. This in itself is a distinct gain for the study had seemed to languish for material upon which to feed until the opening of new channels of thought and research and comparison of ideas upon the new discovery. The object of the Society is investigation, First: of Bacon’s authorship of a much wider range of literature than has been accredited to him upon the title pages of the books of his time. Secondly: many have believed that Ciphers would be found that would present new phases of his life history which has seemed so mysterious, if only the right “key” could be touched. The limits of novelty in the discussion of all these things seemed to have been reached, however. Paralellisms in philosophy, language and thought had been urged until variety of phrases had been exhausted in comparing them, yet all arguments, while morally conclusive to the party urging them, were tinged with inconclusiveness in the lack of physical demonstration. The Ciphers found furnish the missing links which explain much, if not all.

Naturally the Ciphers and what they tell invite investigation and the pages of Baconiania would seem a not inappropriate forum for their discussion.

The understandings of different individuals concerning the same subject are almost as varied as the individuals themselves, hence we must expect a variety of opinions. Concourse of words has such different meanings to different people that we are compelled to believe that the brain is like a plastic matter of varying degrees of hardness, receiving but the faintest impression, or none, of some things, while others are deeply imprinted upon the recording tablets of memory. Then, too, the sources of information are so varied that the results of studying them are like looking through glasses of differing color and focus, and the individual receives and describes the impression from their own particular lense and confidently asserts that to be the only truth, hence investigation, comparison and discussion are needful in the clarifying process.

Investigation, however, does not mean rejection of that which is new or unpleasant or not in accord with our preconceived ideas, else my own labors upon old books would have stopped years ago, and I should not now be engaged in explaining what I have found, and the old beliefs would not have suffered the jar of a “Cipher discovery”.

Fully conscious of the absolute veracity of the work I have done, and my responsibility in the expression, I know that the Bi-literal Cipher exists in the printing of Bacon’s works: I know that others can follow over the same course, if they have the aptitude and patience for it, and can reach no other correct results. To those who have availed themselves of the opportunity carefully to study and follow my work, no argument is needed to convince them of my assertion. Doubts and objections come from those who have not had that opportunity or have given the work but slight attention.

There are those who seem to think the deciphered work as published is a creation of my own,—or that I am self-deceived. They do me too much honor,—or too little. It is an honor to be thought capable of such a production, through the gathering of historical facts, aided by a romantic imagination, and the power to express it all in the pure old English language of Francis Bacon. Did I possess such creative powers I would have devoted them to some more popular theme and spared eyes and brain from the nervous exhaustion of examining seven thousand pages of old English printing for the peculiarities of the Italic letters in them. I cannot aspire to the honor of such a “creation.”

On the other hand, it is not complimentary to my judgment, or that of my publishers, that I, or they, should go through the constant researches of the last seven years in libraries so widely scattered,—self deceived as to the resulting work, expending so much of time and strength and substance in developing something that was non-existent;—or if not that—and the Cipher has no reason for existence—what shall be said of so stupendous and brain-racking effort to deceive my readers with so purposeless a production.