Detroit, January 9.
P. S. Jan. 11.—Copies of your issue of December 26 and 27 have just reached me.
The articles on the “Bacon Bi-literal Cypher” show that The Times is not averse to whatever aids in elucidation of this new phase of the Bacon-Shakespeare question.
I am glad to note that “A Correspondent” has taken some of the preliminary steps to an actual examination of the cipher and apparently has the perception required to reach conclusions that Mr. Mallock and Mr. Sinnett have also reached as to distinctive variations in the forms of letters used in the old books. This denotes real progress in the investigation, and I think the gentleman, with patience, would easily become a decipherer. The peculiarities of the type are clear to the skilled artist or engraver, but they are not so quickly apparent to those less fitted for the closest observation.
Some of the difficulties encountered by the novice are explained by Mr. Sinnett in the issue of the 27th. I shall be greatly pleased to clear up some of this correspondent’s difficulties, in another communication, but will only note in this two paragraphs. One difficulty he mentions is that in certain passages he does not find sufficient Italic letters to make up the extracted sentences. He had overlooked the application of the passage in the book, on pp. 66-67:—
“In order to conceale my Cypher more perfectly I am preparing for th’ purpose a sette of alphabets in th’ Latine tipe not for use in th’ greatest or lengthy story or epistle, but as another disguise, for, in ensample, a prologue, praefatio, the epilogues, and head lines attracted too much notice. I, therefore, have given much trouble to mine ayders by making two kinds or formes of these letters. These be not designed for other use than hath but now beene explain’d, nor must you looke to see them employ’d if a reason for th’ change appeare, but there will be warning given you for your instruction or guidance. Noe othe’ waie of diverting th’ curious could be used where th’ exteriour epistle is but briefe, however it will not thus turn aside my decipherer, for his eye is too well practs’d in artes that easily misleade others who enquire of th’ waie.”
There are a very few dedications, commendatory poems, headings, etc., in which Roman letters were used by Bacon. These are in his later printings.
Another thing this correspondent makes note of is that many of the old books of the Elizabethan period have the same differences. I have examined many of these, beside those belonging to Bacon in which differences occur. In some of them I was led to think the cipher might be found, but on examination it was seen that the different forms were used promiscuously, without method, and could not be grouped in fives to read in the bi-literal.
Replying to Mr. Lee’s communication in the issue of the 27th, I quote this extraordinary extract: