Which make us grin and bear the ills we have
Rather than, à la Furnivall, to make
“A hasty try to set ’em right.” Ah, yes,
’Tis noodledom makes cowards of us all!!!
Mr. F. J. Furnivall’s fussy and hasty “tries to set everybody right” about all that relates to Shakespeare are well-known, as is also his objection to any contradiction of his favorite theories.
The “New Shakspere Society” was apparently founded by Mr. F. J. Furnivall for two purposes, firstly, for the glorification of Mr. Furnivall, and secondly, to instruct the British public to spell the name of Shakespeare in a different manner to that commonly adopted, and which was generally used by his contemporaries. If the Society has partially succeeded in its first object, it has totally failed in the second; when the press does condescend to notice its proceedings it is almost invariably styled the New Shakespeare Society, notwithstanding the anger, and the constant protests of Mr. F. J. Furnivall. A pretty controversy was raised on the question of Shakespeare or Shakspere between J. O. Halliwell-Phillipps—who is an authority, and Mr. Furnivall, who is—simply Mr. Furnivall. The latter gentleman’s arguments, expressed in peculiar diction, and still more peculiar orthography, consisted principally of personalities, and Mr. A. C. Swinburne (who happened to disagree with him) was styled a minor poet, and his name translated into pigs-brook (from swine—a pig, and burne—a brook) by the courteous founder of the “New Shakspere Society.”[34]
A very humorous account of the origin of this Society was given in a little pamphlet entitled Furnivallos Furioso! and “The Newest Shakespeare Society;” a Dram-Attic Squib of the Period. (T. Richards, 37, Great Queen Street, London, 1876). The Dramatis Personæ are thus described:—
Furnivallos, surnamed Furioso, a great Critic, and Founder of the “Newest Shakespeare Society.”
Tupperius, his Friend and A-bettor, Poet-Critic, and “Proverbial” Philosopher (in his own estimation).
Dixonus, Reviewer and Author in general. A great admirer of Himself, “with scarce time to steal from Spiritual.”