ABSTRACT
I have often wondered with what kind of reasoning any one could be so far imposed on as to imagine that Shakespeare had no learning when it must at the same time be acknowledged that without learning he cannot be read with any degree of understanding or taste. At this time of day he will hardly be allowed that inspiration which his brother bards formerly claim’d, and which claim, if the pretensions were any ways answerable, was generally granted them. However we are well assured from the histories of his times that he was early initiated into the sacred company of the Muses, and tho’ he might have small avocations yet he soon returned again with greater eagerness to his beloved studies. Hence he was possessed of sufficient helps, either from abroad or at home, to midwife into the world his great and beautiful conceptions and to give them birth and being. That a contrary opinion has ever prevailed is owing partly to Ben Jonson’s jealousy, and partly to the pride and pertness of dunces who, under such a name as Shakespeare’s, would gladly shelter their own idleness and ignorance.
