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.” CARLYLUS, an aged Philosopher of the Anglo-Saxon-and-Water School. General Members and Ass-ociates of the Society. The first scene opens thus―― _A Library._――FURNIVALLOS, (in his shirt sleeves) sitting at a table.