“MY DEAR SIR,—_The Trial of Shakespeare_ was, I think, published by Bentley. I have only read extracts from it in reviews; and though therein I recognised _nothing similar to my little sketch_, nevertheless the publication of the book does, on consideration, seem to preoccupy the subject. I concluded that you had seen something of the volume, or should before have pointed it out to you. If you please—for I confess myself somewhat thin-skinned under any charge of plagiary, the more especially when unmerited—you may omit the first legend. “For the second, it has never yet seen the light; nor am I aware of the existence of any essay to which even the uncharitableness of criticism might imagine a resemblance. “It struck me, on reading it, that were it broken up more into paragraphs—as new objects are introduced—it would be more effective. As it is the images crowding so closely upon each other—(whilst the spirit of the essay depends upon the distinctness with which they represent the several plays)—may confuse, and thus fail to satisfy the reader. If you think with me, and will again favour me with the proof, I will make the alterations with as little trouble as possible to the printer. There being now only one legend, I should call the paper _Shakespeare at Bank-side_.—I am, my dear Sir, yours truly, “DOUGLAS JERROLD.” “W. H. HARRISON, Esq.” Beyond the fact that they both deal with the tradition of Shakespeare’s deer-stealing escapade and departure from Stratford-on-Avon, there is but little similarity between Douglas Jerrold’s brief essay and Landor’s much longer work. With reference to _Shakespeare in China_ it may be of interest to point out—the author in satirising his fellow countryman later used the fiction of describing English characters from the Chinese point of view in _Punch_ of May 25th, 1844.