Singularly enough, a man named William Shakspeare was at work near the spot when this ring was picked up.[267] Little doubt can be entertained that it belonged to the poet and is probably the one he lost before his death and was not to be found when his will was executed, the word _hand_ being substituted for _seale_ in the original copy of that document. The only other person at Stratford having the same initials and likely to possess such a seal was William Smith, but he used one having a different device, as may be seen from several indentures preserved amongst the records of the corporation. Halliwell believes in the authenticity of this relic. Mr. Wheeler, its owner, says: “Though I purchased it upon the same day for 36s. (the current value of the gold) the woman had sufficient time to destroy the precious _ærugo_, by having it unnecessarily immersed in _aquafortis_, to ascertain and prove the metal, at a silversmith’s shop, which consequently restored its original color.” In the Life of Haydon the painter,[268] we have the following letter from him to Keats, (March 1, 1818:) “My dear Keats, I shall go mad! In a field at Stratford-upon-Avon, that belonged to Shakspeare, they have found a gold ring and seal, with the initials W. S. and a true lover’s knot between. If this is not Shakspeare’s, whose is it?--a true lover’s knot! I saw an impression to-day, and am to have one as soon as possible: as sure as you breathe and that he was the first of beings, the seal belonged to him. “O Lord! B. R. HAYDON.”