Another point...
Another point to note is the fact that Browne is highlighting the lack of consensus amongst the senior police officials over the identity of the Ripper, ergo he cites Anderson ('a low-class Polish Jew'), Thomson ('a man who committed suicide in the Thames at the end of 1888') and Macnaghten ('the leader of a plot to assassinate Mr Balfour at the Irish Office'), his point being to illustrate a variety of suspects named by three senior Scotland Yard officers.
We then have to look at this in the context of Browne's times and the published 'Ripperology' of the day. I think that Browne probably had read Macnaghten's book and there found the verse he used. I also think that he was aware that Macnaghten gave his 'inclination to the belief' that the murderer had committed suicide. By the same token I also think that Browne thought that the police chiefs actually had no positive idea as to the identity of the Ripper, and illustrated that fact. He followed the official versions with the comment 'Where experts [i.e. the senior police officers] disagree' with, 'there is a fine opening for fancy...' Notable amongst the 'fancy' based theories is William Stewart's midwife theory which he states is, '...a fascinating one, but will not bear close scrutiny.' (to be continued).
Another point to note is the fact that Browne is highlighting the lack of consensus amongst the senior police officials over the identity of the Ripper, ergo he cites Anderson ('a low-class Polish Jew'), Thomson ('a man who committed suicide in the Thames at the end of 1888') and Macnaghten ('the leader of a plot to assassinate Mr Balfour at the Irish Office'), his point being to illustrate a variety of suspects named by three senior Scotland Yard officers.
We then have to look at this in the context of Browne's times and the published 'Ripperology' of the day. I think that Browne probably had read Macnaghten's book and there found the verse he used. I also think that he was aware that Macnaghten gave his 'inclination to the belief' that the murderer had committed suicide. By the same token I also think that Browne thought that the police chiefs actually had no positive idea as to the identity of the Ripper, and illustrated that fact. He followed the official versions with the comment 'Where experts [i.e. the senior police officers] disagree' with, 'there is a fine opening for fancy...' Notable amongst the 'fancy' based theories is William Stewart's midwife theory which he states is, '...a fascinating one, but will not bear close scrutiny.' (to be continued).
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