The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-03-08
who speak the tongue
That Shakespeare spake,

could not content himself with mere republicat
compilation. He has therefore prevailed upon r.
w. Weir, whose reputation an artist is already
Identified with his country's history, TO contribute
series Of original designs together with such advice
and assistance in other details of art his taste
suggest for the illustration and establishment of this
publication. From the same reasonHhe publisher, in
stead of reprnting the text and commentary OF any
popular English impression, was DESTROYS that his edi-
ton should have the supervision Of American edi
tor. This tax has been undertaken by GULlAN
G. NERPLANCh.
The plan proposed TO himself by the editor is to
furnish the reader with a carefully prepared and
curatey printed text unencumbered by any notes or
comments upon the page itself; as however useful
they may be elsewhere they too apt to divert the
mind from the power of the Poets thought, ano TO
disturb the magic of his scene. Such notes as may
be thought useful for the explanation criticism OF
the text will be thrown into an Appendix TO each
play.
The text Of Shakspeare's dramatic works, drawn
from old printed copies IN his age witch had never
passed under the authors own eye was consequently
dishgured by many errors and obscurtes IL passed
during the last century through succession Of vary
ing editions until the revision Of Stevens and Malone
whose text (or rather that OF Stevens) has become
| the standard from which most of the English and
American editions have been printed, with various
degrees Of accuracy, But within the last twenty
years a more minute and familiar acquaintance with
old English idons b abits and MODES Of thought
guided by an intense ana constantly increasing ADMIT
ration for Shakspeares genius, has led to the strong
conviction that very many Of the numerous though
slight deyiaons from the ancient text appearing In
modern editions, are useless inerpola-
lions sometimes weakening the sense and often sub
stituting an arbitrary monotonous melrca regularity
! to the Poets own native melody Accordingly very
many Of these cmendstions have been rejected by the
last and best English editors, especially Mr. Knight
and Mr.. Collier and the readings of the old folos and
quaros have been restored, unless where some error
Of the press manuscript undcniably manifest.
Yet there are many such passages confessedly cor
| rupt and requiring conjectural emend ition there
are also differences Of reading between the several
old Impressions affording grounds for some diversity
Of text and warm controversy between the more re
cent editors.
Upon these the American editor thinks ii due 10
the character OF this edition, to decide for himself
without implicitly following the text Of any one mod
ern edition. As the industry and learning Of prior
editors have furnished the collation. of various read
ings and the authorities upon which they may be sup
ported, the task is longer that Of laborous inyest
CATION but, as II were, OF judicial decision enlghten
ed by conIending argument.
As many Of these variations are Of nearly equa
probability, and as some OF them doubtless the au
thors alterations at different periuds all the
important readings will be presented TO the reader il
the notes for his selec ion. Those notes will slsC
contain so much Of commentary as may be useful I,
explain antlqustcd words and phrases, obscurey
pressed passages, and illusions 10 obsolete opinion
or the habits or history Of the times the whole in
condensed form IS practicable. But any common
lary upon Shakespeare however brief, would be i'm
perfect If dill not present view Of the highe
criticism employed, not on the Interpretation OF hl
language, but upon his thoughts his character, hi
poetry, passions, philosophy The only difficulty her
arises from The abundance, the magnificent variety
the materials contributed during the last half cen,ur
by the most brilliant minds OF Europe Still It IS be
lieved that this duty can be satisfactorily periorme
without swelling the edition to an ncgnvenent bulk
n. w. HEWET Publisher,
|, 2Sl Broadway.
, Any editor giving the above Prospectus 10 or ]
Insertions and an occasional notice OF the work dt
ring lis progress, will be regularly served with tn
numbers they appear, in exchange for their paper
Feb l1-if