The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-02-26
A NEW ERA
A NEW ERA
or
S III A X S p l. A X T.
IN AMERICA

~ htOH etH pHOtiSHe0
EDITED ny THE
HON GULIAN G.. VERPLANCK.
ROBT w. WEIR, ESQ,
will design, select, and arrange the illustrations of
which there will be about |, 400 executed on wood,
in the very best style of the modern school of that
art.
In submitting the Prospectus Of the Editor to the
public, the publisher has only TO add that he will
spare neither expense nor pains to make this edition
of the Worlds Poet superior TO any that has hereto
fore appeared-in illustrations, ,ypograpy and paper.
The form will be royal octave, and will be issued in
weekly parts, price 10. cents, which places it within
the means of persons of the most limited fortunes,
whilst on account of its peculiar b, auty it will gain
itself admission into the libraries Of the rich and there
prove to be one Of the choicest ornaments.
Those who wish this work in most perfect state
will only be sure OF il by taking the parts they APP
pear which will contain the early proofs Of the
cravings.
The Tragedy Of Hamlet is now in press The first
part will be issued in March.
PROSPECTUS.
The PrcTomAL and ILLUMINATED editions of
SHAKESPEARE, lately published in England, are
amongst the most beautiful specimens of the recent
and remarkable improvement Of the art of wood en-
craving, which by combining great excellence Of ex.
ecu ion with economy Of price, has given an unprece-
de ted diffusion 10 the most useful well the mos,
exquisite productions Of the arts of Design.
The deslg ns Of kENNY MEADOW for the iilustra-
tons Of Tyas edition OF Shakespeare express the cha
racter oil the several personages, and the split of the
scene, with wonderful truth and power; whilst the
wood engraving Of Knights Pictorial edition combine
with the highest merits of art ard taste such learn
ed and minute accuracy as TO scenery, costume ar
chectuTe and antiquity, as to make them perpetual
and most instructive commentary upon the Poets
text II is now proposed to imbody in an AMERICAN
the admirable illustrations Of both these edi-
tons, engraved with equal excellence Of mechanical
execution, 10 add TO these, other engravings from
emnent artists, as Reynolds Fuel, S. Newton SC,
and to accompany them with a beautifully printed
and correct text.
But the publisher anxious that his country should
pay some part Of the homage due from her to the
greatest OF Poets, as TO one who belongs not solely TO
England, but to all
WHO speak The tongue
That Shakespeare spake,
could not content himself with mere republication
OF compilation He has there fore prevailed upon r.
w. Weir, whose reputation an artist is already
identified with his counry's history, TO contribute
series OF original designs, together W it'll such advice
and assistance in other details Of his may
suggest for the Illustration and establishment OF this
publication. From the same reason the publisher in
stead OF reprInng the text and commentary of any
popular Engish IMPRESSION DESTROYS that his edi-
ton should have the supervision Of American edi-
tor. Tbs Ia has been undertaken by GULIAN
&c. YERPLANCk
The plan proposed TO himself by the editor is to
furnish the reader with carefully prepared and ac-
cur1tey printed text, uncncumbered 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 anu TO
disturb the magic OF his scene. Such notes as may
be thought useful for the explanation criticism Of
the text will he thrown is,o an Appendix to each
play.
The text Of shakspeare's dramatic works, drawn
from old printed copies in his age, ich had never
passed under the authors eye was consequently
dishgured by many errors and obscurtios 1t passed
during the last century th ough succession of vary
ing editions until the revision of Stevens aud Malone
whose text Tor 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 more minute and familiar a. quanlance with
old English idoims, ablts and MODES Of thought
guided by an intense and constantly increasing admit
ration Tor Shskspeares e MUS has led 10 the strong
conviction that very many Of the numerous though
slight deviations from the ancient text appearing in
modern edtiuns, are useless erroneous nierpola-
tons, sometimes weakening the sense and often sub
stung an arbitrary monotoDous metrical regularity
10 the Poets own native melody. Accordingly very
many of these cancellations have been ejected by the
last and best English editors, especially Mr. Knight
and Mr. Collier and the readings of the old folios and
quartos have been restored unlccs where some error
OF the press or manuscript undeniably manifest
Yet there are many such passages conf.ssedly cor
rupt, and requiring conJectura emend .tou there
are also differences Of reading between the several
old Impressions afordng grounds for some diversity
OF text and warm controversy between the more re-
cent editors.
Upon these, the American editor thinks il due TO
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 ~ Tor
editors have furnished the collation. of various read
ngs and the authorities upon which they ma, be sup
ported the task is longer that Of laborous inyes
CATION, but As were, OF judicial decision epplten-
ed by contending argument.
As many of these variat ons arc of nearly canal
probability aud as some Of them are doubtless the an
thors alterations at different perods all the more
important readings will be presented TO the reader in
the notes for his own secc ion Those notes will also
contain so much Of commentary as may be useful 10
explain antiquaed words and phrases obscurely ex-
pressed passages, and illusions to obsolete opinions
or the habits or history OF The times the whole in as
condensed form as practicable. But any common.
tary upon Shak peare however brief, would be i'm
perfect II II did not present view Of the higher
criticism employed, not the Interpretation OF his
language, but upon his thoughts his character his
poetry, passions, philosophy The only difficulty here
arises from the abundance the magnificent variety of
the materials contributed during the last half century
by the most brilliant minds Of Europe Sill IL rs be-
Iieved that this duty eau be satisfactorily performed
without swelling the edition to an announcement bulk
VI w. HEWET, Publisher,
2sl Broadway.
Any editor giving the above Prospectus 10 or -
Insertions, and an occasional notice OF the work du-
ring its progress will be regularly served with the
numbers as they appear, IN exchange for theirpaper