The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-03-07
WHO speak the tongue
That Shakespeare spake,

could not content himself with mere republic alton
or compilation lie has therefore prevailed upon II.
w. Weir, whose reputation artist is already
identified with his county's history, to contribute a
series OF original designs, together with such advice
and assistance in other details of his may
suggest for the illustration and establishment OF this
publication. From the same the publisher, in
stead OF reprinting the text and commentary Of any
popular English impression, was DESTROYS that his ed
ton should have the supervision Of an American ed-
tor. This tax has been undertaken by GULlAN
c. VERPLANCk.
The plan proposed TO himself by the editor is to
furnish the reader with carefully prepared and ac
cur,tey printed text, unencumbered by any notes or
comments upon the page itself as however useful
they may be elsewhere, they apt to divert the
mind from the power Of the Poets thought, ana to
disturb the magic Of his 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 Sbakspeares dramatic works drawn
from old printed copies In his age, wbich had
passed under the authors own eye was consequently
dshgured by many errors and obscuritcs. Ii passed
during the last century through succession Of vary
ing editions until the revision of Stevens and 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 a more minute and familiar quaintance with
old English idons, ablts and moces Of thought
guineJ intense ana constantly increasing admit
ration for Shakspeares genius has led TO the strong
conviction that Very many Of the numerous though
slight deva,ions from the ancient text appearing In
modern editions are useless or erroneous nterpola-
tons sometimes weakening the and often sub
suting an arbitrary monotonous metricsl regularity
TO the Poets own native melody Accordingly very
many Of these lamentations have been rejected 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, unless where
OF the press or manuscript was undenably manifest
Yet there many such passages confessedly cor
rupt, and requiring conjectural emendston there
are also differences Of reading between the several
old Impressions, aordng grounds for 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 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 IT were, of Judicial decision enghten-
ed by contending argument.
As many Of these variations are Of nearly equal
probability, and some Of them are doubtless the su-
thors own alterations at different periods, all the more
important readings will be presented the rcsder in
the notes for his own seec ion. Those notes will also
contain so much Of commentary may be useful to
explain antquated words and phrases, obscureIy ex.
pressed passages and illusions 10 obsolete opinions
the habits or history Of the times the whole in as
condensed form practicable. But any commen
tory upon Shak- peare however brief, would be i'm
perfect If il did not present some view Of the higher
criticism employed not on 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 Still 1t Is be-
evcd that this duty can be satisfactorily performed
without swelling the edition to an nconvenient bulk.
H. w. HEWET Publisher
2Sl Broadway
Any editor giving the above Prospectus 10 or ~
Insertions and an occasional notice of the work du-