The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-09-27
.tf A NEW ERA OF
SHAKESPEARE IN A MERlCA!


and Illustrated Edition Of HE Bard
of .fcon, eUer published.
"a. Edited by the
HON. GULL.a.N C. VERPL.A.NCK.
ROBERT 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 here
tofore appeared-in illustrations, typography and
paper. The form will be royal octave, and will be
issued in weekly parts, price IL and half cents,
which places it within the means of persons of the
most limited fortunes, whilst on account ofits pecu
liar beauty it will gain itself admission into the IL
brares of the rch and there prove to be one OF the
choicest ornaments.
Those who wish this work in the most perfect
state, will only be of il by taking the parts as
they appear, which will contain the early proofs OF
the Engravings.
The Tragedy of Hamlet is now in press.-The
first part will be issued in March.
PROSPECTUS.
The PICTORIAL and ILLUSTRATED Editions OF
SHAKESPEARE, lately published in England, are
amongst the most beautiful specimens ofthe recent
and remarkable improvement Of the art of Wood
Engraving, which by combining great excellence
of execution with economy of price, has given an
recedented diffusion to the most useful as well
as the most exquisite productions of the Arts of
Design.
The designs of KENNY MEADOWS for the illus
trations of Tyas edition of Shakespeare express the
character of the several personages and the spirit
of the scene, with wonderful truth and power;
whilst the wood engraving OF Knights Pictorial e.
dition, combine with the highest merits of art and
4
merry, costume, architecture and antiquity, SC as
make them perpetual and most instructive COM
mentary upon the Poets text. 1t is now proposed
TO embody in an AMERICAN EDITION, the admi-
rabe illustrations ofboth these editions engraved
with equal excellence of mechanical execution, to
add to these other engravngs from eminent artists;
as Reynolds, Fuseli, S. Newton, &C., and TO ac-
company them with beautifully printed aud cor
rect text. ."'
But the publisher, anxious that his country should
pay some part of the homage due from her TO the
greatest of Poets, as 10 who belongs not solely
to England, but to all
WHO speak the tongue
That Shakespeare spake,
Could not content himself with a mere republica-
ton or compilation. He has therefore prevailed
upon ROBERT w. Weir, whose reputation as an
Artist is already identified with his country's hiso
ry, to contribute series of Oriental Designs, TO-
gether with such advice and assistance in other de-
tails oil art, his taste may suggest for the ustra
ton and establishment of this publication. From
the reason, the publisher. instead ofreprintng
the text and commentary of any popular English
impression, was desirous that his Edition should
have the supervision of an American Editor This
task has been undertaken by GULIAN e YER
PLANCK
The plan proposed to himself by the Editor is to
4. Al 4 IL. 4 II
curately printed text unencumbeled by any notes or
upon the page itself; as how ever useful
they may be else where they are too apt to divert
the mind from the power Of the Poets thought, and
to disturb the magic of his scene. Such notes as
may be thought useful for the explanation or crti-
csm of the text, will be put into an Appendix to
each play.
The text of Shakespeare dramatic works, drawn
from old printed copies in his age, which had never
passed under the authors own eye was conse-
quenty disfgured by many errors and absurdites
It passed during the last century through success
sion of varying editions, unit! the revision of Ste
vens 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. more minute and fa-
niliar acquaintance with old English idioms, hab-
It's aud modes Of thought, guided by an intense and
increasing admiration for Shakspeare's
genius, has led to the strong conviction that very
many of the numerous though slight deviations
rom the ancient text, appearing in modern editions
ire useless or erroneous interpretations, sometimes
weakening the sense, and often substituting an ar
,itrary monotonous, metrica regularity to the Po-
IT'S own native melody. Accordingly, very many
If these enendatons have been rejected by the last
md best English editors, especially Mr.. Knight and
Mr. Collier, and the readings of the old folos and
luartos have been restored, unless where some err
or OF the press or manuscript was undeniably man.
Test. Yet there are many such passages confess
edIy corrupt, requiring conjectural emendations;
here are also difference of reading between the
everal old impressions affording grounds for some
diversity OF text and warm controversy, between |
he more recent editors.
Upon these, the American editor thinks it due to |
he character of this edition, to decide himself, |
Without implicitly following the text of any one
modern edition. As the industry and learning oil
rer editors have furnished the collation. of varou.
aadings, and the authorities upon which they may |
e supported, the task is no longer that of aborous
nvestigaton, but, as 1t were, of judicial decision,
heightened by contending argument. . |
AS many of these variations are of nearly equal |
reliability, and as some ofthem are doubtless the
uthors own alterations at different periods all the
iore Important readings VIII ne presented to the |
eader IN the notes, for his selection. Those notes
will also contain SO much OF commentary as may be
seful to explain antiquated words and phrases, OBJ
curely expressed passages and illusions to obsolete
pinions, or the habits or history Of the times; the
phole in as condensed form as practicable. But
ny commentary upon Shakespeare, however brief,
pould be imperfect il it did not present some view
4 the higher criticism employed, not on the inter
rotation of his language. but upon his thoughts,
is character, his poetry, passions. philosophy. The
My difficulty here arises from the abundance, the
he magnificent variety OF the materials contributed
urng theias half century, by the most brilliant
minds Of Europe Silitis believed iha this duty
an be satisfactorily performed. without swelling
ne edition to an inconyenent bulk.
H. W HEWETT, Publisher,
2Sl Broadway, New York.