The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-03-05
WHO speak the tongue
' That Shakespeare spake,

could not content himself with a mere republic alton
compilation. lie has therefore prevailed upon X.
w. Weir, whose-reputaton as artist is already
Identified with his country's history, 10 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 FIom the same reason the publisher, in
stead of reprintng the text and commentary Of any
popular English impression, DESTROYS that his ed-
ton should have the supervision of an American ed-
tor. This IA has been undertaken by GULIAN
c. VERPLANCk.
The plan proposed to himself by the editor is to
furnish the reader with carefully prepared and &C
curately 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, 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 Shakespeare dramatic works drawn
from old printed copies IN his age, W ich had never
passed under the authors own eye consequently
d,shgured by many and obscuritics. II passed
during the las, 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 idoins, abits and modes Of thought
guided by an intense ana constantly increasing adml-
ration for Shakspeares genius, has led to the strong
conviction that very many Of the numerous though
| slight devations from the ancient text appearing In
modern editions useless or erroneous interpoa-
| tons, sometimes weakening the sense and often sub
stitutIng an arbitrary monotonous mcirical regularity
! TO the Poets own native melody. Accordingly very
many Of these emendslons have been ected by the
last and best English editors, especially Mr.. Knight
and Mr.. Collier and the readings Of the old foos and
quartos have been restored unless where some error
| OF the press or manuscript undeniably manifest
Yet there are many such passages confesscdy cor
| rupt and requiring conjectursl emend ition Their,
are also differences Of reading between the several
old impressions, sfordng 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 mod
ern edition. As the industry and learning of pro,
editors have furnished the collation. Of various read
ngs and the autho tiles upon which they may be sup
ported, the task is longer that of laborious invest
CATION, but, as IT were, OF Judicial decision enghten
ed by contending argument.
As many Of these variations arc Of nearly equs
probability and as some of them doubtless the
lhor's alterations at different perOds all the NOR,
important readings will be presented the eader "
the notes for hrs seee ION. Those notes will alsC
contain so much Of commentary a. may be useful q
explain antiquaed words and phrases, obscurcIy er
pressed passages, and illusions to obsolete opnion
or the habits history Of the times; the whole IN
condensed a form as practicable. But any commen
| tary upon Shakespeare, however brief, would be i'm
perfect II IT dbl not present some view Of the hghc
criticism employed, not on the Interpretation OF HI
language, but upon his thoughts, his character, hi
poetry passions, philosophy. The only difficulty herr
arises from The abundance the magnificent variety o
the materials contributed during the last half centur,
by the most brilliant minds Of Europe Still II is be
ieved that this duty can be satisfactorily performed
yi,fou, swelling the edition to incOnvonient bulk
n. w HEWET, Publisher,
2sl Broadway.