The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-02-16
A NEW ERA


A NEW ERA
SHAK SPE ARE
IN AMERICA
The Cheapest and most .Spiendidtv Hinmi-
mated and Illustrated Edition of the Bard
Of Aeon erer published.
EDITED RY THE
HON. GULIAN c. 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
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 apPearedn illustrations, typograpy and paper.
The form will be royal octave and will be issued in
weekly parts, price l2l cents, which places it within
the means OF persons of the most limited fortunes,
whist on account of its peculiar beauty it will gain
itself admission into the libraries of the rch and there
prove to be one of the choicest ornaments.
Those who wish Ibis work in a most perfect state
will only be of il by taking the parts as they ap.
pear, which will contain the early proofs of the en-
cravings.
The Tragedy of Hamlet is now in press The first
part will be issued in March.
PROSPECTUS.
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 unprece-
dented diffusion TO the useful as we'll as the most
exquisite productions of the erts of Design.
The designs Of kkNNY MEApovs for the illustra-
tons of Tyas edition Of Shakespeare express the cha
racter Of 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 and taste such learn
ed and minute accuracy as TO scenery costume, ar
chitecture and antiquity, 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, TO add to these, other engravings from
eminent artists, as Reynolds Fuel, S. Newton, sc,
and 10 accompany them with beautifully printed
aud correcttext.
But the publisher, anxious that his county should
pay some part Of the homage due from her to the
greatest OF Poets as to one who belongs not solely 10
England, but to all
WHO speak the tongue
That Shakespeare spake,
could not content himself with mere republication
or compilation. lie has therefore prevailed apon r.
w. Weir, whose reputation a an artist is already
identified with his country's history, to contribute
series of original designs, together with such advice
and assistance other details of his taste NAV
suggest for the illustration and establishment OF this
publication. Fiom the same reason the publisher in
stead Of reprinting the text and commentary of any
popular Engllsh impression, DESTROYS that his edi-
ton should have the supervision OF American edi-
tor This ia has been undertaken by GULIAN
c. VERPLANCk.
The plan proposed to himself by the editor is to
furnish the reader with fully prepared and ac-
curstey printed text, unencumbered by any notes or
comments upon the page itself; as however useful
hay mo he als her fl.V,
mind from the power Of the Poets thought ana TO
disturb the magic of his scene. Such notes as may
be thought useful for the explanation or criticism Of
the text, will be thrown into Appendix to each
play.
The text of Shakspeares dramatic works. drawn
from old printed copies in his age, ch had never
passed under the suthor's eye was consequently
dishgured by many and obscuritics 1t passed
during the last century through succession Of vary
ing editions until the revision Of Stevens and Malone
whose text, Cor 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 quaintance with
old English idoiDs, abhs and moGes, of thought
guided by an intense and constantly increasing adm-
ration for Shakspesre' g MUS has led TO the strong
conviction that very many Of the numerous though
slight deviaons from the ancient text appearing IN
modern editions are useless erroneous interpola-
tons sometimes weakening the sense and often sub
sututlhS an mOnOtOnOus metrICgl regularity
to the Poets own native melody. Accordingly very
many Of these emendations have been ected by the
last and best English editors, especially Mr. Knight
and Mr. Collier and the readings Of the old olios and
quartos have been restored unles where some error
Of the press or manuscript was uDdcniaby manifest.
Yet there are many such passages confcssedly cor
rupt, and SECURING copjcctural emeodstion there
also differences Of reading between the several
old Impressions, sHordng grounds for diversity
Of text and warm controversy between the more re.
cent editors.
Upon these, the American editor think. it 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 nvest-
cation, but, as IT were OF Judicial decision enlghen
ed by contending argument.
AZ many of these variations are Of nearly equal
probability, and as some Of them are doubtless the
thors alterations at different periods all the more
important readings will be presented 10 the reader in
the notes for his selection. Those notes will also
contain much Of commentary may be useful TO
explain antquated words and phrases, obscurey ex-
pressed passages, and illusions TO obsolete opinions
or the habits or history Of the tines the whole in
condensed form as practicable. But any common
,ary upon Shak peare, however brief, would be i'm
perfect II it did not present view OF the higher
criticism employed not on the Interpretation OF his
language, but upon ms thoughts ms character, ms
poetry, passions, philosophy The only difficulty here
arises from he abundance, the magnificent variety Of
the materials contributed during the last bali century
by the brilliant minds OF Europe Still 1t be-
lieved that this duty can be satisfactorily performed
withou, swelling the edition to announcement bulk
II. w. HEWET Publisher,
Isl Broadway
! Any editor giving the above Prospectus 10 or II
Insertions and occasional notice OF the work du-
ring its progress W i'll be regularly served with the
numbers they appear, in exchange for their papers.
! Feb 1917
Mr. PEsMNeroN is now lcoturing and exhibiting,