The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-02-20
who speak the tongue
That Shakespeare spake,

could not content himself with a mere republication
or compilation. lie has therefore prevailed spon r.
w. Weir whose reputation an artist is already
identified with his countrys history TO contribute a
series Of original designs together with such advice
and assistance in other details Of art a. his taste NAV
suggest for the Illustration and establishment of this
publication. Fiom the reason the publisher in
stead OF reprintiAg the text and commentary of any
popular English impression, DESTROYS that his edi-
ton should have The supervision of American edi-
tor This tax has been undertaken by GULIAN
C. VERPLANCK
The plan proposed 10 himself by the editor is 20
furnish the reader with careful prepared and &C.
cur1ley printed text, uuencumbercd by any notes or
comments upon the page itself; as however useful
they may be elsewhere they to apt to divert the
mind from the power Of the Poets thought ana TO
disturb the magic Of his scene. Such notes as NAV
be thought useful for the explanation or criticism OF
the text, viii he thrown isto an Appendix to each
play
The text Of Shskspeare's dramatic works drawn
from old printed copies In his age, ioh had never
passed under the authors eye was consequently
dishgured by many errors and obscurtics 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 S,evens) 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
ye rs more minute and familiar qnantance with
old English iduims, sbts and modes OF thought
guided by an intense and constantly increasing admi-
ration for Shakspeares genius has led to the strong
conviction that y'ry many Of the numerous though
slight deyiaons from the ancient text appearing in
modern editions, useless erroneous interpola.
lions, sometimes weakening the sense and often sub
shutting an arbitrary monotonous meircsl regularity
TO the Poets own native melody. Accordingly very
many OF these cancellations have bces rejected by the
last aud best English editors, especially Mr.. Knight
and Mr. Collier and the readings of the old folos and
quartos have been restored uncfs where some error
OF the press or manuscript was undenably manifest
Yet there are many such passages confrssedIy cor
rupt, and requiring conIectural emend ton there
also differences of reading between the several
old impressions, aording grounds for some diversity
Of text aud 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.
edition. As the industry and learning of prior
editors have furnished the collation. Of various read
ngs and the authorities upon which they NAV be SUD-
ported the task is longer tina, Of laborous pvest
cation, but as II were, OF Judicial decision enligten-
ed by contendlng Argument.
As many Of these variat ops arc of nearly equal
probability and as some Of them doubtless the au-
,hors sltera ions al different periods all the more
important readings will be presented to tho reader in
the notes for his secc ion Those notes will also
contain so much Of commentary as may be useful 10
explain sntqusted words and phrases obscurey ex
pressed passages, and illusions 10 obsolete opinions,
the habits or history Of the times the whole in as
condensed form as practicable. hut any common
tsry upon Shak -pcsrc however brief, would be i'm
perfect " IL did not present some view Of the higher
criticism employed, not on the Interpretation of his
language, bu, upon his thoughts, his character, his
poetry, passions, philosophy The only difficulty here
from The abundance, the magnificent variety Of
the materials contributed during the last half century
by the most brilliant minds Of Europe Still it Is be.
A. -. l. /.
without swelling the edition TO an inconvenien, bulk
II. w. HEWET, Publisher,
2sl Broadway.
Any editor giving The above Prospectus 10 or u
Insertions, and occasional notice OF the work du-
ring liz progress will be regularly served with the
numbers they appear in exchange for their papers
Feb I3-u