The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1844-07-18
who speak The tongue
Thai Shakespeare spake,


could no, content himself with mere republication nr
compilation. He has therefore prevailed upon R. B
Weir whose reputation Artist is arc ady ident fed
with bic country history 10 contribute series ororg
iual designs together with such advice and assistance
in other details Of art as his taste may suggest 70. the it,
lusIralion and establishment of the publications.
From the same the publisher instead of reprin.
ting the text and commentary Of popular English
mpressIon was desirous that his edition should have
the supervision Of an American editor. This teak has
been undertaken bo GULlAN C. VERPLANKK.
The plan proposed for himself the editor sto furnish the
reader with carefully prepared and accurately printed text
unncuHbered by any notes or comments upon the page ITSELF
aShowevcr useful they may he elsewhere they loo ant
divert the mind from the power of the poets thought and
durb tile magic Of his Such notes may be thought
useful for the explanation or criticism to tile text will be thrown
into an nppendix to each play
The text of shakspeureS dramatic works drawn from old
printed copies in his age, which had passed under the
authors eye consequently disfgured by and
obscurites passed during the last century through
osssion OF varying editions until the revision Of Stevens and
Maoun whose text rather that Of evens become the
standard from which NEST Of the English and American ed
ons have been printed with degrees accuracy But
within the last twenty years minnie and familiar
qnaiuance with old English doms habs and modes of to
guided intense and constantly increasing admiration for
SaakpeaTe genius has led TO the strong that very
many of tile numerous though slight deviaons from the
cient text appearing in modern editions errone
GUS nterpoatons sometimes weakening the sense and often
substituting an arbitrary nonotonous metrica regularity
tie poets OWN native melody Accordingly very many of
these emendato have been rejected by the last Eng
lish editors. especially Mr. Knight and Mr, Collier aud the
feadngs of the cid oos and quaros have been restored
less where of the press manuscript wigs undena
bly, manifest Ye. there many such passages confesedy
corrupt; and requiring conjecura emendation there
differences of reading between the several old Impressions
fOding grounds for diversity of and warm contro
vefsy between the recent editors. '.. '."
Upon these the American editor thinks due tile charnc
ter Of this edition. decide for himself without implicitly fol-
taf The linda
ard learning of prior editors have furnished COLLATION. OF
various readings and authorities upon which they may be
supported the task longer at of aboTous investigation
but as were, OF judicial decision enlightened by Couendng
arguments
As many Of these variations Of nearly equal probability
and as Of them doubtless the autho alterations
at different periods all the important readings VIII be
presented TO the reader in the notes for his selection
TIese will also contain much Of commentary as may
be useful explain antuatcd words and phrases obscuey
expressed passages and ausonso obsoute opinions the
habits history Of the times the whole condensed form
practicable But any comment upon Shakespeare however
hef would be imperfect II did present view the
higher criticism employed the Interpretation OF bis Ian
gnage, but upon his Thoughts his character his poetry pas
sionS philosophy The only difference here arises from the
Ted during the last half century by the brilliant minds in
Europe. Still is believed that this duty be satisfactorily
performed without swelling the edition an inconvenient
bulk. II. W. HEWET, Publisher,
Boston. 281 Broadway. -..- ~
Any Editor giving the above prospectus 10 IL insertions
and occasional notice Of the work during the progress will
be regularly served with e numbers they nppeaI in ex
change for their papers ....
May 23-no20. ....