The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-10-11

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. D
| PROSPECTUS.
| The PICTORIAL and Illustrated Editions OF
SHAKESPEARE, lately published in England, are
amongst the most beautiful specimens of the recent
and remarkable Improvement of the art of Wood
Engraving, which by combining great excellence
of execution with economy of price, has given an
Unprecedented 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 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
taste, such learned and minuteaccuracy as 10 see
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 of both these editions, engraved
with equal excellence of mechanical execution, to
add to these, other engravings from eminent artists,
as Reynolds, Fuseli, S. Newton, &C., and to ac-
company them with beautifully printed and 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, TO who belongs not solely
TO England, but to all
WHO speak the tongue
That Shakespeare spake,
Could not content himself with 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 hlso-
ry to contribute a series of Oriental Designs, to-
gether with such advice and assistance in other de-
tails oart, his taste may suggest for the iustra-
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 c. YER
PLANCK.
The plan proposed to himself by the Editor is to
furnish the reader with carefully prepared and ac
curatey printed text unencumbered by any notes or
comments upon the page itself; as however useful
they may be where, they 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 crti
cism of the text. will be put into an Appendix to
each play.
The text of Shakspeare's dramatic works, drawn
from old printed copies in his age, which hadnever
passed under the authors own eye, was conse-
quently disfgured by many errors and absurdites
1t passed during the last century through success
sion of varying editions, unit! the revision of Ste
vens and Malone. whose text, Tor 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-
miliar acquaintance with old English idioms, hab-
its and modes of thought, guided by an intense and
constantly increasing admiration for Shakspeare's
genius, has led to the strong conviction that very
many of the numerous though slight deviations
from the ancient text, appearing in modern editions,
are useless or erroneous interpretations, sometimes
weakening the sense, and often substituting an ar
bitrary monotonous, metrica regularity, to the Po-
cts own native melody. Accordingly, very many
of these enlendaons have been rejected by the last
and best English editors especially Mr.. Knight and
Mr. Collier, and the readings of the old folios and
quartos have been restored, unless where some er-
rOr OF the press or manuscript was undenably man
Hest. Yet there are many such passages confess
scdly corrupt, requiring conjectural emendations;
there are also difference of reading between the
several old impressions afiording grounds for some
diversity Of text and warm controversy, between
the more recent editors.
Upon these, the American editor thinks il due to
the character of this edition., to decide himself,
without implicitly following the text of any one
modern edition. As the industry and learning OF
prer editors have furnished the collation. of various
readings, and the authorities upon which they may
be supported, the task is no longer that oflaborous
Investigation, but, as it were, of Judicial decision
by contending argument.
As many of these variations are of nearly equal
and as some oithem are doubtless the
authors alterations at different periods, all the
more important readings will be presented to the
'eader in the notes. for his selection Those notes
will also contain so much OF commentary as may be
Iseful to explain antiquated words and phrases, OBJ
curely expressed passages and illusions to obsolete
opinions, or the habits or history of the times; the
Whole in condensed form as practicable. But
my commentary upon Shakespeare, however brief.
would be imperfect il it did not present some view
# the higher criticism employed, not on the inter-
retation of his language, but upon his thoughts,
us character, his poetry, passions. philosophy. The
My difficulty here arises from the abundance, the
he magnificent variety of the materials contributed
uring the last half century, by the most brilliant
minds OF Europe. Still il is believed that this duty
an be satisfactorily performed, without swelling J
he edition to an inconvenient bulk '
II. w. HEWETT, Publisher, S
2sl Broadway, New York.