The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-02-22

of Materials, Water Wheels, Hydraulics, Hydrosta-
ties, Pneumatcs. Status, Dynanics, Gunnery, Heat,
Steam Engines, Combustion Water, Gables, An
chors, Fuel, Air, Guns, Tables of Weights of Metals,
Pipes SC, &c, &C.; by Charles IL. Haswcl Chief
Engineer U. s. Navy. Putup in Pocket Book form,
just published, AID this day received for sale by
feb q f. TAYLOR
A NEW ERA
SHAK SPEAR
IN AMERICA:
The Cheapest and most s,plendidlv Hlumi-
mated and Illustrated Edition of The Bard
Of AEON erer published.
EDITED RY THE
HON. GULIAN c. -VERPLANCK.
ROBT. w. WEIR, ESQ,
will design elect, 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
art.
In submitting the Prospectus Of the Editor to the
public the publisher has only TO add that he will
spare neither expense pains to make this edition
oil The Worlds Poe superior to any that has hereto
fore appeared-in illustrations, pograpy and paper.
The form will be royal octave, and will be issued in
weekly parts, price -, cents, which places il within
the means Of persons Of the most limited fortunes,
whilst on account of its peculiar beauty it will gain
itself admission into the libraries ofthe rch and there
prove to be one of the choicest ornaments.
| Those who wish this work in most perfect state
will only be sure of it by taking the parts they APP
pear, which will contain the early proofs Of the
cravings.
The Tragedy Hamlet is now in press The frs,
part will be issued in March.
PROSPECTUS.
The ProronlAL 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 en-.
craving, which by combining great excellence of ex
ecu'ion with economy Of price, has given unprece-
dehted diffusion 10 the most useful well the
exquisite productions of the arts of Design.
The designs Of kENHY MEADOW for the illustra-
tions Of Tyas edition of Shakespeare express the cha
racter OF the several personages, and the spirit Of the
scene, with wonderful truth and power; whilst the
wood engraving of Knights Pictorial edition combine
with the highest merits on art and taste such learn
ed and minute accuracy as to scenery, costume ar
chtecture and antiquity as TO make them perpetual
and most instructive commentary upon the Poets
text II is now proposed to mbody in an AMERIcA AN
EDITION the admirable illustrations Of both these edi-
tons, engraved with equal excellence of mechanical
execution, TO add TO these, other engravings from
eminent artists, Reynolds, Fu.eli, s. Newton, SC,
and TO accompany them with beautifully printed
and correct text.
| But the publisher, anxious thai his country should
pay some part Of the homage due from her TO the
greatest Of Poets, as TO who belongs solely
Eng land, but to all
WHO speak the tongue
That Shakespeare spake
could not content himself with mere republication
or compilation. lie has therefore prevailed upon r.
w. Weir, whose reputation an artist is already
Identified with his county's history, 10 contribute
series OF original designs together with such advice
and assistance IN other details Of art his taste may
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, was desirous that his edi-
ton should have the supervision Of American edi-
tor. This tax has been undertaken by JULIAN
C. VERPLANCK.
The plan proposed 10 himself by the editor is TO
furnish the reader with carefully prepared and &C.
cursely printed text, uDencumbered 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, ana TO
disturb the magic Of his scene. Such notes may
be thought useful for the explanation criticism Of
the text, will be thrown into au Appendix TO each
play.
| The text Of Shskspeare's dramatic works. drawn
from old printed copies in his age, W ch had never
passed under the authors own eye was consequently
dishgured by many errors and obscuritcs. 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 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
yesrs more minute and familiar a quaintsDce with
old English jdoims, abits and modes Of thought
guided by intense and constantly increasing adm-
ration for Sbakspeares MUS has led TO the strong
conviction that vry many Of the numerous though
slight devIations from the ancient text appearing In
modern editions, are useless erroneous inerpola-
tons, sometimes weakening the and often sub
shutting an arbitrary monotonous metrical regularity
TO the Poets own native melody. Accordingly very
many OF these cancellations have bees rejected by the
last and best English editors, especially Mr. Knight
and Mr.. Collier and the readings of the old folios md
quartos have been restored uDlefs where error
Of the press or manuscript was undeniaby manifest
Yet there are many such passages coDicssedly cor
rupt, and requiring oonjeclural emend tion there
are also differences of reading between the several
old impressions, sdordng 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 tins 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
ngs and the autho tiles upon which they may be sup
ported the task is longer that Of sborious nyest
CATION, but as IT were, OF judicial decision enlghten-
ed by conteuding argument.
! As many Of these variations arc of nearly equal
probability and Of them are doubtless the an.
thors own allera ions al cren, periods all the more
important readings will be presented TO the reader in
the notes for his selcc ion. Those notes will also
contain much Of commentary as may be useful 10
explain sntquated words and phrases obscureIy ex-
pressed passages and illusions TO obsolete opinions
or the habits history Of the times the whole in as
condensed form as practicable. Blu, any common
tary upon Shakspcsre, however brief, would be i'm
perfect IL II did not present view Of the higher
criticism employed not on the Interpretation of his
language, bo, upon his thoughts, his character his
poetry, passions, philosophy. The only difficulty here
arises from he abundance the magnificent, variety Of
the materials contributed during the last half century
| by the most brilliant minds Of Europe. Still IS be-
lieved that this duty be satisfactorily performed
without swelling the edition to ipconvenient bulk
/ ~ uEWET P,,hIi.hnr