The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1844-09-12
-who speak the tongue
Thal shakespeare spake,

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could not content himself with mere republication or
compilation. He has therefore prevailed upon r. B.
Weir, whose reputation as an Artist is already identified
with hs couny history, 10 contribute series of orig-
anal designs, together with such advice and assistance
in other details ofaI ss his taste may suggest for the il
Illustration and establishment Of the publication.
Fsom the same reason the publisher instead Of reprn
Hiing the text and commentary of popular English
smpressfon, was desrous that his edition should have
cthe supervision Of an American editor This teak has
!. been undertaken bo GULIAN C. VERPLANKK.
The plan proposed for himself the editor furnish the
spade with carefully prepared and accurately printed text
nneumbeTcd by notes comments upon the page ITSELF
however useful they may be elsewhere they apt
divert The mind from the power Of the poets thought and
disturb tile magic Of his scene Such notes may I've thought
useful for the explanation criticism the text will be thrown
into an appendix TO each play. l..
Tho text of Shakspeare's dramatic works drawn from old
printed copies in his which had passed under the
authors owneye consequently dsgured by and
oseuries II passed during the last century through
rssson of varying editions until the revision of Stevens and
Maloun whose text Tor rather that of stevens has become the
standard from which of the English and American cdi
lions have been printed with various degrees of accuracy But
within the last twenty years minute and familiar
quantance with old English idons, habisand modes Of tO
guided BY intense and constantly increasing admiration for
Saspeaes genius has led 10 tho strong conviction that very
many of the though slight deVaonS from the
eient appearing in modern editions useless
Gus niepoaons sometimes weakening the sense and often
substituting an arbitrary monotonous metriCa regularity TO
ihe poes native melody Accordingly very iany Of
these eendatohs have been rejected by the last and best Eng
sh editors especially Mr.. Knight and Mr. Collier and the
readings Of the cid os and quaros have been reored mn
eas where Of tile press manuscript u1dena
bly, manifest Ye. there MANY such passages cOnfessedly
corrupt and requiring c0nectura emendatOn there also
differences Of reading between the several old Impressions a
ordng grounds for diversity of text and warm contro
Versy between the more recent editors.
Upon these the erican editor thinks due to the caraC
of this edition. to decide for himself without implicitly fol
lowing the of any modern edition. As The industry
learning of prior editors have furnished the collation. Of
various readings and authorities upon which they may be
supported the task longer la of aboros investigations
but were, OF judicial decision enlightened by contcndng
arguments
As many Of these variations Of nearly equal probability
Of them doubtless the aho RS alterations
at different periods, all the important readings will be
presented the reader in the notes for his selection -
These will also contain much Of commentary may
be useful 10 explain anquaed words and phrases obscurey
expressed passages and illusions to oSsOute opinions
habits history fthe mes the whole condensed form
practicable But any Upon Shakespeare however
higher criticism employed not the Interpretation of his lam
gnage but upon his thoughts his character his poetry pas
sons philosophy The only difference heIe arises from the
abundanesthe magnificent variety Of the eas contrbu
ted during the last half century by the most brilliant minds in
Europe. Still is believed that this duty be satisfactorily
performed without swelling the elon TO inconvenient
bulk II. w HEWET, Publisher.
Boston, 28l Broadway.
Any Editor giving the above prospectus 10 IL Insertions
and an occasional notice the work dul ing the progress will
lie regularly served with the Numbers they uppeu ex
change for their papers
May 23-no20.