The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-02-23

The Cheapest and most Spiendidly Hiumi-
rated and Illustrated Edition of The Bard
Of AEON erer published.
EDITED RY THE
HON. GULIAN c. VERPLANCK
ROBT. w. WEIR, ESQ,
will design, select and arrange the illustrations of
which there will be about 400, executed 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 nor pains to make this edition
Of the Worlds Poet superior to any that has hereto
fore sppeared-in illustrations, typogrspy aud paper.
The form will be royal octave, and will be issued in
weekly parts, price l2s cents, which places it 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 Of the rch and there
prove to be one of the choicest ornaments.
Those who wish this work in q 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 of Hamlet is now in press The first
part will be issued in March.
PROSPECTUS.
The PIcToRIAL and lLLusTRArEp 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-
ecu ION with economy OF price, has given unprece
dented diffusion to the most useful well the
exquisite productions of the arts of Design.
The designs of KENNY MEADOW for the iustra-
tons of Tyas edition Of Shakespeare express the cha
racter OF the several personages and the spi il of the
scene, with wonderful truth and power; whilst the
wood engraving OF Knights Pictorial edition combine
with the highest merits of art aud taste such learn
ed and minute accuracy as TO scenery, costume ar
chitecture and antiquity, as TO make them perpetual
and most instructive commentary upon the Poets
text II is now proposed TO imbody in an AMERIcA AN
the admirable illustrations of both these edi-
tons engraved with equal excellence Of mechanical
execution, 10 add TO these, other epgravings from
eminent artists as Reynolds, Flu eli, s. Newton &c,
and to accompany them with a beautifully printed
and correct text.
But the publisher, anxious that his county should
pay some part Of the homage due from her TO the
greatest OF Poets TO who belongs not solely to
EnglaD but to all
who speak the tongue
That Shakespeare spake,
could not content himself with mere republication
or compilation. He has therefore prevailed upon r.
w. Weir. whose reputation as an artist is already
identified with his countys history, to contribute
series of original designs, together with such advice
and assistance IN other details Of art his taste ma,
suggest for the illustration and establishment OF this
publication. From the same the publisher in
stead oil reprntiDg the text and commentary Of any
popular English IMPRESSION DESTROYS that his edi-
ton should have the supervision Of American edi-
tor. lbs Ia has been undertaken by GULlAN
C. VERPLANCk
The plan proposed to himself by the editor is to
furnish the reader with fully prepared and &C.
cur1tely printed text upencumbered 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 as NAV
he AL for .t,a
the text, will be thrown into Appendix to each
play.
The text OF Shskspearcs dramatic works, drawn
from old printed copies IN his age, which had never
passed under the authors own eye consequently
dsfgured by many errors and obscurtios 1t 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 mos, Of the Eogish and
American editions have been printed with various
degrees OF accuracy. But within the last twenty
years minute and familiar az qua ntance with
old English doins, h abIts and modes Of thought
guided by an intense and constantly increasing adm-
ration for Shakspcares z, MUS has led to the strong
conviction that y,ry many Of the numerous though
slight deyiaiions from the ancient text appearing In
modern editions, are useless erroneous iuterpola-
tons sometimes weakening the sense and often sub
shutting an arbitrary monoonous merical regularity
TO the Poets own native melody. Accordingly very
many Of these cancellations have beep eieced by the
last ana Dest th2hsh totofs, especially MIR. might
and Mr.. Collier and the readings of the old foios and
qusrtos have been restored unlecs whore some error
OF the press or manuscript was undeniably manifest
Yet there are many such passages confessedly cor
rupt, and requiring coujecural cmend ,tion there
are also differences Of reading between the several
old impressions, sdording grounds for some diversity
Of text and warm controversy between the more re.
cent editors.
Upon these, the American editor thinks II due 10
the character Of this edition, 10 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
ings and the authorities upon which they may be sup
ported the task is no longer that Of laborous nves-
CATION, but, as IT were Of Judicial decision enlighten-
ed by con,endng argument.
As many Of these variat ons arc of nearly equal
probability, and Of them are doubtless Che au-
thor's own alterations at different pcri,ds all the more
important readings will be presented TO the re ader in
the notes for his own selcc ion Those notes will also
contain so much Of commentary as may be useful to
explain antqua'ed words and phrases, obscurely
pressed passages and illusions TO obsolete opinions
or the habits history Of The times the whole in as
condensed form practicable. But any common
tsry upon Shakspeare however brief, would be i'm
perfect If il dill not present view Of the higher
criticism employed, not on the Interpretation of his
language, but upon his thoughts his character his
poetry, passions, philosophy The only difficulty here
arises from the abundance the magnificent variety Of
the materials contributed during the last half century
by The most brilliant, minds Of Europe Still IL IS be-
lievcd that this duty can be satisfactorily performed
without swelling toe edition TO an convenient bulk.
II. w. HEWET, Publisher,
lSl Broadway