The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1845-01-01
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L dJ ElikSDGuIG Sl)1KB,
could not content himself with a mere republication of
compilation. lie has therefore prevailed upon r. w,
WEIR, whose reputation as an Artist is already identi-
fed with his country's history, to contribute a series or
original designs, together with such advice and assis-
lance in other details of art as his taste may suggest for
the illustration and establishment of this publication.
From the same reason the publisher, instead ofreprinting
the text and commentary of any popular English i'm
preston, was DESTROYS that his edition should have the
supervision ofan American editor. This task has been
undertaken, by CUBAN {. V~ERPLANCK.
The plan proposed to himselfby the editor. is to fur
lnish the reader with a carefully prepared and accurate
y printed text, unencumbcred by any notes or com
ments upon the page itself; as however useful they may
be elsewhere, they are too apt to divert the mind from
the power of the Poets thought, and to disturb the ma
gic othls scene. Such notes as may be thought nseful
for the explanation or criticism Of the text,w will be
thrown into an Appendix to each play.
The text Of Shakspeare's dramatic works, drawn
from old printed copies in his age, which had never pas
sod under the authors own eye, was consequently dis
figured by many errors and obsculitics. 1t passed du-
ring the last century through Il succession of varying
editions until the revision Of Stevens and Malone, whose
text Tor rather that ofStevens) has become the STAN
d0rd from which most Of the English and American G.
ditors have been printed, with various degrees of ac-
curacy. Blt within the last twenty years, a more mi
mute ard familiar acquaintance with old English idioms
habits and modes Of thought, guided by an intense and
constantly increasing admiration for Shakspeare's ge-
MUS, has led to the strong conviction that very MANY of
the numerous though slight deyiations from the ancient
text appearing in modern editions, are useless or erro-
ncous intorpolations, sometimes weakening the sense
and often substituting an arbitrary monotonous metrical
regularity orthe Poets own native melody. Accord
ingly very many Of these examinations have been reiec-
ted by the last and best English editors, especially MI.
Knight and Mr.. Collier, and the readings of the old To-
Hos and qnartos have been restored, unless where some
error oIthc press or manuscript was undeniably mani
fest, Yet there are many such passages confessedly
corrupt, and requiring conjectural cmendation; theie
are also differences of roading between the several old
impressions, %aliolding grounds for some diversity Of text
and warm controversy between the more recent editors.
Upon these, the American editor thinks it due to tho
character Of this edition, to decide for himself without
implicitly following the text Of any one modern edition,
As the industry and learning of prior editors have fur
nisEed the collation. ofvarious readings and the authori-
ties upon which they may be supported, the task is no
longer that oflabOrious investigation, but. as it were, of
judicial decision enlightened by contending argument.
As many of these variations are ofnearly equal prob
ability, and as some Of them are doubtless the authors
own alterations at different periods, all the more impor-
tant readings win be presented to thereaGerin thenotes
fol his own selection. Those notes will also contain 50
much documentary as may be useful to explain anti
quated words and phrases, obscurely expressed passages
and illusions to obsolete opinions or the habits or his
of the times; the whole in as condensed a form as
But any commentary upon Shakespeare,
however brief, would be imperfect if it did not present
some view of the higher criticism employed, not on the
Interpretation of his language. but upon his thoughts,
character, his poetry, passions, philosophy. The
only difficulty here arises from the abundance, the mag
niicent variety, of the materials contributed during the
half century by the most brilliant minds of Europe.
it is believed that this duty can be satisfactorily
without swelling the edition to an inconye-
nient bulk. II. w. HEWET, Publisher,
2Sl Broadway, New York.