New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-05
HENRR IRVING AS EDITOR.
AN ADMIRABLE SHAKESPEARE.

small auarto, PIP xiii 347. seribHer & Wexford.
The first volume of the Henry Irving Shake
spcare shows an admirable plan in the new edi-
ton and the examples afforded of the various
calculations and critical helps peculiar to IL fny
Justify the expectation that it Will be one OF thc
best and most thoroughly equipped EDITIONS OK
,ant. Nothing seems to have been overlooked or
omitted that can throw light upon the plays
clear I'D their obscurites and explain their gene
sis and chronology Mr. Marshall opens the first
volume with lucid preface, in which he outlines
,he special features of the edition. This Is net
the general introduction, which will be given at
the completion of the work. The guiding prln-
ciple Mr. Marshall observes, which has been
kept in mind throughout is the treatment OF
Shalyespeares work as that Of dramatist, whose
plays were intended not to be read as poetical
exercises but to be represented by living men
and women before a general audience In ac-
cordance with this view, " there will be found IN
this edition more explicit stage directions than
there are in other editions of Shakespeare Inc
acting versions of the plays are indicated by the
bracketing Of the portions which are to be omit
ted on the stage, but the brackets in no way
interfere with the symmetry of the work ms
reading edition. The present does not indeed
pretend to be an acting edition, but, says Mr..
Marshall what we do claim for it is that,
While giving the whole of Shakespeare's text
any one with the aid of this edition, could
easily prepare acting version OF any OF the
plays, either for private or public representa-
ton; and also that it affords most necessary help
TO those who wish to read Shakespeare aloud,
either at home or on the platform" The loot
notes have been confined to the translation of
any foreign or Latin words occurring IN the teXt,
and to the explanation Of such words as would
not be readily understood by an ordinary reader;
the object being to prevent the necessity OF turn
ing to the notes, at the end of each play for
exclamation Of any one word the meaning OF
which such reader might not know" The notes
at the end of each play are quite full, careful
and eminently reasonable upon most points, in
this Offering a refreshing contrast to the notes OF
some Shakespearean scholars. who have too often
wasted ink and space in elaborate analyses of
points and phrases really requiring no lnterpre-
tation Even Dyce, usually one Of the sanest OF
commentators is not wholly free from this de-
feet. while Malone and other early critics have
frequently done much more in exposure of their
own pathological ignorance than i'll calculation OF
the text.
In the new edition the introductons to the
PLAYS are divided into three heads viz, The
Literary History" The Stage History and The
Critical Remarks" 1t is evident that for refer
ence purposes this division possesses signal adj
various early editions of the plays and the source
whence the plot. or dialogue, may have been
wholly or i'm part borrowed" Under the second
head arc placed such mcagre records as survive of
the carly representations of the plays, with &C
counts Of any remarkable stage versions whlch
may have been produced. together with notices
of the most remarkable performances and OF any
notable cast The third head covers Mr.. Mar
shall's critical estimates of the plays, and here
again what we think wise departure from an
cient usage has been introduced. Mr.. Marshaii
says he has "purposcly abstaned from quoting
the criticisms of Others" and adds 1t ap-
pears TO me that such a practice IS neither au-
vantaoeous to the reader, nor to the writers from
whom such criticism, necessarily more or less
rnutilated, may be taken; and venture to pre-
sume that an editor who has been studying play
closely and living as it with the various
characters ought to have something worth say
ing on his own account without giving the opln-
ions of Others" There is obvious truth IN thlS
position, and there can be no doubt that MI
Marshalrs method adds to the force and complete
ness of his criticisms, which, so far ms can De
iudged from the single volume published, are
judicious, impartial and penetrating.
Tn addition to the triple introduction and the
full notes. q time analysis notes on the drainatis
pcrsone. and lists of the words occurring only
in that play, are prelixcd to each play WIN
those helms the Thorough understanding Of Shake
speare is facilitated to far greater extent thah
by any preceding edition of his works. But IN
deed nothing has been forgotten in the present
case. The plays are illustrated by Mr. Gordon
Browne son of Hablot X. Browne so well known
as "Pbjz") with care taste and spirit. Shake
spcarc has been illustrated often, and, 1t must be
said usually with astonishing infelicity. The
I'm frat ion hope
,osslv unimacinative gross, and what we can
only form bourgeois Those Of the present CEN
turv have been somewhat better, but generally
unite inferior and sometimes las in the drawing
Of Kenny Meadows) fantastic to grotesqueneSs
Gilbert's engravings to Howard Stauntons edl-
ton were passably good, and in them some ehort
was made to attain accuracy OF costume ana ac-
cessories But they did not approach the stand
ard of excellence in many respects attalheu py
Mr. Gordon Browne Even IIarvey's illustra-
tions to Char.cs knights edition, though decid-
edly good fall short of these. MIR. Browne S
are Of two kinds full-page etchings and designs
placed in the text. The etchings in the first vol
ume arc very satisfying, and the illustrations IN
the text show equal spirit and apprehension OF the
dramatists creations.
The Henry Irving Shakespeare Is well printed
with handsome clear new type upon thick I'M
Glazed white paper The size Of the page, the ar
ronpement Of the text, the choice OF type 1or lhe
notes. exhibit the same good taste, Judgment ana
determination TO make every detail the best III us
kind which characterize the work throughout
Mr.. Henry Irving contributes to the first volume
an interesting though too brief essay on " SNAKE
speare as q Playwright" in which he taxes Inc
ground that the poet was one OF the most pracOica
dramatists the world has ever seen" and disputes
the tradition that he disiked his connection WIN
tho stage In summing up the merits OF
tho new Shakespeare it may be said that il
i characterized by happy arrangement
SCHOLARLY editing artistic illustrations and
a conscientious elaboration of details, botl
editorial and mechanical which entitle 1t to very
high praise and must render it one OF the best oil
aids to Shakespearean study and representation.