SHAKESPEARE; A REPRINT OF THE "FAMOUS FOLIO OF 1623." IN ADVERTISEMENT. N this reproduction, of the firft edition of the collected Works of Shakespeare, the prime object has been to fecure its entire identity with the Original. It is well known that there exifts in the Original a great variety of errors; but not one of these has here been corrected. Whatever the defects of the Volume, it was felt that if reproduced at all it must be reproduced intact as it was firft put forth in 1623, and that if the leaft "license of ink" were affumed, all reliance upon its identity would be destroyed. Notwithstanding its defects, it fhould not be forgotten that the Folio of 1623 is the most important edition extant; for, as Mr. Howard Staunton has well obferved, it is "the only authority we poffefs for above one-half of Shakespeare's plays, and a very important one for those which had been published before its appearance." Yet while, for the reasons given, the blemishes must be allowed to remain, they have not been unheeded. On the hint of Horne Tooke (Diverfions of Purley, part ii. p. 52, edit. 1805), they have all been noted with a view to a comprehenfive lift of corrigenda. After accuracy, the next object is to place within eafy attainment of the many a book the poffeffion of which has hitherto been reftricted to the very fortunate few. Henceforth for less than two pounds may be fecured, in a perfect ftate, the coveted of all English book-collectors,-a Volume which in the Original, and in a condition more or lefs of defacement and repair, would be confidered cheap at a hundred; and this in form and condition more pleafing to the eye-a "cheerful femblance" of its prototype-and much (4) more convenient for ufe. The Folio of 1623, although fo important for the authority of its Text, from its rarity may almost be regarded as a fealed book; and it is hoped that the opportunity now afforded of a more extended knowledge of its contents, will lead to a corresponding elucidation of the many perplexities which yet remain, but which poffibly are not" perplex'd beyond self-explication." A recent writer, doing good battle for the Text of the First Edition, with reference to a paffage in Anthony and Cleopatra, observes, "I am inclined to think the original reading the right one, and the emendation impoffible ;" poffibly, this remark may be found to have a juft application in numerous other inftances. The chances of error in the paffing of an elaborate work through the press are multifarious occafionally their origin is most mysterious and unaccountable; experience, not less than inclination, precludes the leaft pretenfion to infallibility, and though not fearing the complaints made against the last reprint of this book, they are not out of memory; therefore, the communication of any-the most trifling-departure from the Original which may be discovered will be moft thankfully acknowledged, and the required correction effected by a cancel. 307 REGENT STREET, December 18th, 1861. |