the edition under notice the best and most convenient extant. The volumes are of just the proper size for handling, and the notes are at the bottom of each page.". Boston Morning Post.

"We know of no better edition of Shakespeare. In its paper, typography, and wood-cuts, the present American edition is quite equal, if not superior, to the English. Great pains have been taken to render the text accurate; and Mr. Hudson has scrupulously eliminated all superfluous and merely speculative matter in the notes." - The Evening Transcript, Boston.

"Mr. Hudson has made so judicious a selection from what it was advisable to preserve from previous collections of other plays, that we have nothing but praise to bestow upon his labors. The type, too, is clear and pleasant, and the volumes not too large for the hand or the pocket. The Examiner, London.

"For convenient handling and holding, for clearness and beauty of typography, we prefer this edition of Shakespeare to any other extant."

Washington Republic.

"There is every probability that, as soon as Mr. Hudson's 'Shakespeare' becomes known, as it well deserves to be, in this country, it will meet with no inconsiderable amount of patronage here; for, in addition to what we have already said, the size, the quality of the paper, the excellence of the type, and all the minor accessories, are unquestionably in its favor."

New Quarterly Review, London.

The

A most acceptable service will be rendered to the reading world, and to the admirers of Shakespeare in particular, by Mr. Hudson's labors upon this edition of the works of the great dramatist. As editions are so numerous, and discrimination between them not easy to those who have a little leisure, we may do such a service by giving them a brief idea of the merits of the one before us. It is modelled upon the celebrated Chiswick edition, published twenty-six years ago-preserving very nearly the tout ensemble of that work, but differing from it most essentially in the text and annotations. almost multitudinous corruptions which were incorporated in the Chiswick copy- the fruits of successive editorial corrections-so called of the original text, have been expunged, and the true readings restored. The annotations are frequently entirely new, a necessity arising from the correction of the text. We have only to add, that the mechanical execution of the work is almost faultless, and that it will probably be completed during the present year."- Southern Lit Gazette.

"An edition of Shakespeare, edited so admirably as this- so convenient in its form, so elegant in its execution, and so cheap in its price will, we hope, have a circulation over the country, corresponding to its great merits." Graham's Magazine, Philadelphia. "As a work for schools and families, this edition will be found better adapted than any other we have examined. The volumes are convenient in size, and the printing clear."— Godey's Lady's Book.

"The same judicious style of annotation, not excessive, but sufficient for the ordinary reader, which marks the former volumes of this edition, characterizes the two before us. In point of size, goodness of type, portability, &c., this is certainly the best edition of Shakespeare, as a text for reading, now extant in the language."-Methodist Quarterly Review.

"It is, of all editions yet published, a favorite one with us, and we have some half dozen or more."— Hunt's Merchants' Magazine.

"The introduction to the several plays by the editor, Mr. Hudson, one of the best Shakesperian students and interpreters of the day, are very full, abounding in elegant criticism upon the creations of the poet's genius, and containing appropriate historical notices of the plays. Indeed, the edition is in all respects an excellent one, and notwithstanding the multiplication of copies of Shakespeare, there is ample room for the present issue, as it supplies a place not filled by any previous one."- Lowell Journal.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1853, by

WILLIAM W. CLAPP, JR.

in the Clerk's office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

CAMBRIDGE:

ALLEN AND FARNHAM, PRINTERS.

PREFACE.

908

C589

THE following pages were originally published in the Boston Evening Gazette, and the favor extended to them by the public has induced the writer to present them in a more convenient form, for reference and perusal. Many corrections and considerable additions have been made, since they first appeared; and, by the kindness of friends, many material facts relating to the progress of the Drama have been obtained.

The sources of information from whence the facts have been obtained, were the most authentic; and it has been the writer's endeavor to present to the public an interesting sketch of the progress of the Drama in this city, from the earliest times to the present day. How far he has succeeded, the reader will judge.

BOSTON, 1853.

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