ADVERTISEMENT. 202 UPON the completion of a volume of this edition of Shakspere's Works(the first volume in the order of publication)—it would be agreeable to the Editor to acknowledge in detail the obligations he has been under to several kind friends for suggestions and advice, especially with regard to difficult and controverted readings. As it would be embarrassing, however, to repeat such acknowledgments with every volume, the Editor must content himself at present with a general expression of his grateful thanks to those friends, not only for the hints of which he has availed himself, but for those suggestions which, upon mature reflection, he has not adopted. In many such cases he has had every disposition to prefer the opinions of others to his own; but it would be affectation not to feel that the daily habit of directing the mind to one subject, as a whole, in some degree better prepares it to understand those difficult passages, which, although they have been the subject of almost interminable controversies, are yet much less controversial in their nature when they are considered in a spirit of reverence, seeking to understand and define what the poet wrote, instead of cherishing a presumption which believes that it is as easy to amend as to disparage. The suggestions which the Editor has received from many friends, and from some strangers, are not in this temper. Shakspere is, for the most part, now appreciated by those who "speak the tongue" which he spake, with hearts lowly, affectionate, and reverential; and it is a circumstance not only in the highest degree encouraging, but elevating, that the feeling through which alone the Editor could presume to offer himself as a commentator upon him whose light shines everywhere-bestowing "A largess universal, like the sun," is reciprocated by all those whose sympathies have encouraged him in the task to which, however inadequate to anything like a proper performance, he has been led by circumstances to commit himself. When he originally undertook this task, the Editor hoped for more direct assistance than he has received. He had proposed to himself a duty little beyond that of collecting and arranging the contributions of others. But the difficulty of producing an edition of Shakspere upon such a principle was found much greater than had been anticipated; and the Editor has therefore been compelled to trust to his own diligence and love of his author, except in two well-defined departments. In that of Costume, he has to acknowledge his great obligations to Mr. Planché, whose researches as an antiquary, and skill in availing himself of his acquirements, need no recommendation. In that of Music (the occasions for the introduction of which branch of inquiry have yet been few) he has to express his satisfaction that Mr. Ayrton has engaged to give this work the benefit of his taste and learning. Highgate, May 18, 1839. |