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determinate expression:-it is not then difficult to conceive what must be the miserable state of such a poet's language, when it had passed a few times through the hands of incorrect players and blundering transcribers. Whoever casts his eyes over the 'stubborn nonsense' of the early editions will not fail to acknowledge his obligations to the critics.

The best designed undertaking, however, may be rendered faulty in the execution of it. Notes have been heaped upon this author, till even his mighty frame is oppressed with the load. In some instances, pages are thrown away, by the numerous commentators, in explaining what was not at first difficult; and, in others, taunts and sarcasms determine the reader to an opinion that they sought Shakspeare's fame less than their own.

The present Editor did not set out with the design of making notes, though in a few places he could not avoid it. His purpose was to

retrench; and to attach to his author such remarks only, from the various annotators, as are really illustrative of his dark passages.

Of the typographical execution of this work little commendation will be necessary to the reader of taste. Besides the very heavy expence of fine paper and superior printing, more than two thousand guineas have been expended by the Proprietor in embellishments; for it was his desire, and he flatters himself that he has not failed in it, to give to the world an highly ornamented set of the Plays of Shakspeare. How far the Editor has succeeded in his department is a different consideration: all that he can say is, he has done his best; and with this reflection on his mind he is not afraid to submit his labours to the public.

List of Plates, with directions to the binder for

the placing of them.

Vol. I. The Head of Shakspeare to face the title-page.

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I.

Two Gentlemen of Verona... Act II. Sc. II.....

140

I.

Ditto......

Act V. Sc. II... .. .. ... 195

II.

Merry Wives of Windsor... Act III. Sc. III..

64

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II.

Measure for Measure....... Act II. Sc. II

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II.

Ditto......

....

Act IV.Sc.III. . . . . . . .

346

III.

Midsummer-Night's Dream.. Act II. Sc. II........

26

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Merchant of Venice........ Act I. Sc. III........ 275

Much Ado about Nothing.. Act IV. Sc. I...

Act IV. Sc. I........ 343

.....

74

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All's Well That Ends Well... Act III. Sc. V........

354

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The Taming of the Shrew... Ind. Sc. II......

17

V.

Ditto......

Act III. Sc. II. .

68

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VI.

Ditto.....

VI.

King John..

VI.

Ditto.....

VI.

King Richard II......

VI.

Ditto......

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Act V. Sc. II. . . . . . . . 92
Act III. Sc. IV........ 199

. Act IV. Sc. I.... .... 204
Act III. Sc. IV...
Act V. Sc. III.

VII. King Henry IV. Part I...... Act II. Sc. IV............

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VIII. King Henry VI. Part I.......
VIII. Ditto....

VIII. King Henry VI. Part II..
VIII. Ditto......

VIII. King Henry VI. Part III..... Act II. Sc. V........ 338

VIII. Ditto....

IX. King Richard III..

351

876

56

...

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