Part 10 — NEW READINGS IN SHAKESPEARE. (continued 2)

In regard to his edition of Shakespeare, which, we believe, is by this time published with the MS. corrector’s perversions inserted in the text, that is now a blunder past all mending. We can only say this of it, that effectual precautions having been now taken by others, and by us, to prevent this publication from ever becoming the standard edition of Shakespeare, we do not grudge it any amount of success which may fall to its share. We are rather desirous to promote its interests, knowing that it can now do no harm, and will not speedily come to a reprint. Even now it must be a very singular book. Hereafter it will be an exceedingly remarkable book—one entitled to take high rank among the morbid curiosities of literature, and to stand on the same shelf—fit companion—with Bentley’s edition of Milton. The serious truth is, that no Shakesperian collection can be complete without it. Every Shakesperian collector ought, beyond a doubt, to provide himself with a copy. People who intend to be satisfied with only one Shakespeare, ought certainly not to take up with this edition; but those who can indulge themselves with several copies, ought unquestionably to purchase it. We say this in all seriousness and gravity, notwithstanding the riddling which we have thought it incumbent on us to inflict on the old MS. corrector.

FOOTNOTES:

“Then by” is the original text, but it is ungrammatical. For “then by” Dr Delius proposes to read thereby (dabei, unterdess—that is, besides, meanwhile). But this attempt, though creditable, is not successful. Thereby, as here used, is very nearly, but it is not quite an English idiom, and was certainly not Shakespeare’s word.