FOR A

NEW EDITION

OF

SHAKESPEARE'S WORKS,

CONTAINING NOTICES OF THE

DEFECTS OF FORMER IMPRESSIONS,

AND POINTING OUT

THE LATELY ACQUIRED MEANS OF ILLUSTRATING THE PLAYS,

POEMS, AND BIOGRAPHY OF THE POET.

BY

J. PAYNE COLLIER, ESQ. F.S.A.

AUTHOR OF THE HISTORY OF

ENGLISH DRAMATIC POETRY AND THE STAGE, &c.

SECOND EDITION, WITH ADDITIONS.

LONDON:

WHITTAKER & CO. AVE MARIA LANE.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THE want of a Library Edition of Shakespeare's Works, comprising the latest discoveries and elucidations made by the continued efforts of celebrated Antiquaries and Commentators, has induced the Publishers to avail themselves of Mr. Collier's knowledge, ability, and zeal on this subject, in order to present the Public with as perfect an Edition, more especially as regards the text of the Plays and Poems, as can be given, and in such a form and size as shall render it at once available to the scholar and the general reader.

To prove the necessity of such an undertaking, they have requested Mr. Collier to draw up the ensuing statement.

The Work will be comprised in Eight handsome Demy Octavo Volumes, printed in a large type, in the best manner, on a suitable paper, and will be issued in volumes periodically, commencing on the 1st of February, 1842. A Specimen-page is appended1.

The Publishers would feel particularly obliged by purchasers notifying, at their earliest convenience, to their respective booksellers their intention to take the work, as the number printed will be regulated accordingly.

WHITTAKER AND CO.

Ave Maria Lane,

London, January, 1842.

1 This Specimen was originally selected by the Publishers before it was corrected by the Editor.