THE

RECEIVED TEXT OF SHAKESPEARE Preparing for publication

BY THE SAME AUTHOR

A THIRD SERIES OF LETTERS

ON THE

PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN MIND THE RECEIVED TEXT

OF

SHAKESPEARE'S DRAMATIC WRITINGS

AND ITS IMPROVEMENT

BY

SAMUEL BAILEY

LONDON

LONGMAN, GREEN, LONGMAN, AND ROBERTS

1862

PREFACE.

The Notes on Shakespeare which compose the present Volume were begun as a diversion from abstruser studies; but the Author soon found that to do anything effectual in this way required nearly as much diligent research and patient thought as to discuss the Principles of Value, the Metaphysics of Vision, or the Theory of Reasoning. The attractiveness of the employment, nevertheless, drew him on, till his memoranda had, in the progress

accumulated to a considerable bulk, from which he now offers a selection to the Public. Should it turn out that he has succeeded in throwing light on any portion of the text of our great dramatist, it will be no small addition to the pleasure he has already enjoyed in making the attempt.

of years,

NORBURY, near SHEFFIELD.

Nov. 21st, 1861.