When Heminge and Condell put forth the first folio of Shakspeare in
1623, as if with a fine prescience of the immortal fame which was
destined to await the writings of their "so worthy Friend and Fellow,"
they addressed the volume to all, "from the most able to him that can
but read." And it is obvious from the moderate price at which it has
been issued, that the proprietor of the handsome one-volume edition
which has just appeared under the title of _The Lansdowne Shakspeare_
looks for purchasers within the same wide range. The book is indeed well
calculated to win favour from all classes. The text, which is based on
that of Collier, compared with that of the first folio and the editions
of Steevens, Malone, Knight, &c., is clearly and distinctly printed; the
names of the characters being given, not only at full length, and in the
middle of the page, but also in red ink. The stage directions are
distinguished in the like manner. It has, moreover, the Dedicatory
Address and Commendatory Verses from the original edition; and, what
certainly deserves especial mention, an admirable facsimile by Robinson
of the portrait by Droeshout, which, on the authority of Ben Jonson's
well-known declaration, that it was a work--
"Wherein the Graver had a strife
With Nature, to out doo the life:
O could he but have drawne his wit
_As well in brasse as he hath hit
His face_; the Print would then surpasse
All that was ever writ in brasse"--
is by many regarded as the most authentic portrait of the great poet.
Altogether, therefore, _The Lansdowne Shakspeare_ is a beautiful book,
and well deserves to be both the library and travelling companion of
every lover of poetry--of every student of Shakspeare.
Our correspondent, Dr. Henry, has published a miscellaneous volume under
the title of _Unripe Windfalls_, which consists of some amusing _vers de
societe_--a Letter addressed to ourselves, containing some very
trenchant criticism on the obscurities of Lord Byron; and, lastly, some
specimens of Dr. Henry's _Virgilian Commentaries_, some few of which
have appeared in our columns. This fact, coupled with the letter
addressed to ourselves, must preclude us from speaking of the volume in
those terms of commendation which we should otherwise have felt it right
to employ.
_Outlines of Comparative Physiology touching the Structure and
Development of the Races of Animals Living and Extinct_, by L. Agassiz
and A. A. Gould, _edited from the Revised Edition and greatly enlarged_
by T. Wright, M.D., is the new issue of Bohn's _Scientific Library_. The
present volume forms the first part of the _Principles of Zoology_,
which was designed by Professor Agassiz, in conjunction with Mr. Gould,
as a text book for the use of the higher schools and colleges, for
which, as the editor remarks, it is well adapted from its simplicity of
style, clearness of arrangement, and its important and comprehensive
range of subjects. In the present edition the woodcut illustrations have
been increased from 170 to 390, thereby adding greatly to the value of a
work which is well calculated to furnish the general reader with
trustworthy information upon the matter to which it relates.
BOOKS RECEIVED.--_The Literary and Scientific Register and Almanac for
1852_, edited by J. W. G. Gutch, puts forth this--its eleventh
appearance--with increased claims to public favour in the shape of many
important additions and improvements, in the great mass of condensed
information which it contains. _The Orations of M. T. Cicero literally
translated by_ C. D. Yonge, B.A. _Vol. I. containing the Orations for
Quintius, Sextus Roscius, Quintus Roscius, against Quintius Caecilius and
against Verres_, is the new volume of Bohn's _Classical Library_. The
fifth volume of _Neander's General History of the Christian Religion and
Church_ (of the value of which we have already spoken) forms the new
issue of the same enterprising publisher's _Standard Library_.