ADDRESS to the PUBLIC. 



the knowledge of them, is to contribute to 

 general improvement. 



Nor is the utility uf the prefent publication 

 confined to perlon of the rank already de- 

 fcribed. It will be found ferviceable even to 

 thofe whofe fiturtion in life hath enabled them 

 to purchafe all the expenlive editions of our 

 great dramatill. The book now offered to 

 the public may commodioufly be taken into a 

 coach or a poll-chaife, for amufement in a 

 journey. Or if a company of gentlemen 

 fhould happen, in converfation, to mention 

 Shakspeare, or to difpute concerning any 

 particular paiTage, a volume containing the 

 whole of his Plays may, with great conve- 

 nience, be fetched by a fervant out of a li* 

 brary or a clofet. In iliort, any particular 

 paffage may at all times and with eafe be re- 

 curred to. It js a compendium, not an 

 abiidgernent, of the nobleft of our poets, and 

 a library in a fmgle voiume. 



The editor hath endeavoured to give all 

 the perfedlion to this work which the nature 

 of it can adn^it. The account of his Life, 

 which is taken from Rowe, and his Laft Will, 

 in reality comprehend almoft every thing that 

 is known with regard to tlie perfonal hiftory 

 of Shakspeare. The anxious refearches 

 of his admirers have fcarcely been able to col- 

 iec'^any farther information concerning him. 



The text, in the prcTent edition, is given 

 as it has been fettled by the moft approved 

 commentators. It does not conliil with the 



limits 



