496 View of the Editions and Commentators of Shakspeare. woundings are so corrupt, that they re- here." The transcriber's ear deceived him; untented and indented are nearly alike both in sound and characters. 4. LEAR. "A sovereign shame so elbows him." Unnoticed by all the first commentators. Seymour proposes "awes him." Jackson, "soul-bows him." A sovereign shame so oppresses the soul of Lear for his unnatural treatment of the virtuous Cordelia, that he cannot command sufficient resolution to behold her. 5. "Ten masts at each make not the altitude." Pope says, "attached." Theobald, "at each.' "Ten masts on end," Johnson. "At reach," Steevens. Jackson remarks, that there is nothing more common with compositors than to omit the first word, where two immediately connected begin with the same letter. Such, I believe, has been the case in the present passage. I am strongly of opinion, that our author wrote "Ten masts at end make not the altitude." Thus imagination forms the picture at once, one mast after another, to that altitude which ten masts produce. 6. "As those that fear they hope and know their fear."-As you like it. "As those that fear they hap."-Old Copies. "Their hap."-Warburton. "Their hope."-Steevens. "Feign their hope."-Blackstone. [June, hope should have been made a substantive, and preceded by the definite article. What has led to this error in both instances was, that they and the sound exactly alike. I will not extend these quotations of comparative emendation and conjecture, fearing that they might become tedious; but confine the subject in the remainder of this disquisition_to certain instances, in which Mr. Jackson has shewn much sagacity, and without assuming any high tone with respect to his numerous predecessors, may be allowed to have placed some hitherto obscure passages in a clearer light. "I will give treason his payment into blows." K. Henry V. "Meaning, I have received one blow from him, but I will pay it with interest, he shall have two from me. Since I wrote this note, I find that Mr. Heath proposed the same reading. It is most extraordinary that the most injudicious alterations have been made in our author's text, and conspicuous restorations refused." p. 229. I cite this, as an usual instance of Mr. Jackson's candour, when he discovers that his remarks have been thus anticipated. Of the efficacy of the typographical test, we offer only this last example. "Sleep kill those pretty eyes." Troilus and Cressida. "To bed, to bed: sleep still those pretty eyes." "The invocation is addressed to sleep, that sleep may still,' i. e. may compose her eyes, and thereby free them from that glowing animation with which passion disturbs them; that every sense may be tranquillised, and that she may be lulled into that soft repose which infants, empty of all thoughts, enjoy." p. 265. A merit, almost peculiar to Mr. Jackson, in comparison with his competitors, if I am competent to form one, is, that he does not alter words merely to make that sense which was before nonsense, but by explaining the principles on which he proceeds, he often induces a belief that Shakspeare himself originally wrote the words proposed; and is thus, as it were, a com mentator 1822.] Schools of Benevolent Society of St. Patrick. mentator upon himself. It is a merit of the same description and value as that of Canova, or some of his eminent modern predecessors, who might restore a fragmented statue of Phidias or Praxiteles, and deceive us by happy adaptation of parts into a belief that the original work had never suffered mutilation. Of this observation, the proof would be by no means difficult, if space were allowed for stating the several instances. Yet, if we were called upon to prove the precise number of instances in which we might confidently say, that Mr. Jackson had been decidedly successful out of the seven-hundred first proposed, we might be induced to allow, with due critical acumen and candour, not more than half. The remainder are ingenious, and suggested by an acute and ardent mind, enthusiastically pursuing the idea first presenting itself, and not always sufficiently reflecting whether such be original, anticipated by another, or, in fact, borne out in all its relations to the sense and real meaning of the corrected passage. Without vain glory and self gratulation upon doubt, there is too frequently apparent the supposed exclusive and primary discovery of many hidden meanings, but these must not be judged of harshly; because the subject has not been successfully treated by cold and correct Commentators only, who have gone before him; and because a very sanguine man always expects to do more by a stock of genius (whether possessed or not) than one who slowly marches in the trammels of regular criticism, and depends, not upon happy conceits, but profound erudition. Shakspeare and his present Commentator have both of them written "in their own way," unequally but forcibly, and at all events with no common interest. Some of your readers may not be indifferent as to Mr. Jackson's real situation; and may listen with candour to his own little history of himself. He was once considerable, as a printer in Dublin, and was so singularly circumstanced as to have three editions of Shakspeare passing through his press at the same time, and subjected to his daily revision. He was afterward found among those so long and unjustly detained at Verdun, by the order of Buonaparte. GENT. MAG. June, 1822. 497 There he solaced himself for the loss of liberty, by recollections of his favourite Bard; and, being without books of his own, a kind friend lent him a few volumes of Johnson and Steevens's edition of Shakspeare; and in the ninth year of his captivity, he resolved upon publishing the 700 corrections he had made, whenever he should be restored to his country. This design he has completed, in the cheap and very amusing volume lately presented to the publick. I can only adopt the quaint language of the Players in their address to the readers of their edition of Shakspeare, in 1623:-"The fate of all bookes depends upon your capacities, and not of your heads alone, but of your purses. Well! it is now publique, and you will stand for your privileges we know, to read and censure. Do so, but buy it first-that doth best commend a booke, the stationer saies." Yours, &c. E. M. S. Mr. URBAN, May 1. AMONGST the numerous cha ritable foundations which are fostered within this Metropolis and its precincts, permit me briefly to record upon your valuable pages that of " the Benevolent Society of St. Patrick;" an institution raised and endowed with the donations of individuals who are never weary in well doing-patronized and annually supported by that gracious Sovereign, whose bounty is extended to all establishments which enlighten the ignorant, and succour the distressed. This Society was formed in 1784, by a number of Noblemen and Gentlemen, natives of, or connected by property or alliance with Ireland, for the purpose of educating and clothing children, born within the bills of mortality, of Irish parents. For many years these children were placed at schools dispersed in different parts of London, but through the continued liberality of the supporters of this charity, the Committee, who superintend its administration, have been enabled to erect a structure (see Plate II.) in Stamford-street, Blackfriars - road, where His Majesty has contributed nearly 3000l. to the funds of this charity, since its formation. four 498 Account of the Apothecaries' Garden, Chelsea. four hundred children of either sex are now educated. Of these, the whole are partially, and the greater number completely clothed once a year, besides being supplied with additional shirts, shoes, and stockings at the commencement of the winter season. Having been educated, a fee is paid for placing them apprentices, and they receive a premium, if they faithfully serve through the period for which they are bound. The book annually published by the Committee (to be had gratis at the schools) contains a list of those by whose unbounded liberality this Institution has been formed, supported, and endowed. Its patrons, and the Committee (who to their subscriptions, add their constant and gratuitous labours in the promotion of its welfare) would disregard any eulogium from me. The Institution altogether, forms one of those unparalleled monuments of national philanthropy, which, when examined, excites in the spectator a veneration for that country, where the Monarch graciously unites with his People in promoting their real happiness and interests-where the opportunity is afforded to talent and industry (however obscure their origin) to aspire to, and frequently to attain, the highest honours of the State. M. G. ACCOUNT OF THE BOTANICAL [June, prising that this tree is not more cultivated in this country, for as it grows naturally upon the coldest parts of Mount Libanus, where the snow continues most part of the year, there can be no fear of its being hurt by frost in England. During the month of January 1809, an unusual quantity of snow fell in this part of the country, which lodging on the spreading branches of these Cedars, and rising in the shape of a cone, by its weight broke off their massy limbs, and very much disfigured these noble trees. Lysons says, that Sir Joseph Banks made an accurate admeasurement of these trees in the month of August 1793, and found the girth of the larger to be twelve feet eleven inches and a half, that of the smaller, twelve feet and half an inch. The apprentices of the Company, during the summer season, make monthly herborizing excursions in the vicinity of London, accompanied by a person belonging to this establishment, called the Botanical Demonstrator, whose office is to explain to his pupils the classes and medicinal use of the plants. Mr. Philip Miller enjoyed the situa tion of Gardener during nearly half a century, but it is to be lamented that his latter days were clouded by the dissatisfaction which subsisted between the Society and him on the affairs of the Garden. However, upon his resignation, the Society granted him a pension of 501. annually, which produced on both sides a cordial reconciliation, though he survived only a Tin which the plants, shrubs, and short time to enjoy it. Mr. Miller trees are arranged systematically. On the North side of the Garden, adjoining Paradise-row, a spacious greenhouse was erected in 1732, by a subscription of many members of the Society. The Library, which is placed over the Green-house, contains a valuable collection of works on Natural History, a variety of specimens of dried plants, and a curious cabinet, containing many thousand specimens of seeds, the growth of this garden; the whole collected and arranged in their present form by the late Mr. Isaac Rand. At each end of the Green-house, are two Hot-houses of smaller dimensions, the whole of which are kept in admirable order. On the side of the Garden, facing the Thames, stand two large Cedars of Libanus. It is sur was born in London in 1691, and by diligence and perseverance, raised himself to the highest reputation in his profession. He died on the 18th of December 1771, and was buried in Chelsea Church-yard, where a monument has been since erected to his memory, by the fellows of the Linnæan and Horticultural Societies of London *. In order to aid the enquiries of such visitors of the Botanical Garden, who may not have leisure to examine the collection generally, we subjoin a list of the most remarkable plants, which, as objects of curiosity or utility, are particularly worthy of notice : * See this engraved in vol. LXXXV. ii. 409. |