NOTES ON BOOKS, SALES, CATALOGUES, ETC.
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 société—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 Cæcilius 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.
BOOKS AND ODD VOLUMES
WANTED TO PURCHASE.
A SERMON preached at Fulham in 1810 by the REV. JOHN OWEN of Paglesham, on the death of Mrs. Prowse, Wicken Park, Northamptonshire (Hatchard).
FÜSSLEIN, JOH. CONRAD, BEYTRÄGE ZUR ERLÄUTERUNG DER KIRCHEN-REFORMATIONS-GESCHICHTE DES SCHWEITZERLANDES. 5 Vols. Zurich, 1741.
*** Letters, stating particulars and lowest price, carriage free, to be sent to MR. BELL, Publisher of "NOTES AND QUERIES," 186. Fleet Street.