To liften to our purpose." Again, in The Winter's Tale, Act I. fc. ii. Thou doft make poffible, things not fo held." The plain meaning is, thou doft make those things poffible, which are held to be impoffible. But the editor of the fecond folio, not understanding the line, reads Thou doft make poffible things not to be fo held;" i. e. thou doft make thofe things to be efteemed impoffible, which are poffible; the very reverse of what the poet meant. In the fame play is this line: I am appointed him to murder you." Here the editor of the fecond folio, not being converfant with Shakspeare's irregular language, "This diamond he greets your wife withal, In meafurelefs content.' Not knowing that shut up meant concluded, the edi◄ tor of the fecond folio reads 66 and fhut it up [i. e. the diamond] In meafurelefs content. In the fame play the word lated, ( Now fpurs the 'lated traveller-") not being underflood, is changed to latest, and Colmes-Inch to Colmes-hill. Again, ibidem: when Macbeth fays, Hang thofe that talk of fear," it is evident that these words are not a wifh or imprecation, but an injunction to hang all the cowards in Scotland. The editor of the fecond folio, however, confidering the paffage in the former light, reads: And all our yefterdays have lighted fools In King Richard II. Bolingbroke fays, And I muft find that title in your tongue," &c. i. e. you must address me by that title. But this not being understood, town is in the fecond folio fubftituted for tongue. The double comparative is common in the plays of Shakspeare. Yet, instead of So, in Othello, A& Í. fc. v. — opinion, a fove reign miftrefs of effects, throws a more fafer voice on you, "-is changed in the fecond folio, toopinion, &c. throws a more fafe voice on you. Again, in Hamlet, A& III. fc. ii. instead of → your wifdom fhould fhew itself more richer, to fignify this to the doctor; 1632,66 rich," &c. we find in the copy of your wifdom fhould fhew itself more In The Winter's Tale, the word vast not being understood, 66- they shook hands as over a vaft." First Folio. we find in the second copy, as over a vaft fea." In King John, Act V. fc. v. first folio, are these lines: The English lords By his perfuafion are again fallen off." The editor of the fecond folio, thinking, I fuppose, that as these lords had not before deferted the French king, it was improper to fay that they had again fallen off, fubftituted are at laft fallen off;" not perceiving that the meaning is, that these lords had gone back again to their own countrymen, whom they had before deferted. In King Henry VIII. A&t II. sc. ii. Norfolk speaking of Wolfey, fays, I'll venture one have at him." This being misunderstood, is changed in the fecond copy to I'll venture one heave at him.' Julius Cæfar likewife furnishes various specimens of his ignorance of Shakspeare's language. The phrase, to bear hard, not being understood, inflead of Caius Ligarius doth bear Cæfar hard." Firft Folio., we find in the fecond copy, Caius Ligarius doth bear Cæfar hatred.” and from the fame cause the words dank, bleft, and VOL. I. D d |