OR, THE ABDUCTION. A TALE OF THE DAYS OF SHAKSPEARE. BY CAPTAIN CURLING, AUTHOR OF THE SOLDIER OF FORTUNE," "JOHN OF ENGLAND," 66 SHAKSPEARE, THE LOVER, THE POET," &c. &c. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON: CHARLES J. SKEET, 10, KING WILLIAM STREET, CHARING CROSS. 1864. 250. 5.185- TO THE READER. The following work-a tale of the days of Shakspeare-and the composition of which had been truly a labour of love to its lamented author, was destined to be his last production. A fatal malady-disease of the heart-from the effects of which he had long suffered, terminated his existence rather suddenly, on the 16th February, soon after the last sheet of the book reached his hands. The indulgence of the reader, will, it is hoped, kindly excuse some typographical and other errors which, under these painful circumstances, escaped the author's correction when the sheets were passing through the |