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and if from any quarter, however unreſpectable, others ſhall be added to that number, they ſhall be accepted in like manner; but I do not expect that will be the caſe; as it is probable, if any further diſcoveries of the ſame kind could have been made, they would have been pointed out. Dum ſilent clamant.—Dr. Johnſon has juſtly obſerved, that a diſcurſive mind cannot be always kept ſteadily fixed on evaneſcent truth. I never flattered myſelf ſo far as to ſuppoſe, that in this long work "the indiſpoſed and ſickly fit" ſhould not ſometimes render me unequal to the taſk; that what happens to all mankind, occaſional languor and temporary inability, ſhould not affect me like other mortals: I reſolved, however, to make the beſt exertions in my power; and ſometimes flattered myſelf that by this proceſs, which had never before been attempted, and a long acquaintance with the writers of Shakſpeare's age, I ſhould be able to improve on all the former editions of this author; but in the moment of the moſt ſanguine hope I could not ſuppoſe that in this col-
lation
gence or care of mine ſhall be wanting to render this new edition of my work, which is to be ornamented with engravings, and to be printed in fifteen volumes, royal quarto, worthy of our greateſt Engliſh poet.—The firſt two volumes are intended to be publiſhed next year.
