What the Public has to expect in this Volume, is set forth in it's title-page; and again in some pages of the Plays' Introduction, beginning at 31: to which knowledge of it's contents, is in those pages added—that of the volume's use and necessity, for perfecting the compiler's whole plan in such method as he conceiv'd would be best; but that passion for briefness which he is apt to indulge at all times having led him in the pages refer'd-to into a supression of some heads, and a want of fulness in others, remedy becomes a matter expedient, and the present place calls for it.

Acquaintance in some degree with the writers of Shakespeare's time and of times prior to him, their merits in point of matter, and the language they had to dress it in, is of the utmost necessity for a right comprehension of his language throughout, and right estimate of his merit: To furnish aid in these articles to all who shall wish for it, is the object of the ensuing Compilement; and a glance only over the Index before it, and over some of it's pages, will satisfy for the extent of this aid, as a further insight into them will for it's sufficiency: Phrases and words uncommon are pointed-out to observance by marks appropriated; and the extracts containing them serve now for confirmance of glossary explanation, as well as the end aforesaid: The other business propos'd in it lyes open to the judicious, and asks no setting forth; it's connexion with the first is most intimate, the same passage that yields example of words in each writer serving often to shew his talent in general.

These are the Compilement's chief uses, and may be said to pervade

the whole of it; for even such of it's extracts as are of partial concernment chiefly, as those are which come now to be spoken of, offer sometimes a phrase or a word as do the others, and are at all times samples of their inditer. Heads of extracts alluded-to are as follows:—Extracts conveying knowledge of plays unpublish'd, dates of publish'd ones, of players, of stages, points relating to Shakespeare, further and more particular knowledge of stories follow'd by him, his borrowings, and things borrow'd from him; borrowings of moderns, (Pope, Prior, Milton &c.) unknown and unown'd; together with certain others, whose tendency is not clearly definable, and whose fewness may well exempt them from classing: all or the greater part of these heads it had behov'd former criticks upon the Poet to have been a little appriz'd of, and will be of service to future ones; an office similar to it has been render'd in part to some great ancients (Virgil, particularly) by commentators who have made themselves famous by it.

The extracter as well of these as the former has thought it his duty to extend his service herein further than to the Poet most interested; and, when the books were before him, has not stop'd to consider whether the word, the phrase, or the passage, concern'd his Author immediately; but whether they were analogous, or might be useful to publishers of an author contemporary who shall be thought a fit object for them; the Public need not fear being burden'd with many such publishings, if taste is made chooser: but the engager in such a task must be at pains of overlooking the whole; and may not find (it is possible) that, in so doing they are quite thrown away.

That this whole might have somewhat a greater chance of having other perusers among those in general whose hands it shall come into, the compiler has been induc'd to fall short a little in what he may have led them to look for, and drop his “Indexes:” they are for the idle, and negligent; through them, a part or two here and there that happens to engage curiosity is turn'd-to and has a reading, and the rest is unnoted: But his volume did not admit them, which was another inducement: yet, if such things must be, addition may be made of a thin volume; and his papers (which are in readiness) for such a volume's construction shall be put in some friends hands, the writer's age and infirmities not encouraging hope that he shall himself have time and ability for even this work, light as he shall have made it.

A word or two more, in ease of the writer's conscience, about a matter that has lain on it long, and the curtain is drop'd with him.

The practice of hurrying a work forward, and sending it into the world “scarce half made up;” of licking the cub again into a shape they like better, and even into a third, is an enormous breach of duty in publishers, indeed a fraud, and he has often wonder'd the world could put-up with it: As this is his opinion, he has himself resolv'd not to be guilty of it; and it shall be no act of his, if his purchasers are at any time hence so unfairly dealt by: What future publications may be of the Shakespeare itself, 'tis his desire may be exact after the first; with no other difference than the insertion in places advis'd for it of that (n) which an Advertisement speaks of that is before the first volume, and a correcting the Introduction's few errors which shall be given below: (v. A.) Errors of the Text are all minuted, so far as he knows, in leaves a reader may turn to; and, when triffles are set aside, are not very numerous: it's improvements, by means of that (n) may be gather'd out of the Notes; and the gathering may be an impressing them, that will advantage the text more than their not appearing there harms it. Thus publish'd, the work may go down in future as his; accordances be kept up, between that, the Notes, and the Readings; and no injustice done to a buyer of the whole in these first impressions of them. Further, he thinks it right to assert upon this occasion the authenticity both of Extracts and Readings, and the truth in general of what is elsewhere advanc'd by him; so that all may rise from these volumes with the satisfaction of having acquir'd something they can depend on: what the leaf's other side has to shew, will give proof of his confidence herein.