ntimate
connection to the history of America. John Keats's brother George made
his home in Kentucky, and his descendants are still residents of
Philadelphia. Tench Francis, the merchant, who was for many years the
agent for the Penns in their domain, and who was the first cashier of
the Bank of North America, was a cousin of Sir Philip Francis, the
reputed author of the "Junius" letters. Sir Philip wrote to Tench's
brother, Turbott, whom he called, familiarly, "Tubby:" "At present I am
bound to the Ganges, but who knows whether I may not end my days on the
banks of the Ohio? It gives me great comfort to reflect that I have
relatives, who are honest fellows, in almost every part of the world. In
America the name of Francis flourishes. I don't like to think of the
quantity of salt water between us. If it were claret I would drink my
way to America." The name of Francis certainly flourishes in
Philadelphia. The intricate little settlement of Francisville, within
the city, perpetuates the name of the family.

It has always been asserted and believed that Gulian Crommelin
Verplanck, of New York, was the first American editor of Shakespeare. A
few jottings from the _Port Folio_ will show that he has too rashly been
placed upon the pinnacle, and that the honor justly belongs to Joseph
Dennie.

The _Port Folio_ of February 11, 1804 (p. 46) advertises "the first
complete edition of Shakespeare in this country, from the text of the
best editors of Shakespeare. To be published by Hugh Maxwell and Thomas
S. Manning." No editor's name is mentioned, but in the following month
(March 10, 1804) Dennie tells the whole story: "The editor, having, at
the request of his publisher, undertaken to superintend a new edition of
the Plays of Shakespeare, is particularly desirous of inspecting the
first folio edition. This is probably very scarce, and may be found only
in the cabinet of some distant virtuoso. But the owner of this rare book
will be very gratefully thanked if the editor can have permission to
consult it for a short season." Later on (April 14, p. 119) Dennie
confesses some further "wants:" "During some weeks in which the editor
has been engaged in researches respecting the text of Shakespeare he
has had frequent occasion to acknowledge the kindness of many literary
gentlemen who have directed his attention to many books auxiliary to his
labors. But notwithstanding his own inquisitiveness and the aid of
others, he still has not h