ons are marked and unnoticed almost at
random; stops are inserted in the ends of lines fatal to the sense. In
fact, in many places, we may almost say that a complete want of points
would mislead us less than the punctuation of the Folios. The
consequence is, that our punctuation is very little dependent upon the
Folios and Quartos, but generally follows the practice which has taken
possession of the text of Shakespeare, under the arrangement of the best
editors, from Pope to Dyce and Staunton. Only for an obvious improvement
have we altered the punctuation on our own judgement, and in most cases
the alteration is recorded in the notes.

One thing remains to be said in reference to our text. It is well known,
that in James the First's reign, a statute was passed for exscinding
profane expressions from plays. In obedience to this many passages in
the Folios have been altered with an over-scrupulous care. When we have
seen the metre, or, as is sometimes the case, even the sense marred by
these changes, and the original contains no offensive profanity, we have
recalled Shakespeare's words.

Our object in the foot-notes has been (1) to state the authority upon
which a received reading rests, (2) to give all different readings
adopted into the text by other editors, and (3) to give all emendations
suggested by commentators.

When no authority is mentioned for the reading of the text, it must be
understood that all the Folios agree in it, as well as all editors
previous to the one mentioned, as authority for an alteration. Thus, in
the _Comedy of Errors_, III. 1. 71, '_cake here_] _cake_ Capell'
indicates that 'cake here' is the reading of the four Folios, of Rowe,
Pope, Theobald Hanmer, Warburton, and Johnson.

Mere differences of spelling are not noticed, except (1) in corrupt or
disputed passages, where the 'ductus literarum' is important as a help
towards the determination of the true text, and (2) when the variation
is interesting etymologically or characteristic of a particular edition.

In the same way, differences of punctuation are recorded only when they
make a difference in the sense, or when they may serve as a guide to the
restoration of some corrupt, or the explanation of some difficult,
passage.

Misprints also are passed over as a general rule. We have noticed them
occasionally, when they appeared to be remarkable as indicating the
amount of error of which the old printers were capable.

We have endea