in terms of greater self-approbation, without deviating from modesty or truth *. JOHNSON. *This passage relates to the edition published in 1773, by George Steevens, Esq. MALONE. Other passages in this Preface allude to the edition of 1799, with Notes by Samuel Johnson and George Steevens, Esq. Johnson's Preface is preserved in this edition (without alteration) for its beauty of diction, and the happy turn of reasoning throughout the whole. AN ESSAY ON THE LEARNING OF SHAKESPEARE: ADDRESSED TO JOSEPH CRADOCK, ESQ. "SHAKESPEARE," says a brother of the craft, "is a vast garden of criticism:" and certainly no one can be favoured with more weeders gratis. But how often, my dear sir, are weeds and flowers torn up indiscriminately the ravaged spot is replanted in a moment, and a profusion of critical thorns thrown over it for security. "A prudent man, therefore, would not venture his fingers amongst them." Be however in little pain for your friend, who regards himself sufficiently to be cautious:-yet he asserts with confidence, that no improvement can be expected, whilst the natural soil is mistaken for a hot-bed, and the natives of the banks of Avon are scientifically choked with the culture of exotics. Thus much for metapnor; it is contrary to the statute to fly out so early: but who can tell, whether it may not be demonstrated by some critic or other, that a de viation from rule is peculiarly happy in an Essay on Shakespeare! You have long known my opinion concerning the literary acquisitions of our immortal dramatist; and remember how I congratulated myself on my coincidence with the last and best of his editors. I told you however, that his small Latin and less Greek would still be litigated, and you see very assuredly that I am not mistaken. The trumpet hath been sounded against "the darling project of representing Shakespeare as one of the illiterate vulgar;" and indeed to so good purpose, that I would by all means recommend the performer to the army of the braying faction, recorded by Cervantes. The testimony of his contemporaries is again disputed; constant tradition is opposed by flimsy arguments; and nothing is heard, but confusion and nonsense. One could scarcely imagine this a topic very likely to inflame the passions: it is asserted by Dryden, that "those who accuse him to have wanted learning, give him the greatest commendation;" yet an attack upon an article of faith hath been usually received with more temper and complacence, than the unfortunate opinion, which I am about to defend. But let us previously lament with every lover of Shakespeare, that the question was not fully discussed by Mr. Jonson himself: what he sees intuitively, others must arrive at by a series of proofs; and I have not time to teach with precision: be contented therefore with a few cursory observations, .as they may happen to arise from the chaos of papers, you have so often laughed at,—“ a stock sufficient to set up an editor in form." I am con vinced of the strength of my cause, and superior to any little advantage from sophistical arrangements. General positions without proofs will probably have no great weight on either side, yet it may not seem fair to suppress them: take them therefore as their authors occur to me, and we will afterward proceed to particulars. The testimony of Ben stands foremost and some have held it sufficient to decide the controversy: in the warmest panegyric, that ever was written, he apologizes for what he supposed the only defect in his "beloved friend, Th' applause! delight! the wonder of our stage .— whose memory he honoured almost to idolatry:" and, conscious of the worth of ancient literature, like any other man on the same occasion, he rather carries his acquirements above, than below the truth. "Jealousy!" cries Mr. Upton; "people will allow others any qualities, but those upon which they highly value themselves." Yes, where there is a competition, and the competitor formidable: but, I think, this critic himself hath scarcely set in opposition the learning of Shakespeare and Jonson When a superiority is universally granted, it by no means appears a man's literary interest to depress the reputation of his antagonist. In truth the received opinion of the pride and malig nity of Jonson, at least in the earlier part of life, is absolutely groundless: at this time scarce a play or a poem appeared without Ben's encomium, from the original Shakespeare to the translator of Du Bartas. But Jonson is by no means our only authority. Drayton, the countryman and acquaintance of Shakespeare, determines his excellence to the naturall braine only. Digges, a wit of the town before our poet left the stage, is very strong to the purpose, ...... Nature only helpt him, for looke thorow, Suckling opposed his easier strain to the sweat of the learned Jonson. Denham assures us that all he had was from old mother-wit. His native wood-notes wild, every one remembers to be celebrated by Milton. Dryden observes prettily enough, that " he wanted not the spectacles of books to read nature." He came out of her hand, as some one else expresses it, like Pallas out of Jove's head, at full growth and mature. The ever memorable Hales of Eton, (who, notwithstanding his epithet, is, I fear, almost forgotten,) had too great a knowledge both of Shakespeare and the ancients to allow much acquaintance between them: and urged very justly on the part of genius in opposition to pedantry, that "if he had not read the classics, he had likewise not stolen from them; and if any topic was produced from a poet of antiquity he would undertake to show somewhat on the same subject, at least as well written by Shakespeare." Fuller, a diligent and equal searcher after truth and quibbles, declares positively, that "his learning was very little,-nature was all the art used upon him, as he him |