REFERENCES DESCRIPTIVE OF THE PLATES. TWELFTH NIGHT. Two introductory scenes, the saving of VIOLA, and of SEBASTIAN, have been given, in accordance with our design of illustrating Shakspeare, by representing the incidents he has described or only alluded to, as well as to explain the mistakes which afterwards arise, by showing the connexion and likeness between VIOLA and SEBASTIAN. A final scene, also, has been added, to show the conclusion of the play. The description of SIR ANDREW Aguecheek, "As tall a man as any 's in Illyria," has been literally followed, as forming a better contrast to VIOLA in the duel and other scenes, it not being at all certain that any other meaning should be attached to the word. It is the only visible qualification mentioned, and is not denied by MARIA, and it is conceived that the falsehood of all the rest of the description, as to his skill in languages and possession of all the good gifts of nature, does not invalidate this single uncontradicted assertion. The commentators have applied this also to his internal man, and explain it by "bold" but MARIA'S speech seems to have been overlooked: "He hath the gift of a coward to allay the gust he hath in quarrelling." The only other interpretation to be put upon it is "rich;" as, in answer to MARIA's question, "What's that to the purpose?" SIR TOBY answers, "Why, he has three thousand ducats a-year." But for the advantage above-mentioned, the literal meaning of the word has been taken, in preference to any dubious interpretation. |