"Wherein I speak of most disastrous chances, VOL. I. SHAKSPEARE. LONDON: T. C. NEWBY, 72, MORTIMER ST., CAVENDISH Sq. ΤΟ CAPTAIN, THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD ADOLPHUS FITZCLARENCE, R.N., G.C.H., K.R.E., ETC., ETC. ETC., THESE VOLUMES ARE, BY HIS LORDSHIP'S SPECIAL PERMISSION, MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, BY HIS LORDSHIP'S TRULY GRATEFUL, AND OBEDIENT SERVANT, THE AUTHOR. PREFACE. In compliance with the usual custom to offer some sort of apology for the appearance of a work, the Author wishes that his preface should, at least, completely explain all he has to say : ving nothing at the bottom of the inkhorn." He is well aware, that, in numerous instances, although much has been to be said, and so intended, the preface works on to its conclusion silently and gradually, and even perhaps unconsciously to the author's self, leaving a certain floating body of matter at last to slide over slipperingly and insidiously by its own weight. It will then suddenly occur to the author that in his prefatory flourishes, and elaborate in |