ADVERTISEMENT. TH H E reader may observe that, contrary to former usage, no head of Shakspeare is prefixed to the present edition of his plays. The undisguised fact is this. The only portrait of him that even pretends to authenticity, by means of injudicious cleaning, or fome other accident, has become little better than the "shadow of a shade."* The late Sir Joshua Reynolds indeed once suggested, that whatever person it was designed for, it might have been left, as it now appears, unfinished. Various copies and plates, however, are faid at different times to have been made from it; buta regard for truth obliges us to confess that they are all unlike each other, t and convey no diftinct resem blance of the poor remains of their avowed original. Of the drapery and curling hair exhibited in the * Such, we think, were the remarks, that occurred to us several years ago, when this portrait was acceffible. We wished indeed to have confirmed them by a second view of it; but a late accident in the noble family to which it belongs, has precluded us from that fatisfa&ion. † Vertue's portraits have been over-praised on account of their fidelity; for we have now before us fix different heads of Shakspeare engraved by him, and do not scruple to affert that they have individually. a different caft of countenance. Cucullus non facit monachum. The shape of our author's ear-ring and falling-band may correspond in them all, but where shall we find an equal conformity in his features? Few objects indeed are occafionally more difficult to seize, than the flender traits that mark the character of a face; and the eye will often VOL. I. a |