The Works of Beaumont & Fletcher. Some Opinions of the Press on Vols. I and II "It is a reproach to our modern taste in literature that Dyce's edition of Beaumont and Fletcher, published in 1843-6, should have been long out of print, and that no other complete edition should be current. Messrs. Bell and Mr. A. H. Bullen, to judge by their first volume, are proceeding to remove that reproach most handsomely. The notes to each play are printed at the bottom of the page. They are both full and precise, giving all important variations or corruptions in the text, and often illustrating difficult passages by apt parallels. Altogether it is an edition designed both for the specialist and for the general reader who is not amused only by contemporary literature.” Times. "A critical edition of Beaumont and Fletcher is the boon most desired by the student of the Tudor drama. . . . That an authoritative edition was contemplated by Mr. Bullen, upon whom the mantle of Dyce has fallen, has long been known, and some impatience has been manifested at the delay in its appearance. A task such as its production was, however, not rashly to be undertaken or promised, and although Dyce has gone before, the preparation of an adequate Variorum edition may well constitute the occupation of years. The previous labours of Mr. Bullen have fitted him for the task now in progress, and its accomplishment may be regarded as the crown of editorial work by which scholarship has largely profited. The edition is entitled to a warm welcome, and is admirable in typographical as in other respects.' Athenæum. "We could write inexhaustibly upon this subject, since for a generation past we have pressed for an edition such as the present. We content ourselves with pronouncing the edition the greatest gift for which the Shakespearean student had to hope."-Notes and Queries. "A large gap promises to be well filled by the Variorum edition of 'The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher.' The attempt begins admirably; the scholarship shown in the treatment of the text is first-rate, and the notes on the chronology of the plays, the source of their plots, and their theatrical history are of great value. We look forward with pleasure to the progress of an edition that seems likely to be, like the Cambridge Shakspere,' equally indispensable to students and convenient for ordinary readers." -Manchester Guardian. "The projectors of the edition are certainly to be congratulated on securing the services of such editors. If the volumes which succeed maintain the same high standard of editing, we shall not only have an edition of Beaumont and Fletcher which will entirely supersede Dyce's, but which may be fairly said to approach finality."-Saturday Review. "This authoritative edition of the works of Beaumont and Fletcher has been eagerly awaited by all lovers and students of the drama, and, judging by this volume, it bids fair to fulfil all expectations. Mr. A. H. Bullen is the general editor, which is surety that the edition will be carried out with sound scholarship."-Academy. "All lovers of our old poetry should be grateful to Mr. Bullen for his attempt to bring before them, at a cost not too great, an edition almost perfect of the plays of these great, passionate, and romantic poets."-Daily News. LONDON: GEORGE BELL & SONS, YORK HOUSE, Portugal Street, W.C. THE WORKS OF FRANCIS BEAUMONT & JOHN FLETCHER VARIORUM EDITION GENERAL EDITOR: A. H. BULLEN VOLUME III |