THE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE. IN NINE VOLUMES. WITH THE CORRECTIONS AND ILLUSTRATIONS OF DR. JOHNSON, G. STEEVENS, AND OTHERS, REVISED BY ISAAC REED... THIRD POSTO FROM THE FIFTH LONDON EDITION. VOL. I. Time, which is continually washing away the dissoluble Fabricks of other Poets, passes BOSTON: PRINTED BY MUNROE, FRANCIS & PARKER, FOR THEM- 1810. SOME ACCOUNT OF SHAKSPEARE'S LIFE AND WRITINGS. WRITTEN BY N. ROWE, ESQ. It seems to be a kind of respect due to the memory of excellent men, especially of those whom their wit and learning have made famous, to deliver some account of themselves, as well as their works, to posterity. For this reason, how fond do we see some people of discovering any little personal story of the great men of antiquity! Their families, the common accounts of their lives, and even their shape, make, and features have been the subject of critical inquiries. How trifling soever this curiosity may seem to be, it is certainly very natural; and we are hardly satisfied with an account of any remarkable person, till we have heard him described even to the very clothes he wears. As for what relates to men of letters, the knowledge of an author may sometimes conduce to the better understanding his book: and though the works of Mr. Shakspeare may seem to many not to want a comment, yet I fancy some little account of the man himself may not be thought improper to go along with them. He was the son of Mr. John Shakspeare; and was born at Stratford upon Avon, in Warwickshire, in April, 1564. His family, as appears by the register and publick writings relating to that town, were of good figure and fashion there, and are mentioned as gentlemen. His father, who was a considerable dealer in wool, had so large a family, ten children in all, that |