quently, alas, however, it is in vain to enquire in the striking language of Macbeth : "Can'st thou not minister to a mind diseas'd, Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow, Raze out the written tablets of the brain, C. V. G. ADDENDUM TO THE NOTES TO "HAMLET."- Hamlet. "We defy augury: there is a special Providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come the readiness is all since no man, of aught he leaves, knows, what is't to leave betimes?"-(Act V., Scene II.) : A brief, but very sententious and remarkable speech; especially as illustrative of Hamlet's deep and difficult character. The sentiment is in exact harmony with his noted soliloquy on Death, as "a consummation devoutly to be wish'd," by those who would, by dying, "end their heart-ache." Just before the present passage, the melancholy Prince had said to his friend Horatio,-"Thou wouldst not think how ill all's here about my heart; but it is no matter." This is said in expectation of his fencing with Laertes, which proves fatal to both. There is great signification in the brief remark-" the readiness is all;" it is a sermon in a word; and reminds us of the Divine Warning: "Be ye ready." The meaning is unfolded in those few memorable words of the Angel to Adam : "Nor love thy life, nor hate; but what thou liv'st Paradise Lost, Book XI. "Since the time of our dying is foreordered by Providence, and we retain no knowledge of what we leave behind; what matter how soon we die? The readiness for death is all.” One of the many noble thoughts, and mighty truths, flung over his pages by our wild, deep, universal SHAKSPEARE; thick, and bright, and varied as the stars over the midnight heavens! LINES WRITTEN ON A FLY-LEAF OF THE EIGHTH AND LAST VOLUME OF THE REV. W. HARNESS' EDITION OF Shakspeare. Just published, in Demy Octavo, handsomely bound in cloth, gilt edges, with two Engravings, price Three Shillings, Also, just published in Foolscap Octavo, extra cloth boards, gilt edges, with Illustrations, price 2s. 6d., and with MR. WHELER'S GUIDE TO STRATFORD, price 3s. 6d., A PILGRIMAGE TO STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, THE BIRTH-PLACE OF SHAKSPEARE. BY CHARLES VAUGHAN GRINFIELD, M.D. Published in London by LONGMAN, BROWN, and Co., and in Coventry by JOHN MERRIDEW; sold also by the Booksellers of Leamington, Warwick, and Stratford-upon-Avon. The Publisher has for Sale a large collection of SHAKSPERIAN Portraits, Views, Mr. Young's Medals, in Bronze and Silver, besides various interesting Warwickshire and Shaksperian Works, any Orders for which will be thankfully received, and meet with immediate attention. 3, Hertford Street, Coventry, 1850. The following Collection of RARE AND VALUABLE BOOKS, in various classes of Literature, including an unusual assemblage of SIR WILLIAM DUGDALE'S WORKS, formerly the Property of the late THOMAS SHARP, Esq., F.S.A., the eminent Coventry Antiquary, is now submitted for private sale, (with prompt payment,) by J. MERRIDEW, HERTFORD-ST., Coventry. Dugdale's Works. Dugdale's Antiquities of Warwickshire, enlarged by DR. THOMAS, four portraits, and nearly FORTY additional drawings, etchings, and plates inserted, many of them unpublished, and all of choice character; very clean, perfect, and desirable copy. 2 vols. 1730 These volumes are eminently deserving the attention of the antiquary or bibliopolist. In addition to their value as a genuine Dr. Thomas's edition, which now realises a large sum in the market, they acquire peculiar interest from the numerous original and unique illustrations added by its former owner, the late Mr. Sharp, the eminent Coventry antiquary, together with M.S. additions to the text, more particularly with relation to the City of Coventry, bringing down the list of Members of Parliament, &c. &c., to a recent period. John Merridew has the pleasure to offer this attractive copy, with the additional plates and illustrations referred to, at 24 guineas. Dugdale's Antiquities of Warwickshire, a fine copy of the Coventry edition, large folio, calf, warranted perfect in plates and letter-press, particularly adapted for illustration; it is carefully copied without the least alteration, from the original, published in the year 1656; and besides the early copper-plate cuts, contains the new maps of the County and Hundreds, also a whole sheet curious prospect of Blythe Hall, the seat of the author, with the Hollar portrait of Dugdale prefixed, and numerous other illustrations, rough calf, £5. 15s. 6d. 1765 Dugdale's Warwickshire, Coventry edition, wanting three plates, otherwise perfect, in calf binding, tall and clean copy, with the original Hollar portrait, £3. 18s. 1765 Dugdale's Antiquities of Warwickshire, original edition, illustrated from Records, Leiger Books, M.SS. Charters, Evidences, Tombs, and Arms; folio, first edition, portrait and plates by Hollar, imperfect in plates and letter-press, calf, £1 11s. 6d. London, 1656 Dugdale and Dodsworth's Monasticon Anglicanum, with Brilliant Impressions of the numerous plates, by Hollar and King, with a few additions, 3 vols., original calf binding, £9. 9s. Od. 1665-1673 This set cost Mr. Sharp £18. Os. Od.-(Stowe sale, £14. 18s. 6d.) Dugdale's Monasticon, Continuation of, by Stevens, being the History of ancient Abbies, Monasteries, Hospitals, Cathedrals, Collegiate Churches, etc., vol. 1, folio, plates, £1. 11s. 6d. 1722 This volume, interesting in itself, is rendered additionally attractive from the fact of it bearing direct evidence on its own pages of being (so to speak) the textbook employed by Mr. Sharp in the preparation and collection of his M.SS. connected with the "Mysteries," for although the collated copy of the "Corpus Christi Plays" (p.p. 139 et seq.) have no positive connection with the Coventry Plays, it proves the great interest and research evinced by Mr. Sharp in all matters connected with the ancient ceremonials he has so amply illustrated. |