Shakespeare and Voltaire #265637

As was the course pursued in the preceding volume of this series, I have endeavored to give the reader some conception of the less-known men of letters who became involved in the controversies which went on in regard to Shakespeare as well as an account of the part they played. Furthermore, the plan indicated in the general introduction has been followed. This is to treat each subject so as to constitute it of itself an independent work, thereby rendering it unnecessary for the reader to make himself familiar with what has preceded. In the case of the present volume the result has been accom plished by the slight summary, supplied in this preface, of certain conclusions reached in the previous treatise. The adoption of this course has likewise rendered it necessary to recount again a few facts which were con tained in that volume. In one instance indeed a short quotation has been given for the second time. But even in repetitions necessary to render the work complete in itself, an effort has been made to present from a diflerent point of view the details of the incidents which were related and the portrayal of the personages who were de scribed. Nor can the whole amount of repetition be con sidered as being of much consequence. At most it does not occupy the space of more than two or three pages.