SUGGESTED ORIGIN OF MUTILATIONS. cxxvii such mistakes as those noticed on pp. xxxii., xlii., and most of the others indeed, were obviously occasioned. To illustrate what I have suggested on p. liv., I would remind the reader of a certain traditional lady who is reputed to possess an unconscious facility for transmuting one word into another solely because there is a similarity in their sound, the result being, of course, exceedingly malapropos, amusing, absurd, or calamitous to the sense. Even intelligent printers at the present time fall into similar mistakes, but for a different reason than that which induces the said lady to stumble-they being preoccupied in the mechanical act of selecting and placing the types, the full play of their intelligence in relation to their " " is concopy sequently disturbed. The restoration I refer to in p. liv. is but one of many where the question is not of much importance as to how mutilations happen; for if the complete solution of it were insisted upon before accepting of any restoration, that would be as unwise, I conceive, as to hesitate to pronounce on the beauty of a butterfly until we had satisfied ourselves that it was the actual product intended by the dead and discarded chrysalis. The true test of a restoration is, that it shall be self-convincing, presenting its own credentials, the authority of the individual, whoever he may be, suggesting it possessing for the moment no weight. The disastrous mutilation specially referred to convinces me though some others are as convincingthat Milton had no fair opportunity of having proof sheets presented to him for revision; or certainly, that he could not command the necessary help-help of the highest quality would be needed—to effectively aid him in such revision, and so these grievous failures may be satisfactorily accounted for. I entertain the suspicion, besides, that it was almost impossible to secure accuracy in those days, arising from the imperfect conditions under which the art of printing was carried on, and the ignorance of those engaged in it, which would be sufficient to baffle authors, irritate them, and induce a positive despair of attaining correctness, unless, perhaps, they were exceedingly vigilant and painstaking. These difficulties must have been aggravated in Milton's case, especially when we remember that the second edition of his "Tractate on Education," published in the year before his death, 66 was less accurate in its punctuation and in some other respects than the former one." Why should there be any doubt or wonder, then, that casualties happened with "Paradise Lost," both in the preparation of the first and in reprinting subsequent editions? It is recognized by one editor that "there are passages in which words seem to have been misunderstood by his amanuensis or by the printer -then why should any serious effort at emending be looked upon with disfavour or at least with coldness? The fate of "Paradise Lost" is peculiarly one that illustrates the witty remark, that mutilated or forged writings are among the new terrors of death for authors. Just as a bye thought, my suggestions as to the difficulties that were without doubt then encountered by authors in carrying their works through the press, may explain how it is that Shakespeare's works are mutilated and corrupt. The following remarks, being portion of a letter written by a gentleman whose literary tastes are SUGGESTED ORIGIN OF MUTILATIONS. cxxix supreme amidst the earnest activities of business, reached me too late to embody in my preliminary matter; but I am reluctant to withhold it, as it so fitly and pointedly expresses the judgment of a great number on the mutilated condition of the "Paradise Lost" : "Some say that the ordinary reader of the 'Paradise Lost' has not sufficient capacity to apprehend, without learned explanation, much of its contents, but I think this is not an exact statement of the case. Ordinary minds undoubtedly have to pass by unfathomable or unintelligible passages, but are not extraordinary minds baffled in the same way? Some literary men have made unavailing attempts to unravel those passages, so have been driven to the conclusion that Milton either 'nodded,' or that some malign influence had stepped in and disfigured his work after it had passed his lips. No wonder, then, that the 'Paradise Lost' does not receive that attention which its great merits so richly deserve. Speaking from experience, it is disheartening to read and enjoy a few fine plain passages and then to be suddenly stopped by some lines in so much confusion, as it now seems they are, that the continuation of the subject is completely broken and the interest extinguished. Then one passes on under the impression that it is one's own weak capacity that is at fault, and that none but the learned after all can fathom the difficulty. This experience, however, is that of a vast number. But now, as far as I have seen of your work, the rough places will be made smooth, and mountains of difficulty will be removed. This will necessarily conduce to a wider perusal of the grand Poem, the benefit and influence of which must be great, as well as the pleasure to be derived therefrom." Another letter, conveying similar testimony, has also reached me, from which I make the following extract: "Your work must, I am sure, be a landmark in the history of the literature of this century, so inestimable do I reckon the 'Paradise Lost,' as a component part of that literature. It seems almost ridiculous that the usual readings have been so long accepted. There is now light where darkness reigned before." ERRATA. Ir ought not to be a matter of surprise that in the correction of some hundreds of errors a few slips should have occurred, but they are so few as to be, I am sure, readily pardoned. I may be permitted to say, however, that such as there are could hardly have passed my notice had I not persevered in my revision during intervals of severe sickness. Perhaps I may be permitted to plead also, as a set off, my correction in the text of so great a number hitherto not suspected. II., 117-after "slothful" substitute a for the colon. show more?" for the comma. for the comma. His lapsed powers, though forfeit, and enthralled III., 726-place a semicolon after "invade." IV., 558-place a comma after "air." V., 3-And temp'rate vapours bland. |