Let him, that is yet unacquainted with the powers of _Shakespeare_, and who desires to feel the highest pleasure that the drama can give, read every play from the first scene to the last, with utter negligence of all his commentators.

When his fancy is once on the wing, let it not stoop at correction or explanation.

When his attention is strongly engaged, let it disdain alike to turn aside to the name of _Theobald_ and of _Pope_.

Let him read on through brightness and obscurity, through integrity and corruption; let him preserve his comprehension of the dialogue and his interest in the fable.

And when the pleasures of novelty have ceased, let him attempt exactness, and read the commentators.
Particular passages are cleared by notes, but the general effect of the work is weakened.