Publisher's Synopsis
It is not our intention to go into this controversy further than to state the nature of it, which we can best do by using Mr. Dyce's own words. Mr. Collier is bound to reply to the charge, and doubtless will do so. Shakesperian readers will be gainers by the controversy, but friends of both parties will regret the spirit of Mr. Collier's critiques upon Mr. Dyce's readings, and will also regret the tone of Mr. Dyce's reply. In his Preface, the latter gentleman says: -
"Besides bringing against me in his Preface sundry charges which are utterly false, Mr. Collier has over and over again, when speaking of me in his Notes, had recourse to such artful misrepresentations, as, I believe, was never before practised, except by the most unprincipled hirelings of the press. I do not make this statement unadvisedly; let Mr. Collier, -who is fond of addressing the public about himself and his grievances, -gainsay it if he can; he may, indeed, attempt to excuse his false charges on the miserable plea that' he wrote in haste, without sufficient enquiry, ' &c, &c., but the proofs which I have adduced of his deliberate misrepresentation are too strong to admit of even an attempt to invalidate them."
Such is a specimen of the strong language used by Mr. Dyce in his Preface; after this he proceeds to notice the passages seriatim in which Mr. Collier has attacked him by name or implication in the various plays.
-The Gentleman's Magazine and Historical Review, Volume 207 [1859]
