REFERENCES DESCRIPTIVE OF THE

PLATES.

TROILUS AND CRESSIDA.

THE classical grandeur in the subjects of this play renders it peculiarly adapted to pictorial illustration; though one of the least attractive amongst the splendid productions of our bard, in its literary character. The heroes immortalized by Homer and ancient art afford such capabilities for the display of imagination and design, that it has not been confined within the limits of comparatively few plates without regret. Were the play in greater favour, and classical subjects received with more attention, a liberty would have been taken with the plan of these illustrations, and every subject alluded to in the text should have been introduced; it should have been Shakspeare elucidated by Homer, with the aid of Phidias and his brother sculptors. But it would have added to an already extensive work what, in the taste of the

B 2

4

present day, it is to be feared, would be considered an encumbrance. Still one or two subjects have been deemed necessary to the conduct of the story, and one, "Helen disarming Hector," for the sake of introducing the celebrated object of contention in the Trojan war. The strictest accuracy in the costume has been attended to, and the just distinction made between the Greeks and Trojans.