Comments on the Plays of Beaumont and Fletcher: With an Appendix, Containing Some Further Observations on Shakespeare, Extended to the Late Editions of Malone and Steevens

Comments On The Plays Of Beaumont And Fletcher: With An Appendix, Containing Some Further Observations On Shakespeare, Extended To The Late Editions Of Malone And Steevens by John Monck Mason. This volume presents a detailed critical survey of Beaumont and Fletcher's plays, pairing extensive textual notes with observations on Shakespeare credited to Malone and Steevens. Mason reviews earlier editions and editorial practices, defends readings drawn from ancient copies (such as the second folio) and laments over attempts to force metre where prose or verse principles are better suited. The Preface and extensive annotations illustrate a philological approach to early modern drama, including emendations, punctuation, and glosses across plays such as The Maid’s Tragedy, Philaster, The Elder Brother, The Custom of the Country, and related works. An Appendix extends the critique to Shakespeare, offering cross?textual observations linked to Malone and Steevens. Overall, the work functions as a substantial 18th?century reference on Beaumont and Fletcher’s canon and on Shakespearean textual scholarship.