[15] Although it is obvious that great pains were taken by Mr Reed and others (to say nothing of Dodsley) in the collation of this dramatic piece, yet they left it in a very imperfect state. In the course of it not less than fifty important variations and errors have been detected, consisting of words omitted, and words accidentally inserted, independently of errors of the press, for which of course an editor was not responsible. It is hoped that it will be now found more uniformly correct, although the editor can scarcely flatter himself that the reprint may not be still found defective.--_Collier._ [16] _Philosophie_, both editions. The alteration by Mr Dodsley. [But Dodsley does not seem to have perceived that by the change he converted the text into nonsense. The original reads-- “Lovers of wisdom are termed philosophie.” The emendation introduced was suggested by Mr Collier, who remarks:] “In the next line the author expressly speaks of _lovyng of wisdom_, as if intending to employ the words he had used before.” [17] [Scurrility.] [18] _Great_, second edition. [19] Omitted in second edition. [20] _The_, second edition. [21] Omitted in second edition. [22] [The original has _consultat_.] [23] A _Fletcher_ is a maker of arrows, from _fleche_ an arrow, Fr. The _Fletcher’s_ Company had several charters granted to them, though at present, I believe, they have only a nominal existence. Aristippus means to say, that he differs as much in disposition from _Carisophus_, as Jack the _arrowsmith_ varies in quality from a _bolt_ or _arrow_ of his own making.--_S._ [24] So, in [Fulwell’s] “Leke [will] to Leke, quoth the Devil to the Collier” [1568]: “There thou mayst be called a knave in grane, And where knaves be scant thou mayst go for twayne.” See a note on “The Two Gentlemen of Verona,” vol. i., edition 1778, p. 176.--_S._ [25] _i.e.,_ If he were hanged for it, he could not tell one tale without telling two lies. Yet Mr Collier would change _where_ to _were he_. [26] This whole line is omitted in the later of the two old copies, and as Mr Reed and his friend remarked in their notes sometimes even the variation of letters, it is singular that they should have passed over this circumstance without observation.--_Collier._ [27] _Meane_, second edition. [28] Ed. 1571 has _patron_. [29] This was proverbial. See [Hazlitt’s] “Collection of Proverbs,” p. 291.