(454) General Observation. From this play the Tatler formed a story, [Johnson here copies out the _Tatler_ story.] It cannot but seen strange that Shakespeare should be so little known to the author of the Tatler, that he should suffer this story to be obtruded upon him; or so little known to the publick, that he could hope to make it pass upon his readers as a real narrative of a transaction in Lincolnshire; yet it is apparent, that he was deceived, or intended to deceive, that he knew not himself whence the story was taken, or hoped that he might rob so obscure a writer without detection. Of this play the two plots are so well united, that they can hardly be called two without injury to the art with which they are interwoven. The attention is entertained with all the variety of a double plot, yet is not distracted by unconnected incidents. The part between Catharine and Petruchio is eminently spritely and diverting. At the marriage of Bianca the arrival of the real father, perhaps, produces more perplexity than pleasure. The whole play is very popular and diverting, (see 1765, III,97,5) Vol. IV ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL I.i.1 (3,2) [In delivering my son from me] [W: dissevering] Of this change I see no need: the present reading is clear, and, perhaps, as proper as that which the great commentator would substitute; for the king _dissevers_ her son from her, she only _delivers_ him. I.i.5 (4,3) [to whom I am now in ward] Under his particular care, as my guardian, till I come to age. It is now almost forgotten in England that the heirs of great fortunes were the king's _wards_. Whether the same practice prevailed in France, it is of no great use to enquire, for Shakespeare gives to all nations the manners of England. I. i.19 (4,5) [This young gentlewoman had a father, (O, that _had_! how sad a passage 'tis!)] [W: presage 'tis] This emendation is ingenious, perhaps preferable to the present reading, yet since _passage_ may be fairly enough explained, I have left it in the text. _Passage_ is _anything that passes_, so we now say, a _passage_ of an _authour_. and we said about a century ago, the _passages_ of a _reign_. When the _countess_ mentions Helena's loss of a father, she recollects her own loss of a husband, and stops to observe how heavily that word _had_ passes through her mind.