23 FEBRUARY 1867, Page 21

Shakespeare Illustrated by Old Authors. By William LOW08 Rushton. (Longmans.)—Of

making many books about Shakespeare there is no end. We do. not wish to be uncivil to Mr. Rushton, but he might go on for ever in this quest of parallel passages. And we notice with some awe that the present collection of them is labelled Part I. We grant that many of them are rare and curious, and that they do credit to Mr. Rushton's rare and curious learning as well as to his industry. If he can succeed in throwing light on the doubtful parts of Shakespeare by means of older authors, he will deserve a loss equivocal praise.