NEW SHAKESPEAREAN COMEDY

Many a reader of current newspapers has wondered at the sudden frenzy of publishers to jam "all of Shakespeare in one volume" at prices ranging from "only $2.98" to "only $5.49". After assuring you that this is the one book you have lain awake nights wishing for, the chatty publisher takes you by the lapel and babbles away just like a friendly real estate agent.

"Everything that Shakespeare ever wrote--think of it! Plays, poems, sonnets, all under one cover--and such a cover! Flexible Keratol with the deep rich gaining of sumptuous leather--the bust of Shakespeare on the front--pages edged with gold on all three sides, too! An unparalleled opportunity and bargain of a life-time!"

But perhaps you have a set of Shakespeare, or have read him, or don't like him anyhow? The all-seeing publishers have thought of that. No matter! They are prepared to throw in at the same price a copy of Omar Khayyam, or "Auction Bridge for Beginners", or that amazing treasure-house, "Mrs. Doe's Famous Cook Book".

Undoubtedly these alluring advertisements are giving Shakespeare a popularity he has never enjoyed before. Eleanor Glyn, Robert Service, and all the other pygmies who mistake an anthill for Parnassus, may swell with new clation at the thought that Shakespeare is competing with them. But this unwonted fame may turn the true lover of Shakespeare to cynical thoughts and remind him of what Bismarck said when he was hissed by the populace of Berlin: "If I ever attain any degree of popularity, I shall know I have done something incredibly stupid."