Javascript: check Textarea max length

gistfile1.js

$("textarea[maxlength]").keydown( function(e) {
    var key = e.which;  // backspace = 8, delete = 46, arrows = 37,38,39,40

    if ( ( key >= 37 && key <= 40 ) || key == 8 || key == 46 ) return;

    return $(this).val().length < $(this).attr( "maxlength" );
});