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» - By Ms. F. P. Fellows.
the deep affection which especially characterises the whole of his Intercourse with Horatiothat only friend amid an army of foes
, , that one anchor in the sea of trouble that surrounds the noble youth , wholike a goodly ship stored with most precious gifts to giadden
, mankind , is tossed tumultuouslyby an unforeseen storm , and wrecked in the sight of those who saw it launched in all its bravery at
morning tide . Throughout the drama Hamlet clings most touchingly to his
fellow-student , and the brotherly love with which he hangs upon him is finely contrasted with the quiet courtesy shown to the
menat-arms , and the bitter contempt evinced for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern , whose hollowness he so completely sounded .
Endless are the minute elaborations by which this consummate whom artist infuses he loving vitalit ly term y into s " the the stupendous Great Master image . ' We left would by the inst poet ance ,
-the fond reverence for his , dead father's portrait , the invocation to it as it wereas he pours out his breaking heart in the first soliloquy ;
, and the difference of action when , in the terrible closet-scene with his motherhe reverently lifts it from his breast , while he snatches
, the picture of Claudius from hers , and drawing the bitter comparison between the two brothersends by dashing to pieces the
, adulterer ' s portrait , so that she can never wear it on her heart again . Thenas the Queenrepentant , bowed down by shamestabbed to
, , , the soul by Hamlet's dagger-words , promises amendment , and "bitterly weeping moves slowly away , her son holds towards her his
father ' s picture , as a priest would a crucifix , that the last g * aze of the criminal may rest on that , and that alone .
Again , with what true artistic fervour does he repeat the lines on " the rugged Pyrrhus" until interrupted by the officious
, Polonius . With consummate dignity the Prince rebukes him ; but , annoyed at the interruptionspeaks no more aloudcontenting
himself with following , sotto voce , , the Player ' s speech , and , marking the emphasis with head and hand .
Another fine touch is his holding up the cross of his sword to Horatio—ere the play-scene begins—to remind him of his oath .
Then , with one farewell gaze of unutterable tenderness at Ophelia , Hamlet lies at her feet couchant like a tigerhis eyeslurid beneath
his tawny brow , _Ox . ed on the guilty king . , , In the last scene of all , with what sovereign courtesy does the
Prince take Laertes' hand , and before the whole assemblage demand his pardon for having unwittingly wronged him . With
infinite grace and dexterity Hamlet poises himself for the combat , and when the treacherous stab is dealt , and he avenges it on
Laertes , his instant repentance of the deed and hearty forgiveness of his perfidious foe , and the abiding love with which , turning from _,
the " waterfiy " Osric , he sinks into the arms of Horatio , are all in keeping with the noble and chivalrous personation of the _chai'acter
