The Sun.
London, England, 1822-08-13 00:00:00

SHAKSPEARE AND DRAMATIC POETRY.

The following is the introduction to a critique
in the Journal des Debuts, to a work on Shaks-
peare and Dramatic Poetry, by M. GUIZOT :
" Classical literature has been for a long time sick ; it is so,
because every thing in this world has its end ;—it is so, be-
cause, after having attained its intellectual zenith, it only re-
mains for it to descend. But let none mistake the nature of
the illness which consumes it. Far from sinking under the
attacks of the barbarians who make war against it, it per-
haps owes to their awkward assaults the remaining vigour
which iumanifests ; who knows even, whether this persecution
is not salutary, and likely to restore it to second life ? Its
enemies are innumerable; I know it, for the conditions ne-
cessary for admission into the ranks of the Romantic School
are not difficult to be fulfilled. It i 3 quite sufficient to he
destitute of taste, not to have gone through any study, and to
misunderstand all rules and all principles. It is impossible
to suppose, that in this enlightened age there is not to be
found a great number of persons gifted with those precious
qualities. Minds of this description are most happily formed for
the appreciation of Romantic Beauties. A Poet misrepresents
historic facts, and misunderstands the manners of nations:—
What matters it to us that he does so ? 110 we go to the
Theatre in order to pursue a course of history ? A poet men-
tions the arrival of vessels in Bohemia; there were, perhaps, sea-
ports in Bohemia at that period ; he places hordes of savages
close to the town of Genoa ; well ! perhaps the Hurons and the
Illinois at one time inhabited the neighbourhood of Savona and
Albenga. We are shewn an infant hero, in the first act, who
in the last wears a beard; and why not? Why should
not a romantic tragedy be a romance in dialogue ? In or-
der to amuse the spectator you must present a variety of
scenes to him. Long live then the illustrious Shakspeare,
who, like the Neptune of Homer, only makes three steps
in passing from the extremity of Thrace to the plain
of Illion ! Long live, above all, the admirable Goethe,
who in his Goetz de Bertichingen changes the scene
fifty-six times! Fifty-six decorations and changes of scenery
in the course of a single tragedy. 'What fecundity !—come
and compare_ with him your Racine, who chews us always the
same walls ! It is necessary that, in dramatic pieces, there
should be changes of movement. Well ! In our chefs d'oeuvre
Are they perceived remaining two minutes
Ossianic Romances, do not the heroes continually move their
If you wish to feel interest—l mean that
hands and legs ?
racking interest, which causes such de-
that itigineasazasupfrlaocceati?ng,,
and who afterwards comes to feel and
licious sensations, contemplate that husband who murders his
wife in the nuptial bed,
ascertain if she is entirely dead. Observe this ; enjoy it fully,
and then expire with pleasure.--(Journal des Dekts, Aug. 9.)

THE MARQUIS OF LONDONDERRY.

One of the Papers of this morning, which has
been long distinguished by the virulence and
rancour of its opposition to the measures of Mi-
nisters, and of the great Statesman who has been
so suddenly snatched from the Councils of his
Country, has said, in now eulogizing that very
name which its columns have been so often em-
ployed to revile, " IN HIS WINDING SHEET WE
ARE BOUND TO DO HIM JUSTICE." All parties,
indeed, have already united in honouring,
with the just meed of praise, those excel-
lencies of character by which the Noble
Marquis was so eminently distinguished. In
proof of this, we have selected from the Morn-
ing Papers the first expressions of regret and
admiration which have burst from them on
1 this unexpected and melancholy occasion, from
which an impartial estimate may be formed of
the character of the Noble Marquis, and of the
extent and importance of his services to the Bri-
tish Empire and to the Civilized World. It will
'be seen that the eulogies of his Political Friends
are fully sustained by the admissions of his Poli-
tical Opponents, and by the admiration which
even they have at length expressed of his many
estimable qualities as a man, and of his eminent
talents as a Parliamentary Leader, and profound
sagacity as a Statesman. The selection forms a
valuable and interesting record of the genuine
feelings of respect entertained towards Lord
LoNnosocitay by his contemporaries, and ex-
pressed by them when the political motives which

ime.

induced some of them to thwart his public mea-
sures, and to assail his character and his reputa-
tion, have been terminated by death. It pre-
sents an anticipation of the impartial judgment of
posterity ; and is equally honourable to the me-
mory of the Noble Marquis, and to that portion of
the writers for the public Press, who have thus
shown that the heat of their political hostility
was not embittered by personal rancour, and
that they themselves are incapable of dishonour-
ing their party, by withholding the tribute of
deserved applause from the illustrious dead. The
true cause of the death of the Noble Mar-
quis is not yet accurately known. There have
been some rumours of the most afflicting kind,
which from all the information we have as
yet been able to obtain, we are inclined
to hope and believe are utterly destitute
of foundation, but which, notwithstanding, we
cannot positively contradict.—lt is certain that
he became unwell on Thursday evening ; but
not so seriously as to prevent him from transact-
ing business at the Foreign Office on Friday. It
is not true, as has been asserted, that he accom-
panied his MAJESTY on Saturday to Greenwich.
On the contrary, though he did business in the
morning of that day at his residence, he was
too unwell to join a party of his friends at dinner.
The 'prevailing statements as to the cause of
his dissolution, are, that it was occasioned
by an attack of gout in the stomach,
by an inflammation of the intestines, which
speedily terminated in mortification, and by
too great a determination of blood to the head.
We shall probably have correct information be-
fore our Paper is put to press ; and shall not lose

a moment in communicating the melancholy Par'
ticulars to our Readers. Whatever shall prove t°
be the truth, it is too obvious that the Noble liar,
-:uis has fallen a victim to the cares and arduous,
duties of his station. We have before us a letter:
from an lion. Member, who has occupied a seat
in the House of Commons for 3o years, irt which
he expresses his wish to have some repose afteroo°
of the most fatiguing Sessions- of his Parliamentarl
life. How great and harassing, then, must hays
been the fatigues of the Noble Marquis, on Avhc°
the weight of Parliamentary business chiefil
pressed, in addition to the duties of the Foreign
Office, and to the anxieties occasioned by the
collisions of parties, the distresses of the Agricul'
turai Interest of the Empire, anti the might''
interests which required the exercise of 31,
his mental energies, in preparing for the Part
which he was intended to sustain at the JP'
proaching Congress I—His loss, at this reri9j'
to his country and to the world, ij great,—Per
haps irreparable I—it is impossible to describe'.
the anguish of the Marchioness. She rushed t°
the body of her Lord, clung to it in sPlte
of all resistance, and was not separated witboat
great difficulty froth the beloved remains.—%
understand that she has continued almost in
state of delirium ever since. Most fort
nately, the sister of the Marchionesss, Lad/
SurFtEr.n, was on a visit -to the family at try'
Her services at this moment of Ofilicda
Lion are invaluable, and most sincerely
dor'
we hope that they may be effectual in re- I,
ing peace to her sister's mind. But thwige
r
all the soothing aid of female attentions. ef
o
at hand, we understand that the' heart
the Marchioness seemed inaccessible to.the co'f,
?
solations of the friends that surround her.

chiclj
In consequence of the various rumours
have been in circulation respecting the °l
ir.
diate cause of the lamented demise of the r
guess of LONDONDERRY, we conceived it °:,
duty to the Public, and respect for the -for
parted Nobleman rendered it necessari ter
us to make a personal inquiry in a guar-,
where the truth could be ascertained, anci
feel deep regret in stating, that a deliriu:n to
totally deprived him of reason, induced hiril
so
Commit the act of self-destruction. He n'adeelf
deep an incision in his throat, as inunediaAtibe
deprived him of life. He was able to atter'', 50
Foreign Office on Friday morning, and eve'pie
early in the day as at noon he displayed s°llea
symptoms of approaching insanity. - Ile nsc
about that time at the British :Coffee."°:
o ,r)
Cockspur-street, and inquired for Sir FJP"-e.
NAGLE. On being informed by time Pr°.Frilf
tor, Mr. ELEMENT, who was accitkrit 1,i5
standing at the door, that he was not there' 00
Lordship, with much emotion, struck his t'ae of
re
together, and very sharply desired that Se- „a
hewo
the other waiters should be called, by whoa" -
t h
again assured that Sir E. NAGLE was 0" ther"e
hie walked away much agitated. Lo or,
or-
conduct appeared very singular and escited.Pd $
VIP
titular attention in the street.—Never .fste
Nobleman more esteemed and beloved in Prolior
life, or more kind and courteous in officiare°3l:c the
went. As a proof of the impression made Up the
mildness, courtesy, and benignity of I'i,r3ll„,eo
not the humblest messenger at the Gaver"tioll'
offices can mention him without evideot oh
°
Thus has fallen a victim to the agitatieus
tpolle
tical warfare, and the fatigues of official d:ubtetiect
of the most amiable Noblemen and enlig
Ministers that ever adorned this Collutri.

,ete"

THE KlNG.—Yesterday morning, one
seven and eight o'clock, Mr. T009°14"0
Itsl.liethiileitNteGr'ss If3rroimvatteheMleistsNeGn:e&rsc',., arrived'
in
I)°ftl
the Royal yacht, four o'clock, 01d:Stneildcl:;Ifitie;
noon, nearly off Yarmouth.—On Sundit/hr:colaieli
at ten o'clock, the Royal Squadron Os I— vac"
off Harwich. His MAJESTY was then °a, Deing
the frigate. The Royal Georg' iaot: 'Pe re:
towed by a steam vessel (the C sore'
'ao.- ,
mainder of the Royal Squadron was 7 ii;1111—A
miles astern.—The Kingston Paclot pissevf
for London, with a number Of passenger 'ct vielf °
so near the vessel as to have a dirt►naers
his MAJESTY'S person. The Passen' refuelrae",
three hearty cheers, which the 0:
t"rii"
by taking offand repeatedly waving o d be.s-
111
cap. His MAJESTY appeared i" Prot
and high spirits.—His joTy has P
ere this reached Edinburgh. • tar
OISS
We have received the Paris Jottrna-5
# Off o" of
e
day, Brussels Papers to the 9th in 'E'
schiev
frolll
ous German -Papers to the au,
010
give extracts in our preceding Co`
stan# on tof
reported at Augsburg on the Ist ntri
" e
authority of letters from Odessa, Uthate nes
e A
R us insubordinationßussian
roos nhathde seel:c;000 ft°'
Parnuitifie.Lteldtiets