Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-03-24
SCOTT,S SCOTLAND.

We have glanced with much delight, over tho
pages 1T this labor of the wizard of the North.
The rapidlty with which this giant genius achieves
the exquisite bit that it is all done
before eyes uad Under the closest inspection of
senses, might almost be questioned. We
fy Passe W. onr Sensations OF peasure-certainiy not
IN our simir n; ion--ere he has wrought Us mp idio
new ccs,ocle and bound again til, magic OF his
wizard circle. This History, which hc has Just put
;orth, has all the warmth aud much OF the lneres oil
his romances-all the force oil his individual pictures
with general adherence TO ilc truth of history. In
the perusai we are am ,st much fascinated, as by
the continuous interest of particular story, aud
knowledge with wonder the greatness of that mind
which color the sober detail OF TRUTH with the
wtchery and lovclincss of fiction.
We select the following interesting passage from
Walter Scott History OF Scotland To those who
have been long familiar with the beautiful Legendary
play of Shakespeare upon the Same subject, it Will be
difficult to reconcile the present account, with that
which has upon them as an assured history from
buyhood up 1t viii be difficult for him 10 believe
that Macbeth was not iyrdnt-that hc did not vio-
late the laws of hospitality. and that he was tac,
wise and equitable monarch. We may recoilect
too, that Shakespeare, in order increase the Mora
effect, and as retributive consequence Of guilt,
represents the marriage bed of Macbeth as barren
VIC remember
'Eor Bauquo's ISSUE had he filed his mind
and are somewhat surprised find TINT he elt son,
nstned Lmdch, or the simple, who made short strug
Gle against the conqueror of his father, but de-
fcnted md slam.
"Malcolm died peaccably in 1858, and was sue
cccdrd by The gracious Duncan" the same who
fell by the poinard Of Macbeth. On reading these
names, every reader must feel If brought from
darkness into the blaze of noon day; Enar are we
with the personages whom we last named, and so
clearly and distinctly recall the events in which
they are Interested, IN comparison with any doubtful
and misty views which form of the twilight
times before and after that fortunate period But we
must not be blinded by poe,ical enthusiasm nor
ctd moro than due Importance 10 legends, because
they have been woven into the striking tale Of
ambition and renrrse that struck awe into
human Bosom. The genius of Shakespeare having
found tho tale OF Macbeth III the Scottish Chronicles
Of Io!inshcd, adorned il with ustrc similar 10 that
with which level beam OF the Sun of ell invests
some fragment of glass which, though shining at q
distance with the lGstre OF diamond. is by a near
investigation dscoyced to be Of no worth or enlu-
slasm.
Duncan, by his mother Beatrice n grandson of
Malcolm III, succeeded to the throne on his grand
iilhers death III 1893: he regned only six years
Macbeth his near relation also grundchild OF Nal.
colin H. though by the mothers side was stirred up
by ambition TO contest the throne with the possesor
Tho lady OF Macbeth a!so whose real name was
Graoch, had deadly injuries apenge on the reign
ing prince. She was the granddaughter of Kenneth
~, killed in 1908, fighting against Malcolm III; and
other causes for revenge animated the mind of her
who has been since painted as one of the sternest Of
women. The old annasts add some institutions og
supernatural KIND TO the influence of vndictve
woman over an ambitious husband. Three women
OF more than human stature and beauty appeared ia
Macbeth IN dream vision and hailed him success.
sNey by the title of thane of Cromartv, ,hane OF
Moray, which the king afterwards bestowed ON him,
and finally by that of king of Scots: this dream i, is
said, inspired him with the seductive hopes so well
expressed in the drama.
Macbeth broke no law of hospitality iii his utemp,s
at DuGcans life. He attacked and slew the KING n,
place called Botbgowan, or the Smiths House. nea,
fIgn, IN 1882 and not as has been supposed in hi,
own castle of Inverness. The act was bloody. a.
was the complexion Of the times; but IN very trub
tho claim of Macbeth to the throne accordug TO the
rule OF Scottish succession, better than that OF
Duncan AS king, the tyrant so much exclaimed
against was, in reality, firm, Just, and equitable
prince.
Apprchensions OF danger from n party which NAL
coim the eldest son of the slaughtered Duncan had
set on foot IN Northumberland, and still maintained
IN Scotland, SEEM process time to have secured
the temper of Macbeth, and rendered him formidable
to his nobility. Against Macduff, in.particular the
powerful naormor Of Fife, he had uttered some
threats which cccasoned that chief to fy from the
court of Scotland. Urged by this new counsellor
Seward, the Danish earl Of Northumberland invaded
Scotland in the year 1854, displaying his banner in
behalf of the banshed Malcolm. Macbeth engsoad
the foe in the neighborhood of his celebrated castle
of Dunsinane. He was defeated, but escaped from
the battle, md was slain at Lomphananco in 1866.