New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-11-13
who Macbeth Was.

We have often been vexed with Misrepresentation
of individuals that once figured in the arena of ac
ton. Walter, the tyler, still passes for traitor
Jack Cade for an ignorant npstart Richard HI for
Crookbaeked, malignant usurpeT. The historian,
like the poetaureate, only wrote to please poDtifs
kings and n0blemen Shakespeare often in his dra-
matte representations mutiiated facts and perverted
historical verify till we need another Niebuhr to
amend the British annals.
Who has not learned to regard Macbeth of Scot.
land bloody uSurper, stained with the crimes of
treason and despotism and his lady as an unseyed
Amazon, who lived only to libel the character of
w0manhoOd2 To be sure, she was ambitious, firm
in resolve, selfreant and persistent to the end-all
true wOmanly characteristics. The author cannot
consent to blend so many real virtues in one female
nature, but he must permeate them through and
through with the fOulest crime. Indeed, except in
his Porta in the Merchant OF Venice he has pre-
scented us few women who can win our love, secured
our Veneration, and preserve the regard they have
ELECTED
AncientScotand had been divided into three parts
the Earldom of Orkney, which embraced all the
north the kingdom Of the Dalraids or Scots proper
a race OF Irish adventures 10 Galloway and the
Principates of the Picts. In the ninth century the
latter seem to have disappeared The name of SEQ
tia, formerly belonging to Ireland only, was in the
eleventh century, imposed upon all North Britain
and the Celtic rule was eventually extended through
the mountainous regions, Graduating that Of the
Northmen who often sought to regain their lost ter
ritOries. But a strong Gothic element prevailed il
leik, Scotland iarl, who ruled there in the year
$50. Torlmus mentions him as a Count of Scotland.
He was evidently powerful like the Dougasses OF
future times. The annals of Ulster speak Of him
"a. D. 1920, Finleik, son of Rarie Prince of Alban,
was slain by his people, He was probably usurper
Historians say that he married a daughter of NAL
colin II, the last monarch of the line of Alpin Mac
beth, or Machetad was his son. At that time the
kingdom was torn by intestine strife
In 965, Odo, the reigning monarch, was slain by
Calum, who succeeded to his scepter
Eighteen years after, Kenneth Grim, son of Odo,
called also Maedut, attained sovereign dignity. He
was put to death by Malcolm II, seven years after
ward, and Bonde his son, was executed by order of
the same monarch leaving behind him son and
daughter The latter was Gruoch, now known as
Lady Macbeth. Malcolm reigned thirty years. The
affairs of his Government were administered by
Crinan, Abbott of Dukeld and Archbishop of Scot
land and Ireland, powerful churchman, who mar
ried Bethoo or Beatrice, the monarehs daughter.
The against eccessasties marrying had not vet
been promulgated in Scotland, and even in Ireland
the Archbishops OF Armagh had succeeded heredi-
tarily for fifteen generations. The issue Of this ALI
anee was Duncan, who succeeded his grandfather in
1881 In order to confirm the real dignity in his own
family, the prelate Crinan, had induced Malcolm to
put BOhde, the heir Of Kenneth, to DEATH and to
give Gruoch, daughter of the murdered prince and
widow of kilcomgain, in marriage to Duncan But
the plans of the ambitious churchman did not realize
immediate prosperity. Duncan /" bore his houors
meekly )" he did not possess the wariike character
demanded by the restless Scots, His claim to the
succession not well established, and the mobiles
began to cast about them for chiettan sufficiently
powerful to crcumvent the primate OF Scotland.
| Macbeth was the man whom they selected The &C.
casion for the revolution was afforded soon after. In
| 1885, SAYS Simeon, of Durham, Duncan besieged
| Durham without success, and returning home, was
| slain by bis people short time after aor, as the
/ 1t