The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-02-14
From the London Era.l
ORIGINAL STORY OF HAMLET.

flor"enuluus, King OF Jutland, married Ge-
ruthra, (or Gertrude the only daughter of Ruric
King OF Denmark. The produce of this union
was son called Amettus. When he grew to
ward manhood, his spirit and extraordinary abili-
ties excited the envy and hatred of his uncle, who
before the birth of Amlettus, was regarded as pre-
sumptive heir to the throne. Fengo, which was
the name of this naughty prince, conceived a pas.
sion for his sster-in.law, the Queen; and meeting
with reciprocal feelings, they arranged plan,
winch, putting into execution, he assembled the
throne OF his brother, and espouscd the widowed
princess. Amettrs, Tor Hamlet,) suspecting
his father had died by the hand or devices Of
ms uncle, determined to be revenged; but, per-
celVlng the jealousy with which the usurper
eyed his superior talents, and the better to con-
ceai his hatred and intentions, he affected a grad
uai arrangement OF reason, and, at last, acted all
inc extrayagance OF an absolute mailman. Fem
COS guilt induced him to doubt the reality of a
malady so favorable to his security-and suspi-
cious of some direful project being hidden beneath
assumed insanity, he tried by different stratapems
TO penetrate the truth. One of them was to draw
him into confidential interview with Young
damsel, who had been the companion of his infan-
cy, out Hamlets sagacity and the timely caution
OF his Intimate friend frustrated this design. In
these two persons we may recognize the Ophelia
and Horatlo Of Shakespeare second plot was at
tended with equal want of success. 1t was concert
ed by FengO that the Queen should take her son to
task IN a private conversation, vainlv fiatterng
himself that the Prince would not conceal his true
state from the feelings of a mother. Shakespeare
has adopted every part of this scene. not ONLY the
precise situation and circumstances but the senti
ments, and sometimes the very words themselves
Inc Queens apartment was the appointed place
OF conference, where the King, to secure certain
testimony, had previously ordered one of his cour-
tiers tc secrete himself under heap of straw So
says the historian; and though Shakespeare in uni
son with refinement of more modern times chances
that rustic covering for the Royal tapestry vet it
| was even as Saxo- examinations relates it. In
those primitive ages, straw, hay ruShes streyed
on the moor, were the usual carpets in the cham
| O Ono IF :.
progress to the north of England, previously sent
forward courher to order clean straw at every
house where he was to take his lodgings. But, to
| return to the subject:
! The Prince, suspectng there might be conceal.
ed listener, and that it was the King, pursued his
wild and frantic acts, hoping that, by some lucky
chance, he might discover his hiding-place-
atchfu of all that passed in the room as he dash
ed from side to eide. he deserted little movement
of the uneasy courtier's covering. Suddenly Ham
let sprung on his feet, began to crow like cock,
and Mapping his against his sides leaned
upon the straw feeling something under him, he
snatched out his sword and thrust it through the
unfortunate lord. The barbarism of the times is
mos: shocklngly displayed in the brutal manner he
treats the dead body; but for the honor of the
DANISH Prince, we must suppose it was not merely
a Wanton act, but done the more decidedly to con-
vince the King, when the strange situation of the
corpse was seen, how absolutely he must be divest-
ed OF reason. Being assured he was now alone
with his mother, in most awful manner he turns
upon her, and avows his madness to be assumed he
reproaches her with her wicked deeds and incestr
Gus marriage, and threatens a mighty vengeance
upon the instigator of her crime.
In the historian, we find that the admonitions of
hamlet awakened the conscience of the Queen and
called her to penitence and virtue. The King OBJ
serving the change, became doubly suspicious of
| the frlnce and, battling some preliminary stems
ne took to vengeance. Hamlet was entrapped by
MIN into an embassy to England He sent along
with him two courtiers, who bore private letters
TO the English monarch, requesting him, as the
hn
compass, by secret and by sure means the death
OF the Prince as soon as he landed Hamlet dur
ing the voyage, had reason to suspect the mission
OF MS companions; and by a stratagem obtaining
their credentials, he found the treacherous man
GATE, and, changing it for where he had or
dered the execution of the two lords, he quietly
proceeded with them. On landing the papers
were delivered, and the King, without further par
ley, obeyed what he believed to be the request of
his royal ally; and thus did treason meet the nun.
| lshment due to its crime F
The daughter Of the King being charmed with
the person and manners of the foreign Prince,
eVlnced such marks of tenderness that Hamlet
could not but perceive the depth of the conquest
lie was not insensible to her attractions and re-
celvlng the Kings assent in the course of a few
days, led her to the nuptial altar. Amid all lows
ne was however, like perturbed ghost that could
not rest; and before many suns had risen and set
ne obtained a hardwrung leave from his bride
once more set sail, and appeared at Elsnore lust in
Time TO be witness of the splendid rites which
| N"SH .\SuPPOaihR ulul W Ue muruereQ) had pre-
pared for his funeral. On the proclamation of his
| arrival, he was welcomed with enthusiasm bv the
people, whose idol he was, and who had been over
whelmed with grief when Fengo announced 70
them his sudden death in England.
Inc hlng infamed with so ruinous disappoip+-
ment, and becoming doubly jealous of his GROWING
popularity, now affected no Cancellation but onenIv
manifested his hatred and hostility Hamlet AGAIN
had recourse to his pretended madness and com
mltted so many alarming acts, that Fengo. FEARING
their direction, ordered his sword to be locked in
Its scabbard, under the plea of guarding the unatic
from personal harm. After various adventures
the Prlnce accomplished the death of his uncIe's
adherents and vengeance on the fratricide himself
ny setting hre to the palace during the debauch of
Midnight banquet Rushing in amid the flames,
ne Kills fengo with his own hands, reproaching
MIN at the moment with his murder adultery and
incest. Immediately on the act of retribution he
was proclaimed lawful successor to the throne and
crowned with all due solemnity
Thus far Shakespeare treads in the stems Of the
annalis The only difference is in the fate of the
hero; in the one he finds kingdom in the other a
grave. Saxo-Grammaticus carries the history
iurther; and, after the browning of Hamlet as kinG
orlngs him again into Britain; where in commit
ment TO that land of beauty, he marries second
wife, the daughter of Scottish king Hamlet
brought both his wives back to Denmark and pre-
pared for long life of prosperity and peace. But
tne sword hung over his head; war burst around
MIN, and he fell in combat by the hand of VICE
totes, son OF Ruric Saxo-Grammaticus sums up
his character in few words: CHE was wise nrince
ana great warrior" Like Achilles, he had the
principal actions of his life wrought On his shield
The daughter of the King of Scotland, castinc her
eye on it, loved him for the battles he had won, and
became his BRIDE ' ~