The constitutional union., 1861-02-22
From The London Era. ORIGINAL STORY OF HAMLET.


 Florwendillus, King of Jutland, married Geruthra. Cor Gertrude), the only daughter of Buric, King of Denmark. The produce of this union was son called Amlettus When he grew toward manhood, his spirit and ex- traordinary abilities excited the envy and ha- tired of his uncle, who, before the birth of Amlettus, was regarded as presumptive heir to the throne Fengo, which was the name of this naughty prince, conceived passion for his sister-in-law, the Queen; and, meeting with reciprocal feelings, they soon arranged plan, which, putting into execution, he as- cended the throne of his brother, and espoused the widowed princess. Amlettus, Cor Ham, le0 suspectng his father had died by the hand or devices of his uncle, determined to be revenged; but perceiving the jealousy with which the usurper eyed his superior talents, and the better to conceal his hatred and in- tentions, he affected gradual Arrangement of reason, and, at last, acted all the extraya- gance of an absolute madman. Fengos guilt induced him to doubt the reality of malady so favorable to his security-and, suspicious of some direful project being hidden beneath as- sumed insanity, he tried by different strate gems to penetrate the truth. One of them was to draw him into confidential interview with young damsel, who had been the com, panion of his infancy, but Hamlet's sagacity and the timely caution of his intimate friend frustrated this design. In these two persons we may recognize the Ophelia and Horatio of Shakespeare; second plot was attended with equal want of success. It was concerted by Fengo that the Queen should take her son to | toct x,oiplxy Aoft ing himself that the Prince would not con. ceal his true state from the feelings ofa mother Shakespeare has adopted every part of this scene, not only the precise situation and cir cumstances but the sentiments, and sometimes the very words themselves.
 The Queens apartment was the appointed place of conference, where the King, to secure certain testimony, had previously ordered one of his courtiers to secrete himself under hear of straw. So says the historian and though Shakespeare, in unison with refinement of more modern times, changes that rustic covering for the Royal tapestry, yet 1t was even as Saxo Grammatticus relates it. In those primitive ages, straw, hay or rushes strewed on the floor were the usual carpets in the chambers of the great. One of our Henrys, in making pro gress to the north of England, previously sent forward courier to order clean straw at every house where he was to take his lodgings. But to return to the subject:
 The Prince, suspecting there might be ; concealed listener, and that it was the King pursued his wild and frantic acts, hoping that by some lucky chance, he might discover hi hiding place. Watchful of all that passed il the room, as he dashed from side to side, ht described little movement of the uneasy countier's covering Suddenly Hamlet sprung on his feet began to crow like cock, anC Tapping his arms against his sides, leapec upon the straw; feeling something under him he snatched out his sword and thrust it through the unfortunate lord. The barbarism of tht times is most shockingly displayed in the bru tai manner he treats the dead body; but, fol the honor of the Danish Price, we must sup pose it was not merely a wanton act, but done the more decidedly to convince the King when the strange situation of the corpse Wal seen, how absolutely he must be divested O reason. Being assured he was now alone witt his mother, in a most awful manner he turn: upon her, and avows his madness to be as sumed; he reproaches her with her wicked
 
 a mighty vengeance upon the instigator of hel crime.
 In the historian, we find that the admoni tions of Hamlet awakened the conscience ot the Queen, and recalled her to penitence anC virtue. The King, observing the change, be came doubly suspicious of the Prince; and bafflng some preliminary steps, he took tC vengeance. Hamlet was entrapped by hin into an embassy to England. He sent along with him two courtiers, who bore private let letters to the English monarch, requesting him, as the greatest favor he could confer or Denmark, to compass, by secret and sure means, the death of the Prince as soon as he landed. Hamlet, during the voyage, had reason to suspect the mission of his compan ions and, by a strategem, obtaining theil credentials, he found the treacherous mandate and, changing 1t for one where he had ordered the execution of the two lords, he quietly pro ceeded with them both. On landing, the pa pers were delivered, and the King, without further barley, oDeyed what he believed to be the request of his Royal ally; and thus did treason meet the punishment due to its crime
 The daughther of the King being charmed with the person and manners of the Foreign Prince, evnced such marks of tenderness that Hamlet could not but perceive the depth oi the conquest He was not insensble to her attractions and receiving the Kings assent in the course of few days, led her to the nup- tial altar. Amid all joys he was, however, like a pcrturbed ghost that could not rest and before many suns had risen and set, he obtained a hard-wrung leave from his bride, once more set sail, and appeared at Elsinore just in time to be witness of the splendid rites which Fengo (supposing him to be mur- dered) had prepared his funeral. On the pro- clamation of his arrival he was welcomed with enthusiasm by the people, whose idol he was, and who had been overwhelmed with grief when Fengo announced to them his sud- den death in England.
 The King, inhamed with so ruinous a dis appointment, and becoming doubly jealous of his growing popularity, now affected no con- ciliation, but openly manifested his hatred and hostility Hamlet again had recourse to his pretended madness, and committed so many alarming acts, that Fengo, fearing their direction, ordered his sword to be locked in its scabbard, under the plea of guarding the lunatic from personal harm. After various adventures the Prince accomplished the death