The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1863-09-19
Lincoln as q Dramat-
ic Critic-..The Latest and
Greatest of Shakspere's Com

Greatest OF S0akSpore'6 COm-
mentatOrS. H.. =
Mr.. Lincoln's genius is wonderfully yer.
satile. No department Of human knowledge
seems to be unexplored by bim. He is
equally at home whether discussing divinity
with political preachers, debating plans OF
camp Iaigns with military heroes, illustrating
the Pops's buH against the comet to pleas
ure party from Chicago, arguing questions
of constitutional law with Valandighan
sympathizers, regulating political parties in
Missouri, defending his policy before party
conventions, or inditing lettersto the phil
losepher in chief of the Tribune academy -
In all these, and in the disposition of the
countless questions that have come up for
his decis on during the last two years and a
half, az he has displayed variety Of at
tainments, depth of knowledge, fund of
anecdote, q power of analysis and correct
ness of judgment that stamp him as the
most remarkable man of the age. 1t only
remained for him to clap the climax Of pop.
ular astonishment and admiration by show
ing himself to be dramatic critic Of the
first order, and the greatest and most pro
found of the army of Shaksperean commen
tators
And this he has now done The Falstaf
of our stage has been honored with an auto
graph letter from the American autocrat,
Just cs Shakspers himself was bonored with
an amisblo letter from King James the
First, ard which, we are told, "that mos,
learned prince and great patron of learning
was pleased with his own hand to write."-
We have obtained copy of the Presidents
letter, and deem it of sufficient interest and
importance to print 1t in this connection
1t reads as follows;
LETTER FROM PRESIDENT LINCOLN TO MR.
HAcKETT.
Executive MANSION,
WASHINGTON, Aua. II, 1863.
MY DEAR SIR:--Mon,hs ago / should
have acknowledged the receipt Of your
book and accompanying kind note, and ]
now have to beg your pardon for not having
done so.
For one of my age have seen very lit
tie of the drama. The first presentation Of
Fall,taf l ever saw was yours here last
winter or spring. Perhaps the best compl.
meut can pay is t. say, as truly can, ]
am very anxious to see ir again. Some Of
Shakspeare's plays have never read, willis,
others have gone over as frequently as any
nnprofossional reader. Among the latter
are "Leir;" "Richard Third" "Henry
Eighth" Hamlet" and especially "Mac-
BETH" | think none equals Macbeth" 1t
is wonderful. Unlike you gentlemen Of
, the profession, think the solilequy in
"Hamlet" commencing. 20, my offenss is
rank" surpasses that commencing "To be
or not to be- But pardon this small at.
tempt at criticism. should like to hear
you pronounce the opening speech OF
"Richard the Third"
Will you not soon visit Washington
again? If you do SO, please call and let me
make your personal acquaintance.
Yours, truly. A. LINCOLN.
JAMES H. HAcKET, Esq.
IfMr. Lincoln had had time TO dilate
upon the subject of bis letter and to ana
lyze the plays and passages to which he
part 'cularly refers, We would have had sr
article upon Shakespeare which would doubt
less have consigned to merited dust anc
oblivion the thousands Of tones that have
been printed on that subject, and wOule
have been accepted Is the standard author
ity henceforth. New editions of Shak
speare's plays, instead of having long pre-
face about what was thought and said
them by Bishop Warburton, DR.. johnson
Stevens, Malone, Ben Jonson Lord Shaftes
bury, Goldsmith, Goethe, Voltaire and 9th
ers, would simply contain Abraham Lin
coins commentary. Perhaps, after he re
tires to the shades of private life at Spring
field, he may devote few OF his lsisur
moments to this pleasing task. Goethe wa
struck with the act in the literary circle
of England the subject was Shaspeare und
keiae end<-aoshiag bot him, no end 2
Shakspesre. Mr. Lincoln's criticism wil
l preclude any such complaint in the future
/ That will finish ND the subject and thsr