, 1864-10-20

NeadfDG8 from Hamlet Last ETenlng
Before tho 4. n. Ansocluttou.

Before tho 4. n. Assocluttou.
Last evening Mr. Murdoch terminated the pres.
ent series Of readings before the Young Mems A.
eociatiou. In B3an Hall; which was well filled by
highly appseca.ttve audience.
Bis subject was 'uamlet" As an Introduction
to the play, or rather a preparation therefor, he
gave what he cousidertd to be the leading charac
tc1Istic OF the Young Prince, supporting
his view By numerous quota Ions from
thst and other sh,kespera.n plays. Though
etor, 1t was comprehensive anal5 sis of the men,
toltty which the Bard had Ia hta - 1n1nd'a eye
promiuept trait was defined to be ..irreso'psion"
the pnlpoPe TO do, without the will TO act. ia.
Sing tbs as the keynote OF the theme, be khowed
the expression of ,he tdea. AID how well the char.
actef had BEEN wrought ont ~ the maser hand OF
the author. Viewed IN :nis light, hs hed that the
tty. that which ie essential 10 grandeur Of conecp-
zion srd expression. To Eene1aaize: the Shlkes-
s tsa p s
obscrrtd By the pcndsrous dissertations OF would
be txQounders,
with ,re eject rome Of the most proosinens pas.
cages IN rs coErse, in manner Which sho Ted hfa
own thorough appreciation Of the work; aud bis
ursnrpsfsanlc ability to ernbody it In living form
To enter into detail would be impossible, We vail
not therefore attempt to recount the paseases re-
cited Suffice It to aey that they we're all living,
Il il 70 Uncommon thing to hesr intelligent per.
sons say, after having lletened to a stage etar's
version OF this and other chasaeterr that be could
have enjoEea the play better at homo. We thInk
uone would venture to ray that after listening to
Murdoch. he gives ide1s never before met WITH:
bis reading of q passage declares meanings pre-
yfonfly unknown, fitness TIL then uno1eamed Of.
One SECS NOT Murdoch but the chsrscter: the H.
ovidGality OF the speaker il lost in that ofthe be-
Ing persopated. There be stands before Jon, e1-
pressing nie joTe, hlt sotrone, hopes and me1ita-
lions: your attention Is encha'ned. your eympa-
thy eD1is:ed sou btcome plupfrfect Witnesses III
ion becomes tremendous. living resllty.
'Twe1e folly TO attempt criticism Of Murdoch.
Like the author himself, whose conceptions he 80
trnttfaIly embodiss, he Is beJoud, aaove tbs pale
him ~ Murdoch has, should hare the right 10
su al OF imPetfvetion. There are points in the
delivery where the reading ia 80 remarkably DIFF
ferent 10 that we ourselves hare used, as to auS
feeling OF ureaefness Is never induced, aud IN
nearly eyery case the subeeQuent sentence pas
esee supplies the commentaly AID shows hsr-
! mon, Of design. which Ne before had nut thought
to exist. Murdoch shows that every line. every
| ucr1 .s replete with mcaIine: pot BY tr.tnr to
rant ont murder from every "ano" or 1t" but
hy thst exquisite subosdsuattou ot eeusences
tuAl ucceR.ity Of the ieast important TO The per-
fcion OF the whole, as the finger 1s1s are neces-
ssry 10 tie to:aiity of tie bumsn frame, though
! man may we'll continue to exist vi, ,hont Them:
The audience Of last evening showed it, high
appreciation Of the genius Of the reader by frc.
| onent and htarty applause.
The Pneidtnt Of the Association announced
thst Mr. Murdoch would. Previous to ieas1ag Cui-
csco c1ye ,wo rsaoines for the benefit Of ths San
| tiary Commission, and-We beheye-the Soldier $
Home By his noble, active patriotism. NOT less
than by his genius, he has 3osg stpce sau:d hl.n
Association has DOPE well in securing his service.
c1 the pfeee1t occasion.