Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-01-11
The story of Hamlet-A New Version
From the New York MALL


Ia view of the forthcoming revival of
Hamlet" with Edwin Booth in his
grand part, we think that the following
original story" of the melancholy Dane
may be found interesting to our readers,
although those of the fairer sex may feel
somewhat distressed at the romantic
Hamlet not only living, but bearing with
him back 10 Denmark such stubborn
facts as two wires. The chronicer is
/ responsible for this unromsntic state
ment, not we. We prefer Shskespeare's
version to this, which is from the Latin
of Saxo Grammaticus: sNt
| Florwendillus, King of Jutlsnd, mar
ried Geruthra Tor Gertrude), the only
daughter of Ruric, King of Denmark.
| The produce of the union was son
called Amlettus. When he grew to man
hood, his spirit and extraordinary abili-
ties excited the envy and hatred 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-lsw, the Queen; and,
meeting with reciprocal feelings, they
soon arranged plan, which, putting
into execution, be assembled the throne
of his brother, and espoused the widowed
princess. Amlettus (or Hamlet), sus-
pecting bis 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 intentions, he affected q
gradual derangement of reason, and, at
last, acted ell the extravaganza of an ab-
solutely madman.
Fengo's guilt induced hm to doubt the
reality of q malsdy so favorable to his se-
| curity, and, suspicious of some direful
project being hidden beneath assumed
insanity, he tried by different stratagems
to peHetrate the truth One Of them was
to draw him into confidential interview
with young damsel, who had been the
companion of his infancy; bat Hsmlet's
sRgacity and timely caution of his init
mate friend frustrated this desigp. In
these two persons we may recognizs the
Ophelia and Horatib of Shakespeare.
A second plot was attended with equal
want Of success. 1t was concerted by
Fengo that the Queen should take her
son to task in private conversation,
vsinly Asttering himself that the Prince
would not conceal his true state from the
feelings of mother. Shakespeare has
adopted every part of this scene, D OF only
the precise situation and circumstances,
but the sentiments, and sometimes the
very words themselves.
The Qaeen's apartment was the sp-
pointed place of conference, where the
King, to secure certain testimo ny, had
previously ordered one of his courtiers
to secure himself under pile ef straw.
So says the historian and though
Shakespeare, in unison with refinement
of more modern times, changes that rus
tic covering for the royal tspestl y, yet it
was even as Ssxon-G inflammation relates
it. In those primitive ages str sw, hay,
or rushes, strewed on the floor. were the
usual carpets in the chambers of the
great. One of our Henrys. in Iasking
progress to the north of England, pre-.
yiously sent forward courier TO order
clean straw at every house wheI he was
to take his lodgings. But, to return to.
the subject:
The Prince, suspecting there might be
a concealed 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. Watch
| ful of all that passed in the room, as he
lsshed from side to side, he deserted a
| little movement of the uneasy courtiers
covering. Suddenly Hamlet sprung on
his feet, began to crow like cock, and
tapping his arms against his sides,
.esped upon the straw feeling, some
thing under him, he snstched out his
sword and thrust it through the nnfortu-
nate lord. The bsrbarism of the times
is most shockingly displayed in the
brutal manner in which he treats the
| dead body; but for the honor of the
| Danish Prince, we must suppose it was
not merely wanton act, but done the
more decidedly to convince the King,
when the strange situation of the corpse
was seen, how absolutely he must be
| divested Of reason. Being assured that
be was now alone with his mother, in o
most awful manner he turns upon her
and avows his madness to. be assumed
he reproaches her with her wicked deeds
and incestuous marriage, and threatens
a terrible and q mighty vengeance upon
the iustigator Of her crime.
In the historian we find that the sdmo.
nitions of Hamlet awakened the con-
science Of the Queen, and recalled her TO
penitence and virtue. The King, nbserv-
ing the change, became doubly jealous
Of the Prince; aud battling some pre-
liminary steps, he took to vengeance.
Hamlet was eutrspped BY him into an
embassy to England. he sent along
with him two cnursiers who bore private
letters to the Eaglish monarch, request
ing him, as the Creates favor be conld
confer on Denmark, to compass By strict
end BY secret aud sure means, the death
Of the Prince as soon as be landed.
Hamlet, during the voyage, had reason
TO suspect the mission of bis companions,
and by q stratagem obtaining their ere
deniials, be found the trebeherous man
date, and. charging it for one where be
had ordered the execution of the two
lords, be quietly proceeded with them
] both. Oa landing the papers were de-