The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-23
HAMLET.

George MacDonald's Farewell Lecture
Last Night-A Warm Reception and an
Anccting 0oodby. eT nt T#a1
large and intelligent audience assembled In
Association Hall last evening to hear George Mac.
Donald's farewell lecture on Hamlet.n The follow.
ing gentlemen occupied seats on the platform -
william G. Bryant, DR.. Henry w. Bellows, Dr.. J. G.
Holland, Messrs. Watson, Glider, James O'Mnrry
Charles 8. Robinson, w. II. Ward, N. H. Schenck,
G. II. Putnam. Roosevelt Smith, Abraham Coles, w.
M. Taylor, J. NJ Morrison, d. NJ Crevar, R. R. Bow.
kerr r. L. Laremore. large number OF the lee
turer's distinguished friends and admirers were
detained by the inclemency Of the evening. Mr..
william Cullen Bryant presided and introduced the
lecturer the audience In BRIEF but appropriate
and complimentary speech
oDed his IN
happy and touching style, TO which the move Of
every muscle In his pensive and intelligent face
instantaneousIy 3 sudden outburst Of applause.
He then explained the plot Of the marvellous play;
STUDY; took up the dinsrent scts, one BY one, and
placed me whsle picture beautifully before the
solved insenon in producne Hs
let" and gave 1t In few striking words "a man
may smile and smile and be villain" The next
acter and the poet-noyeust did u admir-
ably. During the whole Lecture he ,,, never
but when sSsispeare made mad point he never
''cackled, after 1t. He de ended the character OF
Hamlet from accusations attributed to him OF mad.
ness inactivity and want OF will, and proved that
he had all the various contrary qualities from tho
GsySs RT sssrs %sGs Aassd 6
his mother; Els dstrust In Ophes lest she too may
be deceitfui his numerous dialogues with Polonius,
Claudus and H0rati0; all these he analysed 30 Ad,
mirably that one who never read 'HaInletu could
almost know him thoroughly and vouch for the
reasons OF ls reckless and terrifying node Of act
M Her4 also, especially when plcturing 0phelia's
character, he showed his deep knowledge OF moral
character, and proved his own conception Of the
thousand wayward feelings Of the human heart,
and particularly the weakness and feeble attempts
OF women In trying to be sincere. "Why didnc
Ophelia speak out her mtndr' but II she did
shakespeare probably could not write the play.
The best Of II was, however, she finally went mad.
His Interpretation OF the soll0quy, ITO be or not
to be, &c., was very novel, and worthy OF note by
students OF the great dramatist. Mr.. Macdonald
nloquy OF Hamlet contemplating suicide, hut OF
Hamlet contemplating the death or the King,n aud
proved this nom the various applications Of the
most appropriate lines. In this explanation he
elected continued outbursts OF applause.
After concluding the Rev. DR.. Bellows MADE the
valedictory address In touching words, which all
the audience felt and responded TO by clapping OF
hands ana waving OF handkerchiefs. Mr.. George
Macdonald then spoke to Oil his last sgo0dhy."
He knew what IL meant and he felt It's force. He
would return again, and the words which In the
meantime should be interchAnged between him
and his friends In America should always be con-
sdered words OF friendship He then said, In pro-
longed and aiectionate tone, saQ0odby.n