The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-28

mon Of Kent. Sussex. and other eastern coun-
tics"-no cxccssos were committed and asol-
cmn onth was administered to all that they
should bc fathfuto the King and the Commons.
In other words. this uprising was the precc-
dent and lnoa ancestor Of those which
were to purge England in the lifetime Of Shake
spcarc's childrcn indeed. the men were already
born who were to march up 10 London from
Buckinghamshirc five thousand strong. in order
that the voice OF John Hampton might be
swollen by the shouts of his constituents. When
we consider Shakcspeare's treatment OF this
subject. the measured praise OF Dryden seems
rather generous than niggard. say not
says Dryden Of our poet. that he was every
where alike. but he was always great when
great occasion was presented to him. Here,
at all events IN Cades rebellion, Shakespeare
missed n grand opportunity and one. we may
be- sure. which Milton would never have per
vertcd.
The tragedy Of Julius Caesar Sfrcrs an APP
parent exception to Mr. Wlkce's affirmation that
we cannot find in all Of Shakespeare dramas
one single aspiration IN favor Of human lbcr-
IT," for the patriotic part Of Bria0s. with its
splendid invocation to the Roman CONF irators
to peace. freedom and liberty" seems to be in
direct conflict with his theory. But the text OF
the play itself, as well as the historical record.
shows that BirUos was as unbcndng an aristo-
crat ~ tUr,Oidus. and that the only liberty for
which he bathed his arms in the blood OF has
best friend was the liberty Of retaining the Eov-
eminent. falsely called II republic in the
hands OF the putricans or slaveowncrs under
the so-callcd "Sullan Constitution" Brdus
doultlcss believed that the oligarchical and
slaveholding form of government was the h' II
form for the welfare Of the country but VIII
= Lott. a
bcnchcicnt experience. and he should have sym
pathi2ed with the bondage and suiferings Of the
poor.
one q the best chapters in Mr.. Wilkcs's book
is devoted to the Merchant Of Venice and
certainly Shak,sprar a treatment Of the Jews
forms a heavy count in the indie tmcnt II -
idle to talk of the disabilities under which the
! Hebrews then lived all over Europe. and Of
the projudic0s which controlled Chr stan CONF
munti 8. The jewish element Of society was
not faVoritc in the last century with the mobiles
! vino patron,1ed. or the petty princes who sub
sidized German thcatrcs; nevertheless. Lf's-
sing, writing for his broad produced Nathan
der Wcise.' perhaps the noblest tribute ever
paid TO Judaism by Il Christian. clever
man may cOntrivc, II he will, TO tell the truth,
and earn his porridge. too but IA for Shake
! spcare, when the humble and despiscd classes
were concerned we fear tho truth was not in
! him. A. regards the race whom the poet has
chosen TO hold up to scorn in Shylock twho,
nevertheless. in shakospcarc's distorted picture
compares not unfnyorably with his Christian
encmiesl. Mr.. Wilkes very properly Gays that
he has never heard Of any historical. eth nooss-
cal or moral reason why they should suffer the
least discount in any equitable estimation"
The wonder is that. under the prejudice which
the society Of all Christian countries has unrc-
mtttingly exercised against them, they should
remain such useful. inoffcnsive. law-ahding
| citizens The world il not at all indebted to
| William Shakespeare for what he has done. 10
contribute toward this narrow disparagemont
| OF the lsraelita race and lcast OF all should he
be respected for 1t in America.
b fore We leave the reader to this very inter-
csting book, we must say word about the
authors style. We do not know whether Mr..
Wilkes claims To possess what is technically
called scholarship hut II is plain enough that
the writer Of this volume is the master OF a bet
ter culture than most colleges aflord--a ripe
and comprehensive knowledge Of books and
men, Not many men. whatever their train
Ing. can use the English language 10
more trcnehant and luminous effect
or exhibit moro sure and nmble
grasp OF its afluent resources. These powers
will have been turned 10 good account il
this inquiry shall lead the reader 20 scrut.nizs
the shortcomings and perversties Of Shake
.ss---- - enc Suite IN
nuence OF his teachings 10y a consideration OF
his standpoint, and to remember that an ad-
mirable artist may be poor. worldly creature
compounded" AS he himself says. "all Of
clay" Moreover. II Shakespeare, the man
could once be seen MS he really was. II is posi-.
BILE that the merits Of the art ~ might rrcciy,
more Judicial handling. Then, Ut all events