The New York herald., 1879-02-24


the last copy of the tragedy has disappeared.
1t is now, we think clearly established that the
original source from which the shakespearian story
derived If not directly at least through me-
dunn that preserved the main lines of the original
was the Danish chronicles of Saxo Grammaticus,
and there the insanity of the rude Hamlet is ex-
pressly put down feigned. Indeed. as carefully
noted by Mr.. Watson it is equally strongly laid
down by Hamlet himself that his putting on of the
'antic disposition" is of set purpose, and Mr. Wat
son sets himself to prove that at no time was this
the cover to real insanity, stoutly maintained
by experts in lunacy and others In the third act alone
Mr.. Watson finds Ave trying situations which should
disprove the allegation First. with the players;
second. with Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guilden-
stern; third, alone; fourth. with Horatio; fifth.
with the royal forces (whom it is his evident pur-
pose to deceived wherein he Immediately puts on an
'antc disposition and reassumes his mad character.
These points all well taken. and his demonstra
tion is admirable that in the interview with the ghost
the spiritual belief Of the age the preparation before
hand and the manner OF meeting the appariton were
all calculated to temper the shock Of such appari
tion even to so sensitive q mind as Hamlet's. On
this, as upon the much more debatable ground OF
Hamlets will power, Mr.. Watson considers that sit is
because of Hamets vast superiority in intellect, wis
dom and godness that the critics of two and half
Goethe mostly agreed in looking the prescribed
vengeance great deed laid upon u soul unequal
to the performance of it." He hals. turns aside.
loses his purpose IN ideal speculation circum-
stance, and is finally led to consummate it by
dent From this view Mr.. Watson totally and, we
think. too eagerly dssents. 1t cannot for moment
be denied. reading of the tragedy. that Hamlet
is conscious of rresolution that makes him "peak,
like John-a-dreams unpregnant of his cause that
drives him to contemplate suicide rather than kill the
king. and that turned back from that, he sees how
momentous enterprises "turn awry and lose the
name Of action" 1t is in this very debating quality
that the weird charm of Hamlet consists. We're he
to slay the king once without pnrley preamble
should have little better than Bowery drama
Still with this important reservation Mr.. Watson
deserves credit for pointing out succincty the truce
Of continued purpose in three distinct attempts
upon the kings life; certainly he successfully de-
fends Hamlet from the extreme opinion of the Ger
critic, Hermann Ulrci. that the events "are not
brought about by his free volition according
to his intention" In the FIRST attempt, where
the king is at his prayers he spares him lest he might
send him to heaven and picturing hs father suffer-
ing the torments Of hell" which Mr. Watson obvi-
ously confounds with purgatory, the post-inorten
state which the ghost describes. In the second
tempt he kills Polonius by mistake, but intention
Mr.. Watson bends his energies to showing that there
| is distinct and sane purpose in the killing. 1t il
pleasant to record these efforts In the study
OF Shakespeare IN which, in other walks. America
| Is taking her place IN the world of letters.
In this connection It may not be uninreresting to
quote the twelfth century story Of Saxo Grammati-
| Gus which formed the groundwork Of Shakespeare s
tragedy
The Danish King. Roderich had set the two vail
ant brothers, Ervendil and FenRo. to rule Jut-
land The elder of the two brothers had done signal
service to the king by Staying his enemy. Kollr in
| green meadow, and had been rewarded by the
| grateful monarch with the gift Of his daughter.
| Gerutha. Some time afterward Fepgo slew his
brother and took Gerutha to wife. He then threat
ened to kill the young Hamlet to the murdered
Ervendil; but the prince managed to his tate
by feigning madness, that 1t not thought
| worth while to moiest ham. In process OF time.
however, the tyrant appears to have changed his
| mind, for We find him sending the young prince on
| visit to the King Of Britain, in the company
| of two persons, the bearers Of staff upon
| the effect that the British king to put his
| guest to death. During the voyage Hamlet de-
| ciphered the mysterious writing and changed it in
such manner that on their arrival at their place OF
destination the two gentlemen of his escort at
| once killed, while he himself soleninly welded
to the kings daughter. He then threw of the mask
OF madness and returned to Jutland with quantity
of gold, present from his tather-in-law. For Sc
curity the treasure secreted within two hollow
| stayes in accordance with q practice Of which we
fnd many examples in other legends of early date.
| Hamlet now prepares to carry out his long matured
| scheme OF revenge he takes his mother into his
confidence; the mobiles of tho court are invited to
grand feast and all ipade to ply the cup with such
vigor that they one after the other fall under the
table, and In this position secured in the meshes
| of stout net. woven for the purpose by Hamlet
| uncle. sets himself upon the throne and with his
British wife rules for many years very happily
| the warlike folks Of Jutland.