The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-29

for the strife. for he possessed in a rare de-
gree the distinguishing traits OF true man
spirit Combining with these exalted quail
ties cultured intellect and engaging MAN.
ners. he typical Christian gentleman.
Well has Lsuncelot said.
"1here will como a Christian by
VIII be worth a Jewess' eye
II Is not surprising that our hero endowed
with such nature, won the affections of the
fair jessica and Induced her to embrace tho
Christian faith Nor was loves labor lost.
The decree Of fate has so ordained that such
spirit can not be f0led. Jessiea. hearing
, his gentle call. appears from the window
above, with the precious bag OF ducats and
Jewels With winsome grace she bids him
her place beside him. There Is not one sigh
OF regret, not one backward glance not one
paag Of renorse, as she leaves forever her
childhood home-or rather the prison walls
improperly designated by that sacred name.
Eut now she is tree from It's iron bars, and.
| launching forth upon the sea OF promise. real
ICES the fruition OF Der. fondest hopes.
A dull, blue sea and leadeu sky illuminated
by the mellow light Of the moon, form 6t
ting background for her radiant beauty. The
low nturmuring Winds seem TO whisper tneir
secret to the listening waters, and Gods
slecpless sentinels, reflected IN the CLASSY SEA.
witptes their VOWS OF eternal fidelity. Such
love is beyond the poets most enrapturcd
dream untainted by ambition for either rank
or wealth.
True. Lorenzo became rich, but not through
any devrco Of his own. I, Is evident that he
hadn't the slightest intimation Of jessica 5
financial aid until he read her letter directing
the manner OF their flight, and the wealth he
finally received was one OF the developments
In the trial scene
Lorenzo had no definite plots OF his own, bu,
when convinced OF the wisdom Of others
plans, he executed them with wisdom and ia
eacity. His conscience sanctioned his every
act. In answer % Portia he says: II will
obey you, madam, In all fair commands. And
| 1t is reasonable to conclude that he viewed
Jessioa's scheme from the same STANDPOINT.
| And in consideration of tho circumstance. It
| is not incredible that Lorenzo should have
| deemed II right for Jessica to thus appro.
pirate her portion Of shylock's wealth lie
was Of course. in sympathy with the spirit
of persecution. believed that the Jews had
obtained their means fraudulently, and were
not entitled IN legal protection, With such
a father as .shylock. it was NOT difficult To
convert Jessioa to this belief
| None knew better than she 1.-THE extent Of
his avarlce and revenge. Her speech regard.
| ing Antonio's fate reveals the fact that sh,
could only hope for Justice in law, author.
| ity and power.
Believing then, that he wauld disinheri
| her, and that Lorenzo would not sustain bel
in wrong doing, was she not iustinable?
| True, she was I'm error. But so was I.n
renzo in whom We have discovered the high
est integrity; and so was the law, the cr
| teron OF justice. ! think the modern crlti
! is too sNyere IN declaring Jessica's conduc
inexcusable, so rather seek to justify h
faults than 10 enumerate her virtues Al
though somewhat mereenary she was neithe
dishonest nor deceitful, Consider the miser!
Of her ifel Her first speech betTays tho agonl
of a suffering soul. and eyokes the genuine
sympathy OF an almost heartless clown. Their
are only three speeches In this scene. so the!
must be very significant
| Jesslcn says Our house is hell Lar
guage could not express a greater degree Q
domestic infelicity. Then. with an angulshc
~ -. kn .l...u In.
father and deny her facet Bat this does no
prove that she was naturally deeeitful. 70
almost every character IN the play decei yr
old shylock: and on every other occasion Ies
sica is candid TO an unusual degree. She I
ever frank IN manner and so prosaic that sb
seldom INDUCES In Jest and frequently mts
understands the playful speeches of Lauuce
lot
Her earnest praise Of Portia cvinces an art
less sinreritv and also Indicates that env
hntl no place IN her heart
But Lorenzo in his syowal Of love. d.
anly charms
"Beshrew me- for | love her heartily,
ror she Is wise II can Judge Of her.
And fair she u.s. n that mine eyes be true
And trne she is as she hath proved herself
Thus, like herself. wise, fair and true, :,
shall she be placed in my constant sori.
This snaeeh is verified In the last art, Thes
peerless lovers hand 10 hand again, With IN
canopy Of heaven arching above them; re
an.oss 1eubifme expressions of true sent
ment furnish an index to the tenor of thel
lives. ..a,t ..s.,.
His soul expands In the majestic presenc
Of nature, and he contemplates the riehes
harmonIes. AS he disconrses on the powe
and eioquence OF music, our hearts are ~
tuned to the divine Tyre and We hear tina
music which Is in IMMORTAL souls.
We can not accord to Jessica 80 high a
apnreciation OF inspiring sentiments, but "
can commend her wisdom In choosing