The Sun. — 1837-12-01 (London, England)

BENTLEY' S MISCELLANY.  This Miscellany has only reached us this morning, consequently we have been unable to do more than just glance hastily over its contents. Unless we receive the Magazines on the last day of the month,i  is impossible, with the vast number that crowd our table, to render them anything like justice. " Oliver Twist "—so far as we can judge from a very superficial perusal—does not diminish, but, on the contrary, seems to increase, in interest. The usual " Song of the Month," is neatly and pointedly written. It is from the pen of Cornelius Webbe. But the best article in the Number is decidedly the essay on the character of Lady Macbeth, a continuation of Dr. Maginn's admirable " Shakspeare Papers." In this essay the author defends the character of Lady 'Macbeth at the expense of her husband, thus directly reversing the criticism of Campbell on the same subject. His introductory observations on Shal:speare's women are beautiful, though Hazlitt has almost exhausted that theme, which was a favourite one with him. We do not hold with the Doctor's theory on Lady Macbeth, which we think is far too finely spun ; but this we will say, that it is defended with consummate adroitness and ingenuity. " Except her share in the murder of Duncan—which is, however, quite sufficient to justify the epithet in the mouth of his son—she does nothing in the play to deserve the title ; and for her crime she has been sufficiently punished by a life of disaster and remorse. She is not the tempter of Macbeth. It does not require much philosophy to pronounce that there were no such beings as the weird sisters ; of that the voice that told the Thane of Glamis that he was to be Kin.. of Scotland was that of his own ambition. In his own bosom was brewed the hell-broth, potent to call up visions counselling tyranny and blood ; and its ingredients were his own evil passions and criminal hopes. Macbeth himself only believes as much of the predictions of the witches as he desires. The same prophets who foretold his elevation to the throne, foretold also that the progeny of Banquo would reign; and yet, after the completion of the prophecy, so far as he is himself concerned, he endeavours to mar the other part by the murder of Fleance. The weird sisters are, to him, no more- than the Evil Spirit which, in Faust, tortures Margaret at her prayers. They are but the personified suggestions of his mind. She, the wife of his bosom, knows the direction of his thoughts ; and, bound to him in love, exerts every energy, and sacrifices every feeling, to minister to his hopes and aspirations. This is her sin, and no more. He retains, in all his guilt and crime, a fond feeling for his wife. Even when meditating slaughter, and dreaming of blood, he addresses soft words of conjugal endearment ; he calls her " dearest chuck," while devising assassinat ons, with the fore-knowledge of which he is unwilling to sully her mind. Selfish in ambition, selfish in fear, his character presents no point of attraction but this one merit. Shakspeare gives us no hint as to her personal charms, except when he makes her describe her hand as " little." We may be sure that there were few " more thorough-bred or fairer fingers," in the land of Scotland than those of the queen, whose bearing in public towards Duncan, Banquo, and the nobles, is marked by elegance and majesty ; and, in private, by affectionate anxiety for her sanguinary lord. He duly appreciated her feelings, but it is a pity that such a woman should have been united to such a man." " Adventures in Paris" are sprightly, and not devoid of humorous incident. " The Glories of Goodhumour" sufficiently explains its subject, which is treated in a befitting spirit. " Eighty Years Ago" gives us some singular details respecting the execution of Earl Ferrers for murder. " Jack among the Mummies," to which an illustration by George Cruickshank is attached, is full of the most diverting caricature, and will occasion a hearty laugh. " The Last of the Bandits" is not so interesting as its title would imply. It may, however, serve to amuse an idle half' hour.