MONG the numberless exquisite por-
traits delineated, for the delight and
instruction of the world, by the hand

of the great Dramatic Master, there is one
which in a pre-eminent degree solicits and
detains the universal gaze; "the observed of
all observers." It is that of a young and
amiable Prince, in whom the traits of in-

tellect and of feeling are admirably blended: his fine

and varied countenance exhibits humour and sensibility, wit and philosophy, in the justest proportions: yet over all, and through all, there is still visible that "pale cast of thought," which might lead even the mere unacquainted spectator to infer, that the possessor had been burthened with a weight of mysterious care, which long oppressed, and finally overwhelmed him. This is that interesting and ever-eloquent friend, with whom we have held delightful converse from boyhood, even to the present hour; whose thoughts have penetrated to the innermost parts of our being; and whom, in despite of his occasional waywardness, weakness, and inconsistency, we have ever loved and respected as a dear and intimate personal friend. This, in a word, is HAMLET.

Of all human compositions, there is, perhaps, not one which in the same compass contains so much just, original, and profound thought, as this gigantic effort of genius; none so suggestive, so imaginative, and yet so practical; none which in an equal degree charms alike the philosopher and the simple rustic, the poet and the man of the world. From the hour of its first appearance, it has been the especial darling of all classes; and has thus tended, more than anything else, to shew the high capabilities of the universal human mind; to justify the high eulogium which Hamlet himself, “ the general favourite, as the general friend," pronounces so emphatically on his kindred "quintessence of dust." In reference to this point, it may be appropriately mentioned, that in the most remote eastern minor theatre -a locality which an inhabitant of more genial theatric climes would be apt to regard as a mere Bœotia, helplessly devoted to Pantomime and Melodrame-even here, the subtile wisdom and poetic beauty of the play before us, drew crowded houses, at a recent period, for upwards of sixty nights in a single season!

The main incidents on which the play of "HAMLET" is founded, are related by Saxo-Grammaticus, the Danish historian. The story is also told in the novels of Belleforest, and in a small black-letter volume, entitled "THE HISTORIE OF HAMBLETT." Shakspere's drama was first printed in 1603; was discovered of late years, and reprinted

been

"

a

copy of this edition (supposed to be unique), in 1825. The title runs thus: - "The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet Prince of Denmarke, by William Shake-speare. As it hath beene diverse times acted by his Highnesse servants in the Cittie of London: as also in the two Universities of Cambridge and Oxford, and elsewhere. At London, printed for N. L. and John Trundell." The title to the second quarto edition, published in 1604, states the play to have enlarged to almost as much againe as it was, according to the true and perfect coppie." It exhibits also some variations, both of plot and in the names original sketch. There were reprints of the enlarged quarto in 1605, 1609, and 1611; besides another of the characters, as compared with the edition without date. These various evidences of the great popularity of the play, were all precursors ☐ of the general folio collection, published by the Poet's "fellows," in 1623. Some further remarks on the different versions of "HAMLET" will be found in the Notes.