our, thus keeping all suspicion from his uncle's mind—giving himself more time to plan an opportunity to effect his perfect means of vengeance: he swears his friends, who brought him to the awful interview, to strictest secrecy, both to the solemn circumstances of the night, and, also, as to the unsettled behaviour he intends to assume, to throw his murderous uncle off his guard. And this most sacred oath is now enjoined by words most wondrous strange, that rise as from the grave-pronounced by him, the regal shade, still lingering near his son-who feels

The time is out of joint-Oh! cursed spight,

That ever he was born to set it right.

From the moment that his soul communes with him whose dread, appearance and unnatural murder

So horridly has shook his disposition,

We may pursue the two predominant traits which, to the period of his fitful dark career, accompany his thoughts and acts, and which delay the execution of the ghost's commands, until the fatal hour, when, by the same royal murderer's base invention, though executed by another's hand, himself becomes a victim and a sacrifice.

The earliest instance that occurs, in which, in deep fulfilment of his vow he

Wipes away all forms--all pressures pastoccurs with the fair Ophelia-when, for the purpose of a last farewell, before he sacrifices on the altar of his filial love the sweet affection he has borne so long for her, he seeks her in her chamber, where, she says

He takes her by the wrist and holds her hard, &c.

This sketch, pictorial, of the prince's agony before his struggle for revenge commenced-this last renouncement of the maid he fondly prized, before he gave his soul up to the one absorbing feeling of deep retribution for his father's death, is, by Polonius, construed into madness for her love: but Hamlet knows the chamberlain to be a spy, and when,

In sadness, the poor wretch comes reading,

that crafty politician asks him if he knows him: fully does he then express his strong suspicion of his wily treachery, when, in his antic diposition, he replies,

Excellent, well-you are a fishmonger,

meaning, thereby, you are a person endeavouring to fish out and discover all my sentiments, which, to advance yourself in his esteem, you will betray unto the king.

In the just thought that, every where, his path is watched, he now doubts Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, the school and playmates of his college days, who visit him most unexpectedly. He says to them,

'What make you at Elsinore? Were you not sent for? Is it a free visitation! You were sent for-there is a kind of confession in your looks which your modesties have not craft enough to colourI know the good king and queen sent for you.'

And so anxious he is to have satisfaction of his doubts, that he proceeds thus::

'I conjure you-by the rights of our fellowship-by the consonancy of our youth-by the obligation of our ever-preserved love and by what more dear, a better proposer could charge you withal, be even and direct with me, whether you were sent for or no.' And when, at last, they acknowledge they were sent for by the king and queen, he breaks forth into that beautiful and impassioned speech in which he first describes his change of feelings, and suddenly bursts out into a brilliant apostrophic essay upon human nature, which, alike, glows with lofty in

tellect and high poetic fire. He says,

'I have of late, but wherefore I know not, lost all my mirthforegone all costom of exercise, and indeed, it goes so heavily with my disposition, that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a promontory-this most excellent canopy, the air-look youthis brave o'erhanging firmament-this majestical roof, fretted with golden fire, why, it appears no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours. What a piece of work is a man how noble in reason-how infinite in faculty-in form and moving-how express and admirable-in action, how like an angel -no apprehension, how like a god!

The players, whom his two friends have coted on the way, and who were journeying to solicit the accustomed patronage of the scholastic prince, now enter, and while they remain 、upon the scene, he appears playful, homourous and contented, as for a period, he had thrown of the mountain weighing on his mind. In presence of so keen, and yet, so kind judge, he that plays the king wül ever feel himself welcome-the adventurous knight would use his foil and target willingly— the lover never would sigh gratis-the humourous man would be sure to end his part in peace-the clown-the shrewd, loud, bitter, laughable, dry clown, would study all his conceits to make those laugh whose lungs are tickled o'the sere; and the lady would unhesitatingly speak her mind as freely as the blank verse could give her words to do it—the thought of witnessing a play once more brings to his momentarily delighted mind, the old pious chanson with which he gibes PoloniusOh Jeptha, judge of Israel

with condescension only to be equalled by his temporary joy he welcomes all the players, with whom he holds familiar badinage, and from whom he begs a taste of their dramatic quality—but as our Byron says:

Ever and anon of griefs subdued,

There comes a token like a scorpion's sting-
Scarce seen, but with fresh bitterness embued,—
And slight withal may be the things which bring
Back on the heart the weight which it would fling
Aside for ever-it may be a sound-

A tone of music-summers eve or spring

A flower-the wind-the ocean which shall wound-
Striking the electric chain with which we are darkly bound.

The scorpion's sting which strikes its bitter fang into the prince's heart, is the impassioned speech alluding to Queen Hecuba, and the quick feeling player who recites it. And in the ensuing soliloquy, our mighty poet as in another portion of the prince's character-his instructions to the players— makes him describe in language glowing with pictorial poetry some of the qualities which constitute the perfect tragic actor." This lecture is far too interesting to be passed over hurridly, With Mr. Stuart's leave, (to whom we have to acknowledge a debt of gratitude for the generous manner in which he has permitted us to give these long extracts,) we shall return to this subject in our next number. The lecture is worthy of being given entire, and we hope that, at some future period. Mr. Stuart will yield to the solicitations of his friends, and allow this and his others to appear in form of a volume.

The succeeding portion of the lecture, is, if possible, more interesting than the preceding. The mystery of Hamlet's conduct towards the fair Ophelia is cleared up-Dr. Johnson's accusation of 'wanton cruelty" is refuted-for it plainly appears, from Mr. Stuart's explanation, that Hamlet acts under the influence of natural suspicions on very justifiable grounds.

INSTITUTIONS.

LITERARY, SCIENTIFIC AND COMMERCIAL
INSTITUTION, ST. ANNE STREET.

"The long protracted question—“ Are theatrical representations beneficial or injurious to society?" was decided on Tuesday evening, by an overwhelming majority in favor of plays and play-going. The two leaders, Mr. Willmer and Mr. Stuart, Jun., (eldest son of our head Tragedian) exerted themselves to the utmost. The elder Mr. Stuart's fable of the Ass and the Elephant was injudiciously alluded to by the opponents of theatres, created a new feeling against their arguments, which by quoting it for their own purposes, they pulled on themselves-the reasoning of the younger Stuart, with the strong resemblance of his manner to his father-and the popular side of the question which he took, bore down all opposition: the ladies seemed particularly enthusiastic in his cause-and he triumphed we think justly."

TERMINATION OF THE DISCUSSION ON THE QUESTION,

THEATRICAL SOCIETY?"

66

ARE REPRESENTATIONS BENEFICIAL OR INJURIOUS TO MR. WILLMER'S SPEECH ON THE NEGATIVE SIDE.

"I have just closed the discussion of a mighty and important question--one which involves the principles of morality and virtue-while it exemplifies the fact, that there is no question upon which all men entertain the same opinion; and verifies the long established truth, that man is not gifted with immaculate or unerring judgment. Generation after generation will pass away, nations may be destroyed, but the enduring principle of men differing in opinion will still remain, and they will still, I hope, be allowed the fearless expression of those opinions. The mind of man must be completely animalized before the voice of truth shall be stifled, and in this fine-skinned age, when gentlemen of small ideas-extremely young or feebly old in intellect, rediculously wage a futile war against a legalized profession; allow me to call your attention to the fact, that although that profession may be legalized, it does not render it any the more pure, good, virtuous, or moral. It is to the stage, and the love of the mimic scene, that we are indebted for a series of plays, whose immoral tendency is acknowledged by the world; and I am proud to state, that foe upon foe has risen up against them, and will continue to rise up and denounce them, until they shall have been swept from the face of the globe, and the evil which they have wrought upon society shall be buried in oblivion. The enemies of the stage and the drama will still combine to laugh at those poor, puny enemies, who, with an envious or misguided feeling, and with assertions as false as the very fiend himself, would lay the temple of truth prostrate, and would hurl into eternity all those original thinkers who have the manliness to express their opinion. I dreamed, ladies and gentlemen, that in this very town, some clever party, and immaculate judge between right and wrong, of what is morality and what is immorality, had endeavoured to assail a few of these original thinkers for presuming to express their opinion upon the tendency of the drama and the stage-I dreamed that every species of injustice had been resorted to to damage them and their cause-that every vicious art had been used to bring down upon them ridicule and contempt-I dreamed too that a very eloquent, learned author had composed a fable upon the subject, which I would recite, but really it is so gross in its proportions, so

low and vulgar in its composition, that I would rather spare the ear of delicacy and correct taste; and in conclusion, express my surprise and regret, that any gentleman claiming to rank high in the scale of society, and moral and intellectual attainments, should so far demean himself as to assail so grossly and unjustly, a few young men for discussing a question upon which the most learned have differed, and who are merely inquirers after truth, and not a school of Philosophers disseminating new doctrines. With respect to what may have fallen from me in the course of debate, concerning the characters of actors, I would say with Hudibras and Mr. Stuart, Sen., "When caps amidst a crowd are thrown,

Take that which fits you, for your own."

MECHANIC'S, MOUNT STREET.

On Saturday, October 30th, James Sheridan Knowles, Esq., delivered the second of his course of Lectures on the Drama, but in consequence of many of the members not being able to obtain entrance on the previous evening, owing to the number of single tickets issued, it was resolved that on the succeeding lectures of this course, none but members be admitted, the lecture-room was, therefore, by no means so full as on the preceding evening. In our first we traced the drama from its origin to the time of Eschylus, which was yet in a state of infancy, and one argument in proof of this assertion is, that each succeeding dramatist of Greece, surpassed his predecessor. 'Eschylus was eclipsed by Sophocles, and Sophocles by Euripides. Eschylus was more of the poet than the dramatist, as may be plainly seen from his works. Of the plays of Sophocles, Edipus Tyrannus, is without doubt the best; and suppose we were to compare the Manfred of Byron to the Bertram of Maturin, we should find the former superior in speechthough far inferior in dramatic composition, yet the admirable drama Sardanapalus by the same, fully justifies Byron's right to the title of dramatic author. The plot of Bertram is simple but has been found fault with, on account of its immorality, but we should say with more severity than justicethe story is not one that should be told in a crowd, yet it is to all an example. Maturin was the child of disappointment as he was the child of the muses, yet he has written enough to immortalize his name. Bertram will live as long as language is read and beauty of composition admired.

But we must turn to Sophocles, the first cultivator of the Drama, he it was who first kept his audience in a state of excitement, until the end of the play, and then burst forth into explanation, as shown in his Ædipus Tyrannus, which in this respect is similar to Shakspere's Macbeth. The execution of Edipus Tyrannus falls short of the conception owing to the youth of the art; it wants judgement and discretion in the detail, also individuality in its characters. What would Shakespere have made of such a drama! those bursts of eloquence and flow of poetic passion.'

On Wednesday Nov. 3rd James Sheridan Knowles Esq., delivered his 3rd Lecture on the Drama, at this Institution to a crowded audience.

'As a dramatist Euripides is greatly superior to Sophocles, while he excels him and also Æschylus in the delineation of his subject, the same is remarked in the dramatic character of his illustrations of the three great dramatists of Greece, he is the only one who repeatedly reminds you of Shakspere, and in whose composition you see the feelings of the bard of Avon. He is often called the poet of the heart-his characters are portraits which remind you of originals—the scene of Euripides is the scene of real life. How fine a treat of beauty does Euripides present to you, known not to

those before him :-Upon these proofs of dramatic genious, doe Euripides claim his right as the greatest Greek dramatist." The lecturer next proceeded to a brief analysis of the works of Sophocles and Euripides, observing, "That the Edipus Tyrannus of Sophocles, which we examined in the last lecture, contained a vast field for the dramatist, it indeed was rich in materials and yet Enripides with a plot so poor, and scope so small, had produced a drama in every way superior." The lectured next proceeded to illustrate the principal parts of Euripides drama of Aulis, the plot of which is something to this effect. The Gretian fleet ready to sail for troy is detained by a storm, the prophet being consulted states that to appease the Gods Agamemnon must offer up his daughter Iphigenia; he acceeds to it, sends for his daughter under the pretence that he wishes to marry her to Achilles, after which he repents of it and sends a messenger to detain her coming-the daughter arrives, not having received the letter of the messenger, and with her also comes her mother and younger brother; her arrival is known to the troops-Achilles approaches the tent of Agamemnon-Iphigenia accosts him as her lover, he informs her she has been deceived, and the messenger explains the whole by the letter-news arrives that Ulisses is approaching to bear her off by force-Ephigenia rises and leads the way to the alter, when just as the priest is about to slay her, she is carried up to heaven and a lamb lies bleeding in her stead.' F. W.

THEATRE ROYAL.

Sir Edw. L. Bulwer's Play of Money was repeated for the fourth time on Tuesday. The play has been too often before the public now for us to give any lengthened detail of its plot; but we may justly state, that had it possessed less merit than it really does, the acting would have made it successful. Mr. Baker as Graves, with the recollections of his "Sainted Maria," with face and garb that brought a funeral constantly to the mind, but with humour and artistical skill that kept the audience in a roar-Mrs. Clarke, the beau-ideal of the good tempered amiable-hearted Lady Franklin--another, Vandenhoff, the youngest of his honse, Henry, whose representation of Sir "Fwedewick" Blount, was good as an old actor's impersonation-Geo. Cooke as Sir John-the reading of the will-the babble and bustle of the gambling club, and above all-the tender, lovely impersonation of Clara, by Miss Vandenhoff-and the sarcastic, strong-minded, loving, rejected, and at length, happy Evelyn, by Mr. Stuart, all unite to form a play of intense interest. The audience seemed occasionally to suppress their very breathing during the intense acted scenes between Miss Vandenhoff and Mr. Stuart. Of Mr. Stuart's

exertions on this occasion, we can speak in the warmest terms of admiration; throughout the evening, he succeeded in working his audience to the highest pitch of excitement. Long, loud, hearty, continuous applause denoted the happiness of the spectators, when Clara and Evelyn were freed from their difficulties. This play should often be repeated by the manager, and as often witnessed by the town. The play of Money was preceded by the splendid tragedy of Cato, on which occasion there was a tolerably good house. We would take this opportunity of suggesting, to our spirited manager, the necessity of, and the benefit which he would derive from, having a good after-piece. We are often compelled to witness a silly farce, possessing neither plot nor interest; or, we must leave the theatre before the performances are over, and with an impression of disappointment, which is, we think, bad policy on the part of the management.

Ion, Richelieu, and Mr. Knowles' new comedy have been the pieces produced during the week.

Concerning Mr. Knowles' comedy which is entitled “ Old Maids" we feel much curiosity, we have not yet witnessed its representation, but from the deserved great celebrity of the author, our expectations are highly raised. We hope on some future occasion to give our readers a general outline of the plot. The public cannot be made too familiar with the excellent productions of our modern Shakspere.

We are glad to perceive that Mr. Charles Kean and Miss Ellen Tree commence an engagement of ten nights, on Monday next, when we hope to see good houses.

Feeling assured, from your known philanthrophy that whatever may tend to increase the Intelligence, Morality and Physical condition of any portion of the community will meet with your approval, I beg on behalf of myself and coadjutors that you will allow us a space in your valuable JOURNAL, to plead a cause which we consider of paramount importance. However various and conflicting men's opinions may appear on the subject. I promise that our language shall be temperate, and under the guidance of a temperate spirit. The subject which we wish to bring before the Public, is the unnecessary hours spent in the pursuit of Business, and let me entreat all parties to view it calmly and dispassionately. Is there any necessity for it? Would it not be better performed with shorter hours and with more energy? Would not the Public be equally accommodated? Then what upholds the present system? Merely, tyrant, custom. Because for the last two or three generations my Father and Grandfather have been accustomed to make their purchases late in the evening, little reflecting that they were consigning fifteen thousand individuals in Liverpool to an early tomb, therefore I must follow in the same track. As this is merely an introductory letter I shall endeavour to preserve its character by only pointing out its broad features, which may serve as tests for our future letters. We are prepared to prove by arguments which are deemed unanswerable, that a curtailment of the hours of business, would prove equally beneficial to the Employer and Employed, that the public has not the most remote idea of the evils connected with the present system, and that it degrades man to the level of the brutes; making him an animal of mere labour, treating him as a mere machine, a piece of mechanism,-having no regard to the higher attributes of his nature, connected with his expanding and never-dying mind-ruining his constitution and in reality injuring all parties. It can be proved to be injurious in a three-fold degree, Intellectually, Morality, and Physically. Now if we can establish all these points, as we live in a christian country, what hinders immediate alteration? Because of course, we take the Bible for our rule of conduct, and what is its testimony? "Do unto others as ye would be done unto." "With whatsoever mete you measure, it shall be done unto you again." We therefore humbly crave the indulgence of the Public, and only observe in conclusion that if any person is seriously disposed to take up his pen, and endeavour to prove that the cause which we advocate, is not just and reasonable, we shall be happy to give a reply.

ALPHA.

ORIGINAL POETRY.

MR. EDITOR

I hope you will excuse the liberty I take in sending you the following lines for insertion in the columns of your valuable Journal, but your kind encouragement to young correspondents emboldens me to hope that should they appear at all worthy, you will not refuse the admission. Mr. Blacklock filled the situation of assistant, at the boarding school where I received the greatest part of my education, and to him I owe what progress I made in my studies, and to his advice, aided by your Essay on Study, I owe a determination to proceed still further in the study of classic literature. He is now residing in Westmoreland, and the above lines were composed as a slight token of esteem to him.

AN ACROSTIC.

When once beneath your guiding hand,
I trod the ground of classic lore;
Led by affection not command,
Led by persuasion more than power;
In learning's paths delight I gain'd,
And aye in study pleasure found:
My end was in your smile obtain'd,
Bless'd all my toil when with it crown'd.
Later years apart have seen us,
And widely from each other placed,
Connected by the tie between us,

Kind friendship's pleasures still we taste,
Long may we call those pleasure ours,
Onward as we through life proceed,
Cheered by the joys of friendship's bowers,
Kindred in heart, and friends indeed.

T. D. W.

LINES ON A LOCK OF HAIR.

FOR GAWTHROP'S JOURNAL. When I this lovely Lock but view, That once upon thy forehead threw, Its curling shades, of auburn hue,

How beats my heart? To think that we who love so true Are doomed to part. To me it even seems to move, To speak in strains of warmest love, Oh! never from thy true love roveBut constant be, Affection's tears to check I strove They fell for thee. And then again, it seemed to grieve For sister locks, t'was doomed to leave, That on thy snowy temples weave,

Their graceful charms.

But, shall I thus myself deceive

With loves alarms? Unconscious still, (but I'll caress thee) To all my woes, yet still I'll bless thee, And to my faithful bosom press thee, For thou canst prove, The hopes, the fears, that now distress me For her I love. R. C.

WOMAN.

Though sweet are the flowers in the Spring,
In each rarest beauties we trace,
Though gay be the butterfly's wing,

They charm not like dear woman's face.
T'is sweet to see sparkling red wine,
Or stars shining bright in the skies,
Still sweeter it is to see shine

A woman's bright joy-speaking-eyes.
'Tis sweet through dim forests to stray,
Or hours with a book to beguile,
But where is the student will say

Such spells he can find as her smile.
There's music in ocean's wild roar,

And sweet is the nightingale's song

Who loves not the music far more

He hears from his loved maiden's tongue.

Sweet honey we steal from the bees,

And sweet are the wine-bibber's sips,
Sweet fruits we may gather from trees-
But none are so sweet as her lips.
What beauty with her's can compare?
She's fair as the angels above;
She's kind, and as faithful as fair,

We see her, and cannot but Love.

MISCELLANEA.

To take sincere pleasure in the blessings and excellencies of others, is a much surer mark of benevolence than to pity their calamities. Hester Chapone.

As large towns are the first to acquire knowledge and civilisation, so are they the first to degenerate into luxury and contempt of knowledge, and where these two baneful influences operate, rapid danger is at hand-glory and strength have no second spring.-Hine.

INSTITUTIONS.

LECTURES FOR THE WEEK.

MECHANICS', MOUNT STREET.

This day, (Saturday) November 6th, and Wednesday, the 10th, James S. Knowles, Esq.'s fourth and fifth lectures on the Drama.

JUNIOR LITERARY & PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY,
8, TRAFALGAR ST., RUSSELL ST.
Tuesday, November 9th, the second of a course of Two Lec-
tures on the Preparation and Properties of Nitrous Oxide.-
(Laughing Gas) by Mr. F. Weiss.

LITERARY, SCIENTIFIC, AND COMMERCIAL,
58, ST. ANNE STREET.

Whether was Napoleon or Cromwell the greater Warrior and Statesman ?

NORTHERN MECHANICS'.

This Evening, an Attractive Concert, Recitations, &c.

Price of this paper, twopence per week, or two shillings per quarter in advance. Liverpool:-Printed at HUGH GAWTHROP'S General Printing Office, Clarence Buildings, 34, North John-street. Published by CHARLES DAVIES, 32, North John Street.

No. 7.

ON THE ADVANTAGES LIKELY TO RESULT FROM MEETINGS HELD FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPROVING THE MIND WITH LECTURES AND CONVERSATIONS ON LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SUBJECTS, AND OF AFFORDING ENTERTAINMENT BY SPEECHES, SONGS, AND RECITATIONS.

In the present day when it is the boast of every one that he has made some little progress in learning, and when the pleasures and advantages of intellectual acquirements are becoming better understood, it will not be a work of supererogation to make a few suggestions for the consideration of the intellectual youth of this town, which suggestions, if acted upon, will enable young men to progress in knowledge, by the most pleasant imaginable road.

We would strongly recommend young men possessing similarity of dispositions, for the pursuit of knowledge, to form themselves into select societiesto hold their meetings periodically, at an appointed time and place, and to gain that improvement which all acknowledge may be derived by the free interchange of thought. Great mutual improvement may be derived by the adoption of this plan if every young man be willing to exert himself to the utmost of his power; there should be an orderly arrangement made, and there should be a proper understanding among the members what they are to expect will take place at each meeting. The following is a plan which we humbly propose for the consideration of those who are willing to take advantage of our suggestions. Firstly,―an Essay, Lecture, or Paper to be read by one of the members.

These papers might be upon subjects connected with Literature, Science, or the Fine Arts; and from these we have not the least doubt, much very valuable information would be agreeably conveyed. It is not only from those who are much our superiors that information can be obtained. It by no means follows, that because a man has devoted himself to years of intense study, that he is, therefore, qualified to deliver more edifying or more instructive lectures to a mixed audience. On the contrary, it very frequently happens, that such an one is less qualified on account of the depth into which he at once dives into his subject, rendering himself unintelligible to those who happen not to have been previously initiated. A remark was once made by Sir Joshua Reynolds to the

1841.

members of the Royal Academy, which, at the time we read it, we felt convinced was perfectly true, and which conviction has been greatly strengthened by subsequent observation:-He said, "Every seminary of learning may be said to be surrounded with an atmosphere of floating knowledge, where every mind may imbibe somewhat congenial to its own original conceptions; knowledge, thus obtained, has always something more popular and useful than that which is forced upon the mind by private or solitary meditations. Besides, it is generally found that a youth more easily receives instruction from the companions of his studies, whose minds are nearly on a level with his own, than from those who are much his superiors; and it is from his equals only that he catches the fire of emulation." A young lecturer commences with the rudiments of his subject, and leads his audience to an acquaintance with it, as far as he has learned, by the same road that he himself has travelled. His language is less abstruse, and consequently less difficult to comprehend—his youthfulness gives courage to his audience; seeing how much has been acquired by a little application, stimulates others to make similar exertions, and he himself feels pleasure resulting from a manly and honest pride, because he is competent, in consequence of his own industrious habits, to communicate information to his fellow beings, and lay a claim to their esteem. Will any one say that we expose ourselves to the charge of absurdly prophecying and outstripping the bounds of all human probability, if we say that from such apprentice attempts at lecturing, may spring future lecturers, who shall instruct and edify thousands in the theatres of the various mechanics' and literary institutions in the kingdom. "Great streams from little fountains flow." From more trifling beginnings than these as important results have followed. Many youths have thus been stimulated to the noblest exertions, and the reward of their persevering efforts to perform something great, has been the realization of fortune, and an enduring fame. How delightful to sit and listen to those, who have themselves but just torn away the veil which has hidden from them some of the splendid truths of science, and whose hearts are yet beating with joy at the discoveries they have made,-to listen to the enthusiastic eulogiums on the sweets of knowledge, and