to his mother ardent and pathetic. Except in the delicacy of address to a lady, in which Wilks and Barry excelled all mortals, Garrick was, in this fcene, a most perfect Hamlet.

Mr. Sheridan, in feveral fituations of Hamlet's character, was original, and different from all, of his own time, who had preceded him. The applaufe, conferred on him by many brilliant audiences, will be an authentic testimony of his merit.

Hamlet was not Barry's most happy effort in acting; but, in this fcene, he certainly was very pleasing and affecting.

Mr. Smith's endeavours to please, in Hamlet, were crowned with fuccefs. He modeftly contented himself with following the inftructions of his great master, Mr. Garrick; and was always heard with respect and attention.

I have already mentioned Mr. Henderfon with that just praise which his great merit deferves. He is accounted, by the critics, one of the most correct and judicious speakers

on the stage. His third-act fcene, in Hamlet, is not only judicious, but pathetic.

The part of Hamlet's Mother is a character of dignity, not without a mixture of paffion. Though, of late, our principal actreffes have rejected Queen Gertrude, yet the fkill of a good performer is requifite to fill up many of her theatric fituations with propriety. Without a proper fupport from the Queen, Hamlet's action, in the last scene of the third act, would lofe half its force. Lady Slingsby, an actrefs of merit, was the firft Hamlet's Mother, I think, fince the Restoration, when Mrs. Betterton acted Ophelia. Mrs. Porter was the Queen-mother of Wilks, and Mrs. Hallam of Ryan.

The excellent performance of this part by Mrs. Pritchard will be the longer remembered, fince, as I have obferved, the present eminent tragic actreffes reject the part, as if it were beneath them. The univerfal applause the commanded, in this great

great interview with her fon, was thought by her a fufficient compenfation for going through various attitudes of less confequence.

Mrs. Pritchard's attention to all the lefs, and feemingly unimportant, bufinefs of the Queen, was fo exact, that Hamlet's Mother was esteemed one of her prime characters. Mrs. Porter though a greater actress in tragedy, did not excel her in Gertrude.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

The King is with the body, &c. explained.

- Fontinbras and Hamlet. Market of man's time. Slight affronts refented.

Falkland island.

Lucian's Speculantes.Hugger-mugger.- Keen's majesty.— Cafe of Ophelia.-Mrs. Cibber.-Mrs. BettertonMrs. Booth and Mrs. Clive.- Character of Laertes; - clofeted by the King. The Grave-diggers defended, and Voltaire cenfured. Reflections on Yorick's fkull. Foote. Clod, the famous court-fool. — 2 Elizabeth, Archbishop Whitgift, and Dean Perne. Cabe Underhill.- His character. -Laft part.-Jonson, the actor ;-originally a painter.-Yates.- Jemmy Robertfon, of York. Hamlet's behaviour to Ro

༧

Jencraus and Guildenstern. — Paffive obeOftrick characterized.- Hamlet a

dience.

liar.

Laertes bafe. Fat and scant of breath. - Hamlet defended against the at

tacks

tacks of Mr. Steevens. tion of Hamlet.

ftored.

Garrick's altera

The Grave-diggers re

Short character of the play. Mr.

Kemble.-Inferior parts in Hamlet.

A& IV.

Hamlet, Rofencraus, Guildenftern.

HAMLE T.

The body is with the King, but the King is not with the body.

HAMLET, it should be observed,

feizes every opportunity to fpeak contemptuously of his uncle; and here he readily embraces it, with a witty and farcastic turn of expreffion. I cannot think Mr. Steevens's explanation of this paffage happy. Hamlet turns quickly, from the body of Polonius, to a fevere and pointed reproach on the King: My uncle,' fays I grant you, has the body, the outfide show and pageantry, of a monarch; but he wants the dignity and virtues which constitute true royalty.' What he fays, a little

he,

I 4