1828.] Retzsch' s- Outlines of Shakspcarc. 617 



sidering that the author of it seems impressed with a due notion of the 

 nature of that wonderful genius whom he proposes to illustrate : or 

 rather, let us say, that he seems to entertain a due admiration for that 

 genius ; for we are not at present prepared to admit (not even after the 

 examination of these outlines) that a foreigner can thoroughly understand 

 and appreciate Shakspeare : if he could, we, who are his countrymen, 

 might almost as well cease to be so ! 



This first series consists of seventeen plates all from the play of 

 Hamlet, except a frontispiece, which is not either very novel or very 

 striking, representing the Apotheosis of the Bard. It merely depicts him, 

 sleeping (and dreaming, doubtless), while borne up towards Heaven on 

 eagle's wings, while Cherubs support him, the Muses of Tragedy and 

 Comedy attend and crown him, and his brother Bards, who have pre- 

 ceded him, tune their harps to hail and receive him among them. There 

 is nothing in this plate calling for particular remark. 



PLATE the SECOND is introductory, and shews us the murder in the 

 arbour that event which may be said to be the spring of all the ater- 

 action of the play. The good king is sleeping, while his guilty brother 

 pours into his ears " the leprous distilment." Justice seems to be presiding 

 over the act, in a nich in the centre of the arbour (or pavillion), and the 

 entrance to it is supported by a sort of grotesque Terminus, seeming to 

 represent Envy scowling on the scene. From the window opposite to 

 this entrance depends a spider. Now, we confess ourselves unable to 

 comprehend, and, consequently, to appreciate the merit of these allego- 

 rical adjuncts. They are in the manner of Hogarth, without including 

 a jot of his matter. In fact, they are utterly inappropriate. For the 

 rest, the whole is very finely expressed. The figure of the sleeping 

 king sleeping calmly, and with all his faculties, even while Death is 

 upon him is admirable ; and the murderer cautious, yet confident at 

 the same time (for he's brother to a king !) is no less so : he is touching, 

 even before the deed is done the crown for which he is doing it. The 

 presiding figure of Justice, too, is dignified and grand ; but, as we have 

 said before, entirely out of place. Not that we doubt of a German com- 

 mentator being able to explain it in a manner altogether satisfactory. And, 

 in fact, it may, for any thing we know to the contrary, be " German to 

 the matter," as Hamlet says of " carrying a cannon by our side ;" but 

 assuredly it is not English still less Shaksperean. 



The two next plates the THIRD and FOURTH are among the very 

 best ; and the reason is, that the ghost is introduced into both of them : - 

 and a ghost is your only true specific for raising to their height the 

 energies of German genius. In truth, human nature is, with them, a 

 species of dream, which they entertain, but do not believe in the reality 

 of. With them, nothing is certain but that which, in its very nature, is 

 incapable of proof; nothing " comes home to their business and bosoms," 

 but that which has no existence ; 



" Nothing is, but what is not." 



They are the only true Berkleians, without knowing it. They do not 

 exactly believe a thing because it is incredible or impossible ; for this 

 would be coming to a sort of logical conclusion though by the rule of 

 contrary. But they doubt a thing the moment it seems credible ; and if 

 you can demonstrate it to be certain, they desire no better reason for 

 disbelieving and denying it outright ! And all this is done in perfect 

 M.M. New Series. VoL.V. No. 30. 4 K 



