UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 105 



" As to his madness, you may perceive that it 

 was feigned in order to prevent ^all suspicion, on 

 the part of the king, of the enterprise he was 

 engaged in ; and to confirm that idea he affects 

 a severity of conduct towards Ophelia in direct 

 opposition to his former sentiments. In the 

 distracted state of his mind, he could not pos- 

 sibly explain to her the cause of his suspended 

 affection. His ruling passion was to think, not 

 to act ; and all his principles of action were un- 

 hinged by the harassing scene around him. 

 Though he contrived the scene in the play to 

 prove the truth of the ghost's suggestions, yet he 

 appears to rest satisfied with the confirmation of 

 his suspicions, and declines to act upon them. 

 But, though his character does not shew strength 

 of will, it is every where marked by quick sen- 

 sibility, and refinement of thought. 



" The other characters have also great merit. 

 Ophelia is beautifully painted ; her love, her 

 madness, and her death, are described with the 

 truest touches of tenderness and pathos. Polo- 

 nius is an excellent representation of a large 

 class of men, who talk wisely and act foolishly. 

 The advice he gives his son is sensible, while 

 that to the king and queen respecting Hamlet's 

 madness is ridiculous ; but, the one is the sincere 

 advice of a father, the other that of a meddling 

 and officious courtier ; and throughout this part 



