Co.)—We are afraid this contribution to Shakespearian literature will be
found to possess little or no value ; the so-called analysis is of a very loose and rambling character, and shows such a want of analytical power that wo hold that the author has mistaken his capacity. For example, Lady Macbeth is stated " to have once been a devoted daughter ; an affectionate mother." The only evidence adduced of the former statement is, " Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done 't." From these words is drawn the large inference, " Such a loving memory must have been based on the happy past. of a dutiful childhood." The only evidence adduced "that she had been an affectionate and good mother to her children " is the quotation, "I have given suck, and know how tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me." What about the maternal sentiment that immediately follows those words ?—" I would, while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from its boneless gums, and dashed the brains out." In page 17 she is referred to as "an incarnate Send," and in page 21 as "a fallen angel." We do not mul- tiply specimens of such analysis. If we except Jaques, the characters
in As You Like It are so simple that an ordinary reader, if he wants,
may analyse them for himself. He will not got much help for an estimate of Jaques from this book. Jaques is declared to be a cynic
and a pessimist ; but we are told shortly afterwards that "the acrid pessimism of his language may be regarded as assumed, and, there- fore, not to be taken au slirieux."
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