a strange dress; but when I saw the little man so
frightened himself, it was that which took hold of me." "And dost thou
imagine, then, Partridge," cries Jones, "that he was really
frightened?" "Nay, sir," said Partridge, "did not you yourself observe
afterwards, when he found it was his own father's spirit, and how he
was murdered in the garden, how his fear forsook him by degrees, and he
was struck dumb with sorrow, as it were, just as I should have been,
had it been my own case?--But hush! O la! what noise is that? There
he is again.----Well to be certain, though I know there is nothing at
all in it, I am glad I am not down yonder, where those men are." Then
turning his eyes again upon Hamlet, "Ay, you may draw your sword; what
signifies a sword against the power of the devil?"

During the second act, Partridge made very few remarks. He greatly
admired the fineness of the dresses; nor could he help observing upon
the king's countenance. "Well," said he, "how people may be deceived
by faces! _Nulla fides fronti_ is, I find, a true saying. Who would
think, by looking in the king's face, that he had ever committed a
murder?" He then inquired after the ghost; but Jones, who intended
that he should be surprised, gave him no other satisfaction, than,
"that {68} he might possibly see him again soon, and in a flash of
fire."

Partridge sat in a fearful expectation of this; and now, when the ghost
made his appearance, Partridge cried out, "There, sir, now; what say
you now? is he frightened now or no? As much frightened as you think
me, and, to be sure, nobody can help some fears. I would not be in so
bad a condition as what's his name, squire Hamlet, is there, for all
the world. Bless me! what's become of the spirit? As I am a living
soul, I thought I saw him sink into the earth." "Indeed, you saw
right," answered Jones. "Well, well," cries Partridge, "I know it is
only a play: and besides, if there was anything in all this, Madam
Miller would not laugh so; for as to you, sir, you would not be afraid,
I believe, if the devil was here in person.--There, there--Ay, no
wonder you are in such a passion, shake the vile wicked wretch to
pieces. If she was my own mother, I would serve her so. To be sure
all duty to a mother is forfeited by such wicked doings.----Ay, go
about your business, I hate the sight of you."

Our critic was now pretty silent till the play, which Hamlet introduces
before the king. This