h the same
gentleness, notwithstanding the resentment he still retained for their
conduct with regard to him. Soissons was the place whither these enemies
of the King retired,[6] protected by a strong escort. His majesty then
published a general pardon for all the French who had borne arms against
him. When this sacrifice is not extorted by necessity, but, on the
contrary, made at a time when vengeance has full liberty to satiate
itself, it is not one of the least marks of a truly royal disposition.

[6]The King had a mind to see them march out, and viewed them from
a window over St. Denis' gate. They all saluted him with their
hats off, bowing profoundly low. The King, with great politeness,
returned the salute to the principal officers, adding these words:
"Remember me to your master; go, I permit you, but return no
more." This anecdote agrees with that in the _Memoirs for the
History of France_, but is contradicted by the _Journal_ written
by the same author.

CULMINATION OF DRAMATIC LITERATURE IN "HAMLET"

A.D. 1601

JAMES O. HALLIWELL-PHILLIPPS

The tragedy of _Hamlet_ is generally regarded by critics as
Shakespeare's masterpiece. Hence it is often referred to as the
highest literary product of human genius. In the following
discussion of the play, Mr. J. O. Halliwell-Phillipps, the master
and dean of later Shakespearean scholars, gives 1601 as the probable
date of its first production. At that time Shakespeare was a London
actor, and leading shareholder in the Globe Theatre, where his play
was presumably produced. He had made his first big success some five
years before with _Romeo and Juliet_, and was, so far as we can
judge, on the high tide of financial prosperity. The profession of
an actor carried with it in those days much discredit, but in his
far-off home at Stratford, Shakespeare had in 1601 already begun to
seek the repute of a country gentleman, and had purchased the finest
house and estate in the little village.

Mr. Halliwell-Phillipps' _Memoranda on Hamlet_ were never thrown
into final shape by the author. Therefore the editors have taken
such slight liberties in rearranging the order of his text as were
necessary to make its discourse consecutive.

The tragedy of _Hamlet_ is unquestionably the highest e