The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 10, No. 280, October 27, 1827

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Various. The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 10, No. 280, October 27, 1827

Illustrations of Shakspeare

NO. XIII. ELSINEUR, FROM HAMLET'S GARDEN

ON THE APPEARANCE OF AN AURORA BOREALIS, ON THE NIGHT OF THE 25TH OF SEPTEMBER

THE SELECTOR, AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS

CHRONICLES OF THE CANONGATE

The Two Drovers

ARCANA OF SCIENCE

SINGULAR ASSASSINATION IN KINCARDINESHIRE

USE OF HORSE-CHESTNUTS

A FETCH

TEA

PORSON

THE DRAMA AND ITS PROFESSORS

MEMORY

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS

ON COALHEAVERS

TRAVELLING FARE

ENGLISH FRUITS

THE GATHERER

TO CHLOE, AT SIXTY

HEREDITARY TALENT IN ACTORS

PRISON TORTURE

THE DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE

KITCHEN CONUNDRUM

DEAR TIMES

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We augur that the above will prove one of the most interesting of our Shakspearian Illustrations, inasmuch as the garden where Hamlet was wont to revel in the fitful dreams of his philosophic melancholy, is holy ground. "The lapse of ages and the fables of the poet," says a delighted visiter, "were all lost in the reality of Shakspeare's painting: the moment of his scene seemed present with me; and eager to traverse every part of this consecrated ground, I had already followed Hamlet every where; I had measured the deep shadows of the platform, encountered the grey ghost of the Royal Dane, had killed Polonius in the queen's closet, and drowned poor Ophelia in the willowed stream. The modern aspect of Elsineur is, however, far from inviting, and not a single vestige presents itself that bears the smallest trace of this town ever having been hallowed by the mausoleum of an Ophelia, or proudly decorated with the stately walls of a royal palace."

About a mile from the town is a place that bears the name of Hamlet's garden. Here is no relic of ancient interest, excepting the tradition, which affirms that to be the spot where once stood the Danish palace, and where was enacted that tragedy, which has been so gloriously immortalized by the genius of our great dramatic bard.

.....

Robin Oig stopped, half embarrassed, half laughing, and signing to those around that he only complied with the old woman to soothe her humour. In the meantime, she traced around him, with wavering steps, the propitiation, which some have thought has been derived from the Druidical mythology. It consists, as is well known, in the person who makes the deasil, walking three times round the person who is the object of the ceremony, taking care to move according to the course of the sun. At once, however, she stopped short, and exclaimed, in a voice of alarm and horror, "Grandson of my father, there is blood on your hand." "Hush, for God's sake, aunt," said Robin Oig; "you will bring more trouble on yourself with this Taishataragh (second sight) than you will be able to get out of for many a day."

The old woman only repeated, with a ghastly look, "There is blood on your hand, and it is English blood. The blood of the Gael is richer and redder. Let us see—let us—"

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