nected, though many years ago, with the concerns of my unhappy friend, Raymond Neville; but we shall soon be in a way to obtain further information, for I have been so greatly struck with the appearance and manner both of him and his child, that I have asked them to make New-Place their home, until the former shall have sufficiently recovered to be able to pursue his journey. They will be here,” he continued, turning to Mrs. Shakspeare, "to-morrow morning; and I am pretty certain, from the little I have already seen of Helen Montchensey, that you, Susanna," addressing Mrs. Hall," will be delighted with her, so much is there of filial tenderness and guileless simplicity in all she says and does. Indeed I may venture to say, from the strong and heart-felt interest which their aged servant seems to take in their behalf, that our promised guests will, in all likelihood, prove characters of no common value; for I have ever found the attachment of a long-tried domestic an almost unerring index of the moral worth of the master. But I perceive," he added, “that your husband is crossing over the way, and it is probable, from the extensive knowledge which

his profession gives him of the families in this and the neighbouring counties, that he may throw some light on the subject of our enquiry."

"I can only say," replied the Doctor, taking his chair, “that our newly-acquired friend, Eustace Montchensey is, I understand, a man of considerable property in Derbyshire; that he lives in a very ancient manor-house on the banks of the Wye, and that, notwithstanding some peculiar traits in his character, and some singular occurrences in his family history, the particulars of which are said to be mixed up with no little mystery and contrariety of report, he is held by his neighbours in high respect and esteem. Beyond this I cannot go, but the accident which has now occurred, and which I am happy to say is not likely to be attended with any serious consequences, will, doubtless, in a short time render us familiar, not only with the characters of him and his daughter, who, by the by, is one of the most pleasing young women I have lately seen, but, in all probability, with some portion too of their domestic history." With this communication, scanty as it was, though at the same time calculated to excite

considerable curiosity, were the ladies of the party, for the present, compelled to be satisfied; consoling themselves with the reflection just suggested, that in a little time they should have ample opportunities of observing and judging for themselves. Soon after this, Dr. Hall and and his lady took their leave, after promising to be at New-Place early on the next day.

The morning rose bright and lovely, and immediately after breakfast Shakspeare, accompanied by his son-in-law, stepped over to the Falcon. They were received by Helen Montchensey with a smile, which told them, more emphatically than words could have done, that all was well; and, accordingly, Dr. Hall, on returning from the chamber of his patient, declared, that he thought him sufficiently recovered to venture on a removal.

With the assistance, therefore, of Peter, and the worthy landlord of the Falcon, Montchensey soon found himself securely lodged beneath a roof which he had often wished, and as often purposed to visit, though he had little calculated on an introduction to it in any manner approaching that to which he was now under the neces

sity of submitting. It was precisely the one, however, best adapted as it proved, to furnish him with the opportunity he had so long coveted, that of being placed in a situation to study the heart and habitudes of the man who more than any other individual, had stamped on his mind the conception of great and universal genius.

*

It may readily be conceived that he who could thus estimate the talents of our poet, was him

* It may, perhaps, be thought, that for the early period in which my story is laid, I have attributed to Montchensey, throughout this narrative, too critical and discriminative an admiration for the dramatic talents of Shakspeare. But, I am persuaded, the picture is not overcharged; for though a just appreciation of the genius of Shakspeare was by no means so general and extended in the reign of James as in these our own days, yet were there several exalted spirits among the contemporaries of the poet, who fully and critically knew the incomparable value of their countryman, and expressed their estimate too of his poetical character in terms which have not since been surpassed, if equalled; and I would particularly mention as instances of this, the poem of Ben Jonson, and the verses to which the initials J. M. S. are annexed, commencing "A mind reflecting ages past." This latter production, which was first prefixed to the folio of 1632, I have already noticed with high commendation in my "Shakspeare and his Times,” vol. ii. p. 545. et seq: and I must say, that I think it beyond all competition, the most powerful, comprehensive, and splendid poetical encomium on our immortal bard which has yet been produced.

self no ordinary character; and, indeed, there were few men who, either as to person, feature, or manner, more decidedly possessed the power of seizing and fixing attention.

Eustace Montchensey, the descendant of an ancient family in Derbyshire, was now in his forty-first year; but misfortune, and the current of acute feeling, had given to his features the appearance of more advanced life. In his form he was graceful and commanding, though thin and tall, while the lustre of a dark and penetrating eye was tempered by the pallor of his cheek, and by the expression on his countenance of a deep and rooted sorrow. At times, indeed, and when only in the presence of his daughter, the anxiety which had so long preyed upon his spirits, assumed the darker tone of anguish, and, apparently, of remorse; but a strong and highly cultivated intellect, an enthusiastic love for literature and the fine arts, and, above all, an ardent affection for his daughter, the lovely and amiable Helen, had hitherto contributed to mitigate and repress what might otherwise have proved too powerful for the integrity of his mind, or the vigour of his constitution.