volume which he examined, of its having been placed there not for ostentation, but for use, that the variety and extent of Shakspeare's reading appeared to him, taking into consideration how busy had been the tenor of his past life, almost as extraordinary as the depth and originality of his genius.

Whilst thus engaged, and at the moment occupied in turning over a copy of the English Gesta Romanorum of Richard Robinson, the bard of Avon entered; and here we may be allowed to introduce the sketch which Montchensey, in writing shortly afterwards to a friend in town, gave of the personal appearance of the poet on this occasion. "Pain and sickness," he observes," had hitherto disinclined me, notwithstanding all my enthusiasm on the subject, for any very critical consideration of the features and person of the bard; but on this auspicious morning, comparatively free from suffering, and animated by the scene around me, I felt an eager and anticipated delight in the opportunity I was about to enjoy, not only of contemplating, under more favourable circumstances as to myself, the manners and person of

my generous host, but of unburthening my heart of the deep and almost overwhelming sense which it entertained of his kindness and benevolence. Conceive then, my dear Charles, for I know thou art an admirer, almost as ardent as myself, of the author of Hamlet and Macbeth, conceive the door of this interesting little study opening, and Shakspeare coming forward with a smile of the most fascinating good humour, to congratulate your friend on his recovery. There was, indeed, an expression of so much sweetness and benignity in his features, that I thought I had never beheld a more interesting countenance. You will tell me this was partly owing to irresistible prepossession in his favour; it may have been so; but I will endeavour to be more particular. He appeared to me in height about the middle size, not corpulent, but rather full in his person, which, notwithstanding he is in his fifty-second year, may be still justly termed handsome, as well as correctly and finely formed. His forehead, high and unusually ample in its dimensions, is nobly expanded, and his hair, which is thinly scattered on the top of his head, clusters thickly about his temples and neck, and

is of a beautiful auburn colour. His eyes, in a most remarkable degree pleasing in their expression, yet, at the same time, profoundly indicatory of the mighty mind within, are of a light and lively hazel, with brows that form nearly a complete arch. To this description, if I add the undulating outline of the nose, the dimpled expression of the cheeks, the perfect symmetry of the mouth, and the open sweetness of the lips, you may form to yourself a pretty accurate picture of the bard, more especially when I further remark, that the contour of his face is oval, the upper lip surmounted by a mustachio with the extremities slightly elevated, and the chin covered by a pointed beard. It may be necessary, also, in order to render my portrait more striking, to say something of his dress, which, at this morning's interview, consisted of a loose black gown, or tabard, without sleeves, a rich doublet of scarlet cloth, hose of dark grey, and boots or buskins of russet-coloured leather.” *

I have endeavoured, both in this instance, and in every other, during the course of the narrative, which admits of any appeal to record or tradition, to adhere with scrupulous accu

Such was the minute representation which Montchensey, who fixed the highest value on every thing connected with the name of Shakspeare, transmitted to his friend of the features and person of the bard, as he appeared to him on entering his library at New-Place on this memorable morning.

There was something, indeed, so frank, and disengaged, and, at the same time, so perfectly cordial and unaffected, both in the looks and language of Shakspeare, not only on this occasion, but in all his intercourse with those for whom he felt any regard, that it was scarcely possible for any individual so circumstanced, not to feel easy and assured in his society. As soon, therefore, as Montchensey had expressed in a more full and energetic manner than he had hitherto been able to do, his deep sense of

racy to what has been left us with regard to costume, dress, or personal features. Thus, the tabard and doublet which I have given to Shakspeare, are exactly those in which he appeared on his monument at Stratford, previous to its being washed with a stone colour. It should also be recollected, that male attire in the reign of James the First, was, in order to please the taste of that monarch, singularly showy.

the kindness which he had experienced beneath his roof, in doing which, however, he had to encounter several good humoured attempts at interruption from his friendly host, then pointing to the well-laden shelves which surrounded him, "I have been amusing myself during your absence," he said, "in turning over a few of the many very curious and valuable volumes which, in history, poetry, and romantic fiction, you have been so fortunate as to get together; and astonished I am, I must confess, when I recollect how entirely your time has been occupied, and from a very early period, too, by the stage, both as an actor, manager, and poet, to find you have been not only a copious collector, but likewise a very diligent reader."

"Your surprise will be diminished," returned the poet with a smile," when you shall perceive, that, with the exception of a very few books in French and Italian, the whole of this collection travels not beyond our native tongue. Time has not been spared me to cultivate what little knowledge I obtained at school of the learned languages; and, thanks to the crowd of translators who honoured the reign of our great and glori