with grief when Fengo announced to them his sudden death in England.  The king, inflamed with so ruinous a disappointment, and becoming doubly jealous of his growing popularity, now affected no conciliation, but openly manifested his hatred and hostility.  Hamlet again had recourse to his pretended madness, and committed so many alarming acts, that Fengo, fearing their direction, ordered his sword to be locked in its scabbard, under a plea of guarding the lunatic from personal harm, After various adventures, at last the prince accomplished the death of his uncle’s adherents, and vengeance on the fratricide himself, by setting fire to the palace during the debauch of a midnight banquet.  Rushing amidst the flames, he kills Fengo with his own hand, reproaching him at the moment with his murder, adultery, and incest.  Immediately on this act of retribution he was proclaimed lawful successor to the throne, and crowned with all due solemnity.

Thus far Shakspeare treads in the steps of the annalist; the only difference is in the fate of the hero; in the one he finds a kingdom, in the other a grave.  Saxo Grammaticus carries the history further; and after the crowning of Hamlet as king, brings him again into Britain, where, in compliment to that land of beauty, he marries a second wife, the daughter of a Scottish king.  Hamlet brought both his wives to Denmark, and prepared for a long life of prosperity and peace.  But the sword hung over his head; war burst around him, and he fell in combat by the hand of Vigelotes, son of Ruric.  Saxo Grammaticus sums up his character in a few words:  “He was a wise prince and a great warrior.  Like Achilles, he had the principal actions of his life wrought on his shield.  The daughter of the king of Scotland casting her eye on it, loved him for the battles he had won, and became his bride.”

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SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

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ENGLISH FRUITS.

(Concluded from page 295.)

The Vine.—­The value and transcendant excellence of this foreign fruit is too well known to require any extended account in this paper; as a native of the southern verge of the northern temperate zone, it only requires its natural degree of heat to bring it to perfection.  The growth is luxuriant, is fertile, easy of management, and as it requires support, obedient to the trainer’s will.  Many excellent varieties ate in our stoves and vineries; differing in hardness, size of bunches, and in colour and flavour of fruit.  These, it is likely, have been gained from seeds; and as its cultivation has been primaeval with the inhabitants of the earth, no wonder it received, for its unequalled utility, their chiefest care.