the body in a dance. And so long as young people keep within the beautiful circle of moderation, their example is not a dangerous one. I am fully aware that there are what we generally term dancing-rooms, of a very questionable description, where young men spend their midnight hours in debauchery-not merely dancing, but also drinking, smoking, and gambling. I have often thought that if the latter pleasures were not permitted, fewer lewd and vicious characters would frequent those places; the simple act of dancing does not make young men immoral "It is wine," says Solomon, "that causes the eyes to behold strange women, and the heart to utter perverse things." Solomon is a high authority, for he was a man of great experience in these matters. It is unfair to charge dancing with crimes which are the results of other causes. Let us have recreation, without intoxication: eject the cards, and do away with the wine-for where dancing has ruined one young man, these things have ruined a thousand.

The popular preacher has just said, "that he thinks dancing is a most healthy amusement, and should be freely indulged in; but thought males and females should dance apart." The concluding clause, or sentiment, is rather a novel one. Females are our helpmeets; they help us to work, they share our sorrows, and with us ought to share our joys. Surely, Mr. Spurgeon must have forgotten the prophecy of Jeremiah, where where he distinctly assures us that in the last days, "The VIRGIN, the young man, and the old man, shall rejoice together, in the dance." Depend upon it, it is a good thing to shake off the corroding dust of business, and, at "well-judged intervals," to join in merry amusement; for it requires no very great stretch of imagination to picture what life would be without it. Why, it would be like the world without the sun, life without love, or a garden without flowers. These and similar thoughts should prevent impulse doing the work of

*Weekly Press, January 2, 1858. + Jeremiah, xxxi. 13.

deliberation. As rational beings we should on all occasions exercise thought and discretion; therefore, when speaking of, or when participating in any of the lawful recreations and pleasures of the day, ever be careful to avoid fanaticism on the one hand, and laxity on the other. "Let us eat, drink, and be merry," but not forget God and eternity. Let us drink of pleasure's cup, but not drink too deeply; drink to be refreshed, so that the various duties of life may be discharged with pleasure, cheerfulness, and activity. Recollect that excess in any pleasure is always criminal. Never make a toil of it, or you at once prostitute its very name and nature. Keep it in subordination; make it your servant, do not let it become your master. Above all, let consistency of conduct pervade our every act; let Christian principle cause us to be circumspect in manners and conversation; then we shall be living arguments in favour of innocent pleasures, for we shall be gentlemanly, courteous, kind, and obliging; our conduct will not prove a stumbling-block to the young inquirer, neither shall we be a byword of reproach amongst the ungodly, for it will be seen that we can so use the world as not to abuse it, and that we have not permitted pleasure to interfere with the higher and more important duties of life, nor allowed it to ruin our character, our health, or our religion.

SHAKESPERE.

BY TOM DENNIS KENDALL.

[Delivered at the age of 15, before the members of St. James's Mutual Improvement Society, Hull.]

I love to rove o'er history's page,
Recall the hero and the sage,
Revive the actions of the dead
And memory of ages fled;
Yet it yields me greater pleasure
To read the poet's pleasing measure.
Led by Shakespere-bard inspired!
The bosom's energies are fired;
We learn to shed the generous tear
O'er poor Ophelia's sacred bier;
To love the merry moonlit scene,
With fairy elves in valleys green!

Mrs. Hemans.

"SUCH was the genius of Shakespere, so bright is the halo of his glory, so dazzling is the effulgence of his fame, that the eyes of his worshippers have been well nigh blinded in the contemplation of it." Thus has it been said of the genius of Shakespere, and no wonder, when we think of such a collection of beauties as we find in his works. Subjects common to other authors, Shakespere has surpassed them all in, while there are numerous ideas peculiar to himself in which he stands unrivalled.

Dodd, in his "Beauties of Shakespere," compares his genius to an eagle (as the properest emblem of its daring) that soars far beyond the common reach, and

then gazes undazzled on the sun. His flights are sometimes so bold frigid criticism almost dares to disapprove them; and those narrow minds which are incapable of elevating their ideas to the sublimity of their author's are willing to bring them down to a level with their own.” To pass any encomiums upon Shakespere's talents I shall not attempt, but content myself with the following lines selected from his writings, which I think will be a sufficient justification for my not doing so :—

To gild refined gold, to paint the lily,
To throw a perfume on the violet-
To smooth the ice, or add another
Hue unto the rainbow, or with taper light

To seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish,
Is wasteful and ridiculous excess.

Before proceeding further, I shall give you a little information concerning the early life of this immortal bard. William Shakespere was born at Stratford-on-Avon, in Warwickshire. Tradition fixes his birthday as the 23rd of April, 1564. He was the son of John Shakespere and Mary Arden, and was the descendant of one of the most illustrious families in that county. This latter fact has been disputed by one author, although he does not show upon what grounds. Various trades have been assigned to the father of William; for instance, one says he was a butcher, another a glover, and another a woolcomber. That of a glover seems to be the most likely. William was one of a large family, five of whom only outlived childhood. There are few fàcts known concerning how the early life of our poet was spent. It has been stated that he received the first rudiments of education at the Grammar School of his native place, upon leaving which he was apprenticed to an attorney, and at the early age of eighteen married Anne Hathaway, who was seven years older than himself. We are also told that having fallen into the company of a gang of deer stealers, he was obliged to flee from his native town for stealing deer in the park of Sir Thomas Lucy, of Charlecote. This latter piece of in

telligence has been disputed also, and one author goes so far to set the disputed point at rest, by positively stating, that although there might be deer, yet there was no park at that time for him to steal out of. In my opinion, there is no reason to doubt the authenticity of the first statement, although many of those who are not numbered among his most ardent admirers are apt to clutch at this statement as one great blot upon the moral character of the poet. It is said that he afterwards aggravated his offence by penning a satire upon the Knight, who was a county magistrate.

After his arrival in London, the natural inclination of his mind towards the stage led him to visit or loiter about the doors of playhouses; and it is said, that he was in the habit of holding the horses of persons visiting the theatre. In connection with this subject, Dr. Johnson gives the following, which although it is rather long I cannot forbear quoting :" In the time of Elizabeth, coaches being yet unknown, and hired coaches not being in use, those who were too proud, too tender, or too idle to walk, went on horseback to any distant business. Many came on horseback to the play; and when Shakespere fled to London from the terror of a criminal prosecution, his first expedient was to wait at theatre doors, and hold the horses of those who had no servant, so that they might be ready again after the performance. In this office he became so conspicuous for his care and readiness, that after a short time every man, as he alighted, called for Will Shakespere,' and scarcely any other waiter was trusted with a horse while Will could be had. Soon Shakespere found the number of horses too many for him to hold, and he hired boys to wait under his inspection. When Shakespere was therefore summoned, these boys presented themselves as I am Shakespere's boy, Sir.' In course of time, 'Will found higher and better employment, but as long as the custom of riding to the playhouse continued, waiters that held the horses, retained the name of Shakespere's boy.""

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