so may find this shown in a few pages
of Mr. Grant White's essay on Shakespeare's genius. ("Life and Genius
of Shakespeare," pp. 298-302.) If we are to have a peculiarly American
view of Shakespeare, pray let us have one founded upon thorough
knowledge and taken in a fair spirit. Not that we mean that Mr. Wilkes
is intentionally unfair, but that his judgment has been perverted by
his strong democratic feeling, and that he seems not to have been able
to investigate his subject with the research which it properly demands.

We are sorry to observe also a reckless tone of disparagement running
through Mr. Wilkes's book. True, Shakespeare's reputation may be able
to bear it; but for the very reason of Shakespeare's preeminence the
world--the thoughtful part of it at least--would welcome a close,
careful, and competent examination of his claims, even in an adverse
spirit. Such an examination Mr. Wilkes, notwithstanding the
voluminousness and the method of his book, has not been able to give
them. It is not--for example, in his chapter on the "Merchant of
Venice"--by calling Antonio a "blackguard" and a "ruffian," and
Bassanio "an unprincipled, penniless adventurer, a mere tavern
spendthrift and carouser, who borrows money that he may cheat a wealthy
maiden of her dower," by calling Gratiano and Lorenzo "poodles and
parasites," the first of whom "is willing to put up with Portia's
waiting maid Nerissa," that Mr. Wilkes can hope to win respect for an
American view of Shakespeare. If Mr. Wilkes had informed himself more
thoroughly in regard to the manners of Antonio's time, he would have
found that in those days men, otherwise kind-hearted and generous,
treated Jews as he treated Shylock; that Nerissa was probably, if not
surely, as well born and as well bred as her mistress was; and that
Bassanio's desire to marry an heiress, beautiful, loving, and by him
beloved, was not peculiar to the hero of the "Merchant of Venice."
Indeed, very estimable men have not been found averse to such a
proceeding in these days, and even in America. And what is strange the
beautiful heiresses have forgiven them, and if they behaved kindly and
lovingly as husbands, have been very happy, strange as it may seem. Why
should Mr. Wilkes speak of Bassanio's going to Belmont "to swindle
Portia"? He does no such thing. Such criticism of Shakespeare, if it
were truly and representatively American, would justly hold America up
to the world's ridicule.

Sc