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Well did Shakespeare know that such a letter must make an instant appeal to the sweet heart of Portia: "O love!" she cries, "despatch all business, and be gone!" All great poets are masters of a splendid prose, and had Shakespeare written some notable work of prose we may be sure it would even have surpassed the noble utterances of all his wonderful contemporaries.

She cheered me before I first sailed for America by saying that her people would like me. "Since seeing you in Portia and Letitia," she wrote, "I am convinced you will take America by storm." Certainly she took England by storm! But she abandoned her triumphs almost as soon as they were gained.

The organ beats a solemn accompaniment to this delicacy, and whether the strains from the ancient instrument that squeaks like a dilapidated bagpipes is too much for the curate, I know not; but, at the last verse, he removes his eyes from the pillar of the church and concentrates them upon Portia. Portia, at this particular moment, I regret to say, is smiling broadly.

Siddons made her first appearance on the London stage as Portia December 29, 1775, and conspicuously failed in the part on that occasion, but she became distinguished in it afterward; yet it is probable that Mrs. Siddons expressed its nobility more than its tenderness, and much more than its buoyant and glittering glee, which was so entirely and beautifully given by Ellen Terry.

PORTIA. The quality of mercy is not strained; It droppeth, as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath; it is twice blessed; It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes: 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown; His scepter shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty, Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; But mercy is above this sceptr'd sway, It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, It is an attribute to God himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God's When mercy seasons justice.

"They guessed our plan, and have fastened us to a pole or something, but I imagine we can untie it." Portia, who had come on deck, gave a short little laugh. "Why, of course we don't move," she said "we are anchored!" "What's that?" queried Mrs. Noah. "We never had an experience like that on the Ark." Portia explained the science of the anchor. "What nonsense!" ejaculated Mrs. Noah.

"I never entertained a shadow of a doubt with regard to him," she says, nobly, "never! Who could? I was always one of his very warmest supporters." This is too much! Portia murmuring something civil, but distinct, rises abruptly, and, going to the door, opens it, and is soon beyond call, and beyond hearing of the voice that has grown hateful to her.

Bassanio and Gratiano stood aghast, and Portia simpered at them sweetly in the intervals between dispensing stage directions to the boot boy, who was clad in his best suit for the occasion, and sent to and fro to change the arrangement of the scenery.

That Christopher should elect to leave the beautiful old Court to such a one seems little less than a crime to the "cousins and aunts." In this fact the certainty of his being pusillanimous about his accusation lies the proof of his guilt, to them. Portia is going over the whole sad story now again, while the sinner walks beside her.

If your love for me do not persuade you to come, let not my letter. "Oh, my dear love," said Portia, "despatch all business and begone; you shall have gold to pay the money twenty times over, before this kind friend shall lose a hair by my Bassanio's fault; and as you are so dearly bought, I will dearly love you."