THE FASCINATION OF BEARS.
[To THE EDITOR or THE "SPECTATOR."] SIE,—Has not the writer of the above article misrepresented the character of Slender ? Surely, as his name indicates and- as he is usually enacted, he is a thin man of poor phyaique- and somewhat fearsome, "with a little wee face" as his servant says, quite the opposite of a "bold fellow" with " manly strength and composure," as your writer describes him. He shrinks from Bardolph and Pistol after charging them with theft. In the scene in front of Mistress Page's house at Windsor, as I have seen it staged, there is a garden with wicket, outside which Slender stands talking with "sweet Anne Page." The barking of dogs is heard, and be asks her " Why do your dogs bark so ? " adding, with some trepidation, " Be there bears i' the town ? " Upon Anne's saying "I think there are, sir," he hastily takes refuge inside the wicket gate, closing it and leaving her outside, while he talks of bear-baiting being meat and drink to him. This appears to be intended by Shakespeare—who ridicules him throughout—as merely bragging or, as some now say, "swanking," in presence of the girl.—I am, Sir, &c., G. B. N.
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