SHAKESPEARE AND INTEMPERANCE.
Fro THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] agree with Mr. Fletcher (in the Spectator of July 1st) that a good deal of mischief is done by the absurd habit of identifying Shakespeare with the people whom he has drawn. But surely one may assume that he is more in sympathy with some of his characters than with others, and—to take the question which gave rise to this discussion—that the words of Cassio in his repentance more nearly express Shakespeare's feeling, than the drunken utterances of Sir Toby Belch. Yet how often have I heard people who take Mr. Fletcher's side in the controversy, say : "Shakespeare says,—Because thou art virtuous, shall there be no more cakes and ale P" No doubt the champions of unlimited liquor are not "hare-brained faddists ; " for that phrase is generally applied to disinterested enthusiasts. I write without prejudice, as I am not only no teetotaler, but not even a local optionist. Nevertheless, I think Sir W. Lawson's quotation is a good deal fairer as a Shakespearian sentiment, than the quotation from the publicans' hero, Sir Toby Belch.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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