_"Farewell, good Launcelot-- Alack, what heinous sin it is in me To be ashamed to be my father's child! But though I am a daughter to his blood, I am not to his manners; O Lorenzo, If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife; Become a Christian, and thy loving wife!"_ This beautiful Jewess forswears her birth and religion for infatuated love, and throws to the winds all duty and honor as a daughter; a renegade of matchless quality, stealing her father's money and jewels to elope with the fascinating Christian Lorenzo. The Hebrew race has not produced many Jessicas; and the morality taught by Shakspere of a daughter "fooling her father" is base and rotten in principle. Shylock says to his daughter: _"Well, Jessica, go in to the house, Perhaps I will return immediately; Do as I bid you; Shut doors after you; fast bind, fast find, A proverb never stale in thrifty mind."_ Then at the turn of his back the beautiful fraud Jessica says: _"Farewell, and if my fortune be not crost, I have a father, you a daughter, lost!"_ Lorenzo with his friends appear under the window of Shylock's house to steal away Jessica, and she appears above in boy's clothes, and asks: _"Who are you? Tell me for more certainty, Albeit, I'll swear that I do know your tongue."_ He responds: _"Lorenzo and thy love."_ Jessica before leaving her home spouts the following stuff to her lover: _"Here, catch this casket, it is worth the pains; I am glad 'tis night, you do not look on me; For I am much ashamed of my exchange; But love is blind, and lovers cannot see The pretty follies that themselves commit; For if they could, Cupid himself would blush To see me thus transformed to a boy. I will make fast the doors, and gild myself With some more ducats, and be with you straight!"_ Nice specimen of a dutiful daughter. Contrast the conduct of the Christian Portia with the Hebrew Jessica, and the latter's action is thoroughly reprehensible. Portia obeys the injunction and will of a dead father, while Jessica violates criminally the duty she owes a live father, who is in the toils of personal and official swindlers. Portia in her palace awaits foreign and domestic suitors for her hand, heart and wealth. The Prince of Morocco and his train first appear. Portia in her splendid drawing room receives the Prince, and says to her waiting maid: _"Go draw aside the curtains, and discover The several caskets to this noble prince;-- Now make your choice!"_ The Prince reads the inscriptions on the three caskets, gold, silver and lead: "Who chooseth me, shall gain what many men desire." "Who chooseth me, shall get as much as he deserves." "Who chooseth me, must give and hazard all he hath." The Prince asks: _"How shall I know if I do choose the right?"_ Portia replies: