of time;--and although the imagination may supersede perception, yet it must be granted to be an imperfection--however easily tolerated--to place the two in broad contradiction to each other. In truth, it is a mere accident of terms; for the Trilogy of the Greek theatre was a drama in three acts, and notwithstanding this, what strange contrivances as to place there are in the Aristophanic Frogs. Besides, if the law of mere actual perception is once violated--as it repeatedly is even in the Greek tragedies--why is it more difficult to imagine three hours to be three years than to be a whole day and night? Observe in how many ways Othello is made, first, our acquaintance, then our friend, then the object of our anxiety, before the deeper interest is to be approached! Ib. 'Mont'. But, good lieutenant, is your general wiv'd? 'Cas'. Most fortunately: he hath achiev'd a maid That paragons description, and wild fame; One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens, And, in the essential vesture of creation, Does bear all excellency. Here is Cassio's warm-hearted, yet perfectly disengaged, praise of Desdemona, and sympathy with the 'most fortunately' wived Othello;--and yet Cassio is an enthusiastic admirer, almost a worshipper, of Desdemona. O, that detestable code that excellence cannot be loved in any form that is female, but it must needs be selfish! Observe Othello's 'honest,' and Cassio's 'bold' Iago, and Cassio's full guileless-hearted wishes for the safety and love-raptures of Othello and 'the divine Desdemona.' And also note the exquisite circumstance of Cassio's kissing Iago's wife, as if it ought to be impossible that the dullest auditor should not feel Cassio's religious love of Desdemona's purity. Iago's answers are the sneers which a proud bad intellect feels towards woman, and expresses to a wife. Surely it ought to be considered a very exalted compliment to women, that all the sarcasms on them in Shakspeare are put in the mouths of villains. Ib. 'Des'. I am not merry; but I do beguile, &c. The struggle of courtesy in Desdemona to abstract her attention. Ib. ('Iago aside'). He takes her by the palm: Ay, well said, whisper; with as little a web as this, will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do, &c. The importance given to trifles, and made fertile by the villainy of the observer. 'Ib.' Iago's dialogue with Roderigo: This is the rehearsal on the dupe of the traitor's intentions on Othello. 'Ib.' Iago's soliloquy: But partly led to diet my revenge, For that I do suspect the lusty Moor Hath leap'd into my seat. This thought, originally by Iago's own confession a mere suspicion, is now ripening, and gnaws his base nature as his own 'poisonous mineral' is about to gnaw the noble heart of his general. 'Ib.' sc. 3. Othello's speech: I know, Iago, Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, Making it light to Cassio.