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his days； to a life of obscurity in a small town in the midland
countiesall seem to unite in proving the shrinking nature of
the man； and his unconquerable shyness。
It is also probable that； besides being shyand his shyness may；
like that of Byron； have been increased by his limpShakspeare
did not possess in any high degree the gift of hope。 It is a
remarkable circumstance； that whilst the great dramatist has； in
the course of his writings； copiously illustrated all other gifts；
affections； and virtues； the passages are very rare in which Hope
is mentioned； and then it is usually in a desponding and
despairing tone； as when he says：
〃The miserable hath no other medicine； But only Hope。〃
Many of his sonnets breathe the spirit of despair and
hopelessness。 （7） He laments his lameness； （8） apologizes for his
profession as an actor； （9） expresses his 〃fear of trust〃 in
himself； and his hopeless； perhaps misplaced； affection； （10）
anticipates a 〃coffin'd doom；〃 and utters his profoundly pathetic
cry 〃for restful death。〃
It might naturally be supposed that Shakspeare's profession of an
actor； and his repeated appearances in public； would speedily
overcome his shyness； did such exist。 But inborn shyness； when
strong； is not so easily conquered。 （11） Who could have believed
that the late Charles Mathews； who entertained crowded houses
night after night； was naturally one of the shyest of men？ He
would even make long circuits （lame though he was） along the
byelanes of London to avoid recognition。 His wife says of him；
that he looked 〃sheepish〃 and confused if recognised； and that his
eyes would fall； and his colour would mount； if he heard his name
even whispered in passing along the streets。 （12）
Nor would it at first sight have been supposed that Lord Byron was
affected with shyness； and yet he was a victim to it； his
biographer relating that； while on a visit to Mrs。 Pigot； at
Southwell； when he saw strangers approaching； he would instantly
jump out of the window； and escape on to the lawn to avoid them。
But a still more recent and striking instance is that of the late
Archbishop Whately； who； in the early part of his life； was
painfully oppressed by the sense of shyness。 When at Oxford； his
white rough coat and white hat obtained for him the soubriquet of
〃The White Bear；〃 and his manners； according to his own account of
himself； corresponded with the appellation。 He was directed； by
way of remedy； to copy the example of the best…mannered men he met
in society； but the attempt to do this only increased his shyness；
and he failed。 He found that he was all the while thinking of
himself； rather than of others； whereas thinking of others； rather
than of one's self； is of the true essence of politeness。
Finding that he was making no progress； Whately was driven to
utter despair； and then he said to himself： 〃Why should I endure
this torture all my life to no purpose？ I would bear it still if
there was any success to be hoped for； but since there is not； I
will die quietly； without taking any more doses。 I have tried my
very utmost； and find that I must be as awkward as a bear all my
life； in spite of it。 I will endeavour to think as little about
it as a bear； and make up my mind to endure what can't be cured。〃
From this time forth he struggled to shake off all consciousness
as to manner； and to disregard censure as much as possible。 In
adopting this course； he says： 〃I succeeded beyond my
expectations； for I not only got rid of the personal suffering of
shyness； but also of most of those faults of manner which
consciousness produces； and acquired at once an easy and natural
mannercareless； indeed； in the extreme； from its originating in
a stern defiance of opinion； which I had convinced myself must be
ever against me； rough and awkward； for smoothness and grace are
quite out of my way； and； of course； tutorially pedantic； but
unconscious； and therefore giving expression to that goodwill
towards men which I really feel； and these； I believe； are
the main points。〃 （13）
Washington； who was an Englishman in his lineage； was also one in
his shyness。 He is described incidentally by Mr。 Josiah Quincy；
as 〃a little stiff in his person； not a little formal in his
manner； and not particularly at ease in the presence of strangers。
He had the air of a country gentleman not accustomed to mix much
in society； perfectly polite； but not easy in his address and
conversation； and not graceful in his movements。〃
Although we are not accustomed to think of modern Americans as
shy； the most distinguished American author of our time was
probably the shyest of men。 Nathaniel Hawthorne was shy to the
extent of morbidity。 We have observed him； when a stranger
entered the room where he was； turn his back for the purpose of
avoiding recognition。 And yet； when the crust of his shyness was
broken； no man could be more cordial and genial than Hawthorne。
We observe a remark in one of Hawthorne's lately…published
'Notebooks；' （14） that on one occasion he met Mr。 Helps in society；
and found him 〃cold。〃 And doubtless Mr。 Helps thought the same of
him。 It was only the case of two shy men meeting； each thinking
the other stiff and reserved； and parting before their mutual film
of shyness had been removed by a little friendly intercourse。
Before pronouncing a hasty judgment in such cases； it would be
well to bear in mind the motto of Helvetius； which Bentham says
proved such a real treasure to him： 〃POUR AIMER LES HOMMES； IL
FAUT ATTENDRE PEU。〃
We have thus far spoken of shyness as a defect。 But there is
another way of looking at it； for even shyness has its bright
side； and contains an element of good。 Shy men and shy races are
ungraceful and undemonstrative； because； as regards society at
large； they are comparatively unsociable。 They do not possess
those elegances of manner； acquired by free intercourse； which
distinguish the social races； because their tendency is to shun
society rather than to seek it。 They are shy in the presence of
strangers； and shy even in their own families。 They hide their
affections under a robe of reserve； and when they do give way to
their feelings； it is only in some very hidden inner…chamber。 And
yet the feelings ARE there； and not the less healthy and genuine
that they are not made the subject of exhibition to others。
It was not a little characteristic of the ancient Germans； that
the more social and demonstrative peoples by whom they were
surrounded should have characterised them as the NIEMEC； or Dumb
men。 And the same designation might equally apply to the modern
English； as compared； for example； with their nimbler； more
communicative and vocal； and in all respects more social
neighbours； the modern French and Irish。
But there is one characteristic which marks the English people； as
it did the races from which they have mainly sprun