PLATES.

TEMPEST.

PROSPERO, MIRANDA, and CALIBAN all grow older until the play commences; after which the very short duration of time renders an alteration unnecessary, and even incorrect. The island is considered as much improved, under the cultivated taste of PROSPERO, from its original state, when only under the dominion of SYCORAX.

I.

SYCORAX putting ARIEL into the Pine.

"Refusing her grand hests, she did confine thee,

By help of her more potent ministers,

And in her most unmitigable rage

Into a cloven pine."

II.

PROSPERO seized by his brother while at his studies.

and, i' the dead of darkness,

The ministers for the purpose hurried thence
Me, and thy crying self."

Thou wast, that did preserve me! Thou didst smile,
Infused with a fortitude from heaven,

GONZALO had furnished him with stuffs, and necessaries, and books, which he prized above his dukedom.

CALIBAN is sitting in the background, evidently displeased at ARIEL'S release from his mother's punishment.

V.

CALIBAN showing PROSPERO

"The qualities o' the isle,

The fresh springs, brine-pits," &c.

ACT I. S. 2.

"And I with my long nails will dig thee pignuts.”

ACT II. S. 2.

CALIBAN is represented digging pignuts, as most characteristic of his nature, and that being one of his offers to STEPHANO on a future occasion.

VI.

PROSPERO instructing CALIBAN, who is paying more attention to MIRANDA than his book.

"Took pains to make thee speak, taught thee each hour One thing or other."

ARIEL is here supposed to have given information to PROSPERO, in revenge of SYCORAX's cruelty.