prince celebrated in the annals of Denmark, whose name has been rendered familiar by forming the subject of one of the noblest tragedies of Shakspeare. Adjoining a royal palace, which stands about half a mile from that of Kronberg, in Elsinore, is a garden, called Hamlet's Garden, and, according to tradition, is the very spot where the murder of his father was perpetrated. The house is of modern date, and situated at the foot of a sandy ridge near the sea. The garden occupies the side of the hill, and is laid out in terraces. Elsinore is the scene of Shakspeare's Hamlet; and the original history from which our poet derived the principal incidents of his play is founded upon facts—but so deeply buried in remote antiquity that it is difficult to discriminate truth from fable. Saxo Grammaticus, who flourished in the twelfth century, is the earliest historian of Denmark who relates the adventures of Hamlet. His account is extracted, and much altered, by Belleforest, a French author, an English translation of whose romance was published under the title of the *Hystorie of Hamblet*; and from this translation Shakspeare formed the groundwork of his play, though with many alterations and additions.

Hamm, the capital of a cognominal circle in the Prussian province of Westphalia and government of Arnsberg, on the Lippe, at its confluence with the Alse, 22 miles N.N.W. of Arnsberg. It is inclosed by walls, but the ditches that formerly surrounded it have been filled up and converted into promenades. Hamm was formerly a member of the Hanseatic League: it has a famous gymnasium, bleach works, manufactures of linen and woollen fabrics, leather, &c., and an active trade in hams. It is situated at the intersection of the Cologne-Minden Railway by that between Munster and Paderborn. Pop. (1849) 6005.

Hamme, a town of Belgium, province of East Flanders, 18 miles E.N.E. of Ghent, on the right bank of the Durme, near its confluence with the Scheldt. It has breweries and oil-mills; and some manufactures of linen, soap, cordage, &c. It also carries on a considerable trade with the surrounding country. Pop. (1841) including commune, 9684.