The Sun.
London, England, 1847-08-06 00:00:00

SALE OF SHAKSPERE'S

PLACE,

In accordance with a resolution passed at the meeting
of the; Stratford Shaksperian Club, -on the 22d ultimo,
the following noblemen and gentlemen have formed
themselves into a committee for raising a fund for the
purchase of the house in which Shakspere was born:—
His Royal Highness Prince Albert, Earl Delawari, Earl
of Warwick, Esrl Denbigh, Eirl Howe, Viscount Vil-
liess, Lord Lifford, Lord Redesdale, L,rd Leigh, Lord
Brooke, lion. C. B Percy, Sir R. PeA, Bart , M.P., Sir
R. Throckmorton, Bsrt., Sir G. Skipworrh, 13.1 re, Sir
Charles Douglas, M.P., E. J. Shirley, E.q. M.P., W.
Collins, Esq., M.P., the Mayor of Stratford, Dr. Thom-
son, Stratford, &c.
On the 4th instant a meeting of the committee was
held at Stratford, Dr. Thomson presiding. when the fol-
lowing report of the proceedings of the committee was
unanimously agreed to.—
That a committee of noblemen and gentlemen hav-
ing, in the year 1835. at the instigation of the Royal
Shaksperian Club, been formed at Stratford-upon-Avon,
for the purpose of enabling tl:ern to preserve and reno-
vate the tomb and monument of Shakspere, and the chan-
cel in which the remains of the pot and his family are
interred; and in the event of a sufficient amount being
subscribed, the committee would gladly extend their care
so the preservation and restora'ion of the birthplace of
Shakspere, and to the h .11,4 e still remaining at Chot-
tery, near Stratford, which was the residence of. Ann

Hathaway, afterwards the wife of Shakspere, and even
to the purchase of the site of the New Place, the house
in which Shakspere passed the latter years of his life,
and in which he died, a spot which being yet limn-
erosched upon, they are most desirous of guarding from
new erections, and consecrating to the memory of him
whose name has rendered it in their estimation hal-
lowed ground. The means, however, placed at the dis-
posal of the committee (the subscription tY,i,g limited to
11.), sufficed only for the primary object then in view.
" Since that time no opportunity off,red for the pur-
chase of the house in which Shakspere was born utril
the end of hat sear, when, in consequence of the ilea;h
of the late proprietor, it became known that the property
would be sold.

"At an early period an application was made for the
purchase of the property by private treaty, vvhcm it was
ascertained that legal difficulties existed, which ren-
dered it incumbent upon the trustees to offer it for sale
by public auction, and, therefore, not less so on the eom-
matee to move in the matter with the greatest cautit a
and circumspection, and hence the delay in announci:tg
their intentions.
" The sale is fixed to take place on the 16th of Sep-
tember, and, after much deliberaiion, thec nninittee have
tle'ermiiied to abandon the plan which h.. 01 been kr
some time entertained, of a privat- guarantee quid,
for the purchase of the house in the first initancv,
and to make a public appeal to the nation for the mean.
of purchasing and preserving so precious a relic of Dig-
lames greatest poet.
" That portion of the property which is said to be sold
consists of the rooms which have always been exhibited
ss the bowie in which the poet was born, and of the
Swan and Maidenhead public house, on the east side f
it; but there are likewi-e within the area of the property.
on the western side, tour tenements, three of .hich
were converted into habitations at the beginning of the
last century, and the fourth,' which, from the continua
tion of the fratned timber frt,nt, and the term of the old
door-ways communicating internaliy. evidently forms
part of the birthplace, but whitl, in 1771, was separated
from i t.'

"The committee have, within the last few days, pur-
chased the four tenements above mentioned, for the sum
of 8201., which, as it puts them into possession of a part
of the hous • in which Shakspere was born, cannot but
be regarded as a most important acquisition at the pre-
sent time. The price which the committee have given for
this part of the property, and for the advantage of at once
securing it, may probably be referred to as sonic indica-
tion of the amount required for the purchase of the
larger and more valuable portion of it, which they un-
derstand realises from the rental of the house, and the
exhibition of the birth Tides, from 801. to lON per an-
num. In the event of tnis portion of the property being
also secured, the cotntnittee contemplate res:oring, as tar
as possible, such portions of it as mty from time to
time have been removed, when it would be placed under
the protection of the Government, the Chi, f Coaeni-
sioners of Woods and Forests having signiii, d th .t that
department' would willingly take chargk of Shuksp Te's
house, as a just o'ject of national care.'"

The report concludes with announcing a donation (;f
2501. from Prince Albert.

The following is an address from Miss Martineau on
on the subject in the People's Journal:—

TO THE PEOPLE.
MY DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS,—
There are many ways in which, in the course of our

lives, we are reminded of our relationship to each other.
Here is now an occasion on which we ought proudly end
affectionately to feel it,—when an opportunity occurs of
paying homage to a great father of our minds. Our
own Shakspere, the greatest man, as far as we know,
that our country ever produced,—a man whose equal the
history of the world has never shown,—has long bad our
lip-homage;—a poor acknowledgment—for a hat we owe
him for the Ideas he has generated in us—the Emotions
he has called, forth,—the Affections he has trained,—The
Taste he has educated,—the precious holidays of mirth
and solace he has conferred upon us. We have now the
opportunity of giving something better than hp-homage;
—a last and preciou op? ,rtunity of showilg th t we
truly revere and love our wn glorious Shaksp. re. In
past ages the children of his wind have been careless.
They have let his personal history sink into obscurity.
and his descendants decline into poverty. This might
be from the want of a clear npp irtuaity, such as we
have now. Our negleci now will not be mere careless-
ness : it will be ingratitude. An appeal is made to us,
and so made as that every one must know of it ; and
every neglect of it must be wilful. Now, for the las,
time, we may, by act as well as word, honour his me.
mory. The way is clear : the time is short. Let us all

do something for Shskspere'B memory before we sleep.
Shakspere b house is to be sold. If not bought by the
nation, it will be lost to the nation tor ever. A com•

mittee is formed in Stratford, and another is forming in
London. to collect the money, and manage the purchase.
It is necessary to buy, not only the small portion of the
House which is shown to strangers as Shakspere's house,
but the whole of the buildings which originally belonged
to it. And it is desirable to purchase also some sur-
rounding buildings, in order to isolate the precious
dwelling, and save it from the danger of fire. The
least that the property can be expect, d to be bought for
is 5,0001.

Now, it may be, cr it may not be, that the rich men
of our country will contribute money enough. Shall we
put the matter to this risk? The necessary sum might
presently be raised by penny subscription. Shall not the
whole people of this country have the pleasure and the
honour of securing Shakspere's house as the property of
the nation forever? Shall not every child of future ge-
nerations who may visit the abode where Shakspere's
mind grew to what it was, have the privilege of saying
that his ancestor helped to make this house national pro-
perty! Let the rich do their part; but shall not we who
are not rich claim our part also? Let those who wish
for the honour set to work at once.

In every town and neighbourhood set on foot a penny
subscription. Speak of the matter, all of you, wherever
you go. You will all of you give your pennies. Suel:
of you as can spare a little time, and do nit mini a little

trouble, make ;ourselves agents and collectors. It' you
want information, or desire to transmit your funds, writt
to " C. H. Bracebridge, al , The .Hall. Atherstone,
Warwickshire." Mr. Bracebridge is the Honorary
Secretary of the Stratford Committee. Ile will forward
circulars to any of you who wish fur a printed account
of the business.
One thing you will be glad to hear. Lord Morpeth
has written to the committee to say that the Wools and
Forests Department will accept the charge of preserving
the house, if it is once bought. It will thus be taken
care of without further charge; and all we have to do Is
to raise the purchase money now.
I will say nothing about the disgrace in the eyee et
the world, if this object is not accomplished;
not wish to appeal to your fears. for I do
My appeal is to your better affections—to your re-
verence and love. By all the noble thoughts. thatnou Sr hnai lin;
spere has aroused in you, I appeal to you tt)h
philosophy of
now. By all his noble thoughts—
Brutus and the mirth of Itosalinbdy,
bsdem one, by thr.
Macbeth and the innocence of ll,ef.
in 3
ogen, by the
ty_he the remorse ot
dreams of Hamlet and the fi,ielityf )_ordei
is_l appeal
misery of Othello and the patience, o C
Arid according to
to you to honour Shaksperheimnooe•
your love and reverencerso.fa.thfull7y,quick and diligent in
your work.—l am, You I '
HARRIET MARTINEAU.
July 28, 184L.......................71........,____

SHOCKING DEATH WHILST BATHlNG.—•YeSterday
an irquest was taken at the Ftahiug Boat,Mill-street,
Bromley, before Mr. Baker. on the body of John Mason,
aged twelve years, residing in Mill street. On Monday
afternoon last the deceased and several other bls Were
bathing in the River Lea near the above p'lbite.house,
when one of the boys asked him if he mu- -
id touch the
bottom. The deceased said he could, and dived under
the water. He immediately rose again to the surface
with his mouth full of wate_lr, and b
sistance. A te)y named e called out for as
Kinsley swam to him and
caught hold of him, but his strength failed him, and they
both sank together. Kinsley succeeded in reaching the w
shore, but the deceased as drowned. His body was
recovered shortly afterwards. Verdict—" AcJidemal
death."

THE DUKE AND THE BOSJESMANS.—The "Duke"
dropped in on Tuesday, et two o'clock to s,c the Bush-
men. All were snoozing except the young fellow, who,
by-the-bye, is far the
most intelligent. The keeper,
%ske
naturally proud of his visitor, was proceeding
up the others, but the Duke said, with hi, i..iittsolha%i'lo(b)de
nature, " No, no, let the poor things sleep.
again." The
in town some time longer, and I can calif! I
Duke then left, but returned in about ha
h d what they
three out of the four Boshies contributed
aang hour,
p:.,d into his saddle
could to his amusement. He remained in the place ten
Or fifteen minutes, and then
with as much ease and vigouhrisgsumhe used to show ten
health has not been so
years ago. We understand
good for these, eight years as it has been during this
WS swzate•
I . - • -