The Sun.
London, England, 1866-11-15 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

BELFAST, Nov. 13.—The flax markets were gene-
rally well supplied. Prices ruled firm, with an up-
ward tendency in several markets. Prices were a
shade easier in Tandrasse, Coleraine, and Cooks-
town. In yarns the dulness which has for some
time past prevailed has become more decided. In-
crease has taken place in stocks. Prices for all
numbers under 100 leas have a downward tendency.
Both light and heavy power-loom linens are difficult
of sale. Cloth for dying and hollands is in fair re-
quest. Approved makes of roughs change hands
freely. Printing lawns meet a tolerably ready sale.
Production of -light hand-loom fabrics is small.
A moderate demand prevails for heavy linens.
Linen and cambric handkerchiefs are not in active
request. For printing lawns forward orders are
held. Country markets.—ln Armagh and Balli-
bay supplies were small and demand in both places
was inactive. The demand for linens, bleached and
finished, for the home trade has been dull. More
continental business was transacted. Prices are very
well maintained,

SIIAKSPERE'S IlouSE.—We are in his father's
house in Ilenley-street. It would not be considered
now a comfortable dwelling. The ceiling of all the rooms
is low, and that of the bedrooms easily touched by a person
of moderate stature ; 300 years ago it must have been an
excellent dwelling for the age, and thought to have good
conveniences for a family, and probably none except the
landed gentry and wealthy had a better house. The roof is
covered with red tips, the contour a waving lino from
subsidence and decay; the elevation is slight; the windows
are small panes of glass in
a ad
style o
churches.f The floor of the
first
small,
set,e,pnafr.taleni `
.armed
likete,dt
the
nsome
the
e kitchen,
of old
u ivery
uneven, consists of a
light-coloured sandstone, and is fissured and broken up
into numerous pieces ; it is a good-sized room, and wears
an air of much antiquity; it is dismal and deficient in light.
The bedroom where the poet was born is the object of
greatest attraction. It is an average-sized room, but
has a low coiling, upon which, and upon the walls, names
innumerable have been written by those who have come
here to give expression to how much they owe him who
has filled their minds with noble images and subjects of
thought. The windows here are also scratched over with
the names of devotees, and no spot in the room except the
floor contains a square inch of surface upon which one
name could be written, if we so desired, without obliterat-
ing that of some :ormer competitor in feeling. The name
of Sir W. Scott is shown on the window scratched by a
diamond. The best and most distinguished have not been
wanting in homage. This rooms boars its antiquity in its
appearance, is now carefully preserved, but retains evi-
donee of former neglect in the roof, the water having been
allowed to come in. A room devoted to Shaksperian lite-
rature adjoins the bedroom, and is quite refreshing after
the other apartments. It is adorned by portraits of Shak-
spere, and Garrick and his wife. It contains a large number
of books, in handsome cases —the plays in English,
French, and German, together with criticisms and com-
mentaries ; also many curiosities arising out of feetivals held
in honour of the poet in 1769 and 1864 among which
may be mentioned a variety of articles worked out of the
mulboiry tree grown in Now Place at that time destroyed ;
portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Garrick are due to the first, while
a pretty letter, sympathising with the commemoration in
1864 from German admirers of the poet, met in the house of
Goethe, is due to the second. It is ornamented with a green
immortelle, and handsomely framed, and is gratifying to
English visitors. The sign of The Eagle at Bidford, a few
mi'es from Stratford-on-Avon, where William used to take
his social glass in company with genial spirits, is preserved.
It is one of the trials of greatness that failings as well are
sought for, so that in the highest fortune there isleast liberty.
Thus we find an artistic Boswell has been at work, and
ferreted out the weak moments of our illustrious subject
for perpetuation, and lot us hope for charity also. When
at Bidford on one occasion, it is said thegreat poet took too
much to drink, and his condition under these circumstances
has been chosen by one of his countrymen as a fit subject
for remembrance. It is a small work in grey marble or ala-
baster, exhibits the poet as reclining on a couch, features
finely worked out, and shows no signs of grossness or sen-
suality. His half-length portrait is hung upon the walls,
and resembles the Chandos portrait, and what wo are most
used to, but I do not like it half as well as that seen in
Warwick Castle. His signet-ring is shown, of massive
gold, with initial letter or crest, and several tobacco pipes
dug out at New Place. The will of Shakspero is also
shown, and the only writing we have of him is that of the
signature attached to his will. No single scrap of his own
writing remains but this only. This is a singular circum-
stance, and he must have taken pains to destroy all written '
documents. The only letter extant to him is that of a man
asking to borrow thirty pounds ; this is carefully preserved,
and is written in the old cramped style of the period ; and
it was conveyed by a common townsman to the poet in
London. Several old implements of war, mentioned in the
plays, are shown, as halberts, axes, spears, cte. The gar-
den is looked into; it is well taken care of, and is said to
contain all the plants mentioned by the poet. It is of
ample size, and contains in the centre an ancient stone re-
moved from the old cross in the town. The house is now
the property of the country, having been purchased in
1847 for £3,000, and a trifle more. No fire is permitted,
but water pipes are laid on to protect it against the mois-
ture. The house is quite apart from the others adjoining,
and thus every precaution has been taken to riardti"ainst
accident or decay.—Gardeners' Magazine.