The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-12-15

been expected from the golden autumn Of
such mind. sheltered as it was from the
stormy vicisstudes of life, and Aourshing
in the sunshine Unpopular and royal favor.
''The inscription on the tombstone has
not been without its effect 1t has pre-
vented the removal of his remains from the
bosom Of his native place to Westminster
Abbey, which was at one time contemplate
ed a few years since, also, as some la
borers were digging to make an adjoining
vault, the earth caved in so as to make
vacant space almost like an arch, through
which one might have reached to his
grave. No one, however, presumed to
meddle with his remains, so awfuly guard
ed by malediction; and lest any of the
idle or curious, or collector of relics,
should be tempted to commit depredations,
the old sexton kept watch over the place
for two days, until the vault was finished
and the aperture closed again. He told
me that he had made bold to look in at
the hole, but could see neither coffin nor
bones; nothing but dust. 1t was some
thing, thought, to have seen the dust of
Shakespeare.
"Next to his grave are those ofhis wife,
his favorte daughter, Mus. Hall, and others
of his family. On tomb close by, also,
is full length elligy of his old friend, John
Combe, of usurious memory, on whom he
is said to have written udicrous epitaph
There are other monuments around, but
the mind refuses to dwell on anything that
is not connected with Shakespeare. His
idea pervades the place; the pile seems
but as his mausolum. The feelings. no
longer checked and thwarted by doubt,
here indulge in perfect confidence; other
traces of him may be false or dubious. but
here is palpable evidence and absolute
certainty AS rod the sounding pave
ment, there was something intense and
thrilling in the idea, that, in very truth,
the remains of Shakespeare were moulder-
ing beneath my feet. 1t was long time
before could prevail upon myselfto leave
the place; and as passed through the
church-yard plucked branch from one
of the yew trees, the only relic that have
brought from Sratford."
Mr.. Irving continues in a very pretty
description Of his visit to the old family
seat OF the Lucys, at Cl4aricot, whose
park was the scene of the hair-braned ex-
ploits of which Shakspeare's boyhood has
been accused. Our limits will not allow
us to dwell longer on this subject, except
to give the concluding paragraph Of Mr..
lrving's reflections on Stratford. Avon:
''n;G who had sought renown about the
world, and has reaped full harvest Of
worldly favor, will find, after all, that there
is no love, no admiration. no applause so
sweet to the soul as that which springs up
in his native place. 1t is there that he
seeks to be gathered in peace and honor
among his kindred and his early friends.
And when the weary heart and failing
head begin to warn that the evening of
life is drawing on, he turns as fondly as
does the infant to the mothers arms, to
sink to sleep in the bosom of the scenes of
his childhood. How would it have cheer
ed the spirit ofthe youthful bard, when
wandering forth in disgrace upon doubt
world, he cast back a heavy look upon
his paternal home, could he have ioreseen
that, before many years, he should return
to it covered with renown; that his name
should become the boast and glory of his
native place; that his ashes should be re-
ligiously guarded as its most precious
treasure; and that its lessening spire, on
which his eyes were fixed with fearful
contemplation. should one day become
the beacon, towering amidst the gentle
landscape, to guide the literary pilgrim Of
every land to his tomb'
d. L.. .-.-