The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-06-02
From ke Neto York Dutchmau.
4 Day st 6hsksrsAFs's s..zzttAA s.zzttAA fi.ss,
ny JOSH sILsBEE, COMEDIAN.
SrRATroRD UPoS-AvoS, J
Anil on Iorn =

April 80, 1852.
Dear Dutehman-Having for a day
stolen march on the fogs and SCOT Of
London, thought the time could not he
better employed than in visiting the
haunts of the 'sweet Swan Of Ayou.n-
How many thousand pages have been
Wntten, and how many more could be
written to advantage on the birthplace
OF the immortal bard! What glorious
recollections are awakened-how many
delightful memories steal upon us! II is
subject of which we never tire. The
SHRINE demands a pilgrimage, and the
very ground seems to posses a sacredness
which the basest inconsiderate dare not
Profane. To one, as myself, who holds
every object connected with the poet in
such deep respect, a day spent in examin-
ing his memorials is fraught with mingled
feelings Of wonder and admiration.
As Thorn, the author of "Rambles by
Rivera" remarks very truly, the town Of
stratford would possess NO particular at
traction, wereit not celebrated as the birth
place Of Shakespeare. Beyond being a
clean, quiet, snug little village, it has no
remarkable advantages in respect to To-
cation, but as the birthplace Of the great
poet 1t Is the most intei esting spot in Eng
land. This fact invests it with n magic
more potent far than if it was the strong-
hold Of line of kings, and the birth
place of more warriors than have lived
since the days Of Leonidas.
There is at present very little in the
town that met the eye of him whose name
gives it prestige. One by one the anci.
ent relics have disappeared, and with the
exception of a church, a guild chappel,
and an old house bearing the in.
scriPtion le on its front, and the house in
which Shakespeare was born, there is moth
ing remaining of the olden days. The
hand Of modern Improvement has laid des-
olate the tokens Of by-gone times, and
much is the fact to be regretted. The
outside Of the poets house struck me very
curiously. 1t seems like an ancient tum-
ble-down old butchers shop Of humble as
pect, and one can scarcely realize that the
man whose writings were "for all time,n
could have inhabited so unassuminp a
tenement. But the house, very properly,
ls preserved in all its primitive integrity.
The hoor is paved with stones much bruised
and cut up, as il they had been hacked
by q butchers cleaver. One one side is
alarge fireplace, with comfortable sitting
Piaccs which Pesteetiy reaiizes upes fties
OF olden timed inches, such as we read Of
in old and very musty books with sheep
skin covers. From the kitchen a small
Hight OF stairs conducts to the chamber
where the great bard first entered a. an
actor upon the seven ages oflife. II is
low, small sized room, about six PAGES by
four, with n window of four combine d case
ments, and fire place with huge beam
supporting its mantle. Here in this cham
Der have thousands of all nations. and
nom all quarters Of the globe, paid their
willing homage, as the scribbled tapestry
denotes. The very air seems to whisper
the startling NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. tcas
born hare! could not help but notice
the i'll taste Of pilgrims who have inscribed
their names on the walls; some were
written very large and fourishing. 9TH
ers bold and legible; and it is worthy of
remark that the autograph of Sir Walker
Scott was the most modest and unassum-
ing in the room. From a book which IL
kept for receiving names in aid of the
funds for the complete purchase of the
property, We learn that E4OO still remain
a burthen upon the house, and had to
be obtained by mortgage. This seems al
most incredible, when the strenuous efforts
that have been made to collect subscr;p-
tons are considered.
The site Of the home Of Shakspeare.
when in Stratford, is now occupied by a
lofty tree, hat waves in the wind with mel
ancholy :::;cc:.,-the home in which he
abided being broken up anu cone forever.
Many authors have attempted to picture
the gentle Shakespeare in his pleasant re-
tirement on this spot, but the truth is,
no chronicles exists, and whatever golden
web authors may spin, the thread must
be fancified and imaginative.
The fate Of the house is in reality thus
statedi Shakespeare left il 90 his daughter,
Mrs. Hail, for her lisetime, aud il was in
habited by her and her husband, Doctor
Hall, physician. At Mrs. Halls death,
in 1e49, the house passed to her only
daughter, who became Lady Bernard
After her death the premises were sold
and came again into the Clopton family.
1853, Rev. Mr.. Gastrell, vicar of fFrods-
ham, IN Cheshire, purchased the proper
ty, bat being pcstered I'VE quote the
word,) with inquiries about Shakespeare,
and the mulberry tree in the garden plaH-
ted BY him, he, in 1850, ill-naturedly cut
Il down, the wood being gladly purchased
by matchmaker Of the town, who con-
verted them into articles and sold them
as momentos. At length the clergyman
finding StTatford incopvenient TO live in,
leh It, and confded "NsW Place" TO the
charge Of servants; but the parish still
annoying him about the rates, he took his
revenge by entirely pulling the house and
selling the msterals, in 1859. So Il may
be fairly said that taxation accelerated
"a