Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-04-20
The RIrthdn1 Of shakspeare..

On the twenty-third of April, 1864 II
the little town Of stratford upOn-Avon
was born the greatest poet Of the world
the master spirit where universal genius
absorbed and cOmprehended all Of human
nature that had been or ives to be-
Gswestest Shakespeare, fsney's child
Next Saturday is the three hundredlh an.
niverssry Of his birth,-sn occasion Of Pc
culisr and beautiful significance. At the
time Of the two previous eentensries Of the
poets birth, Shskspesre's fame had not
resched its elimination. The artificial
TASTE Of the critics Of the eighteenth CEN
tury gave preference to the frigid verse of
Waller, or the turgid msgnihoence Of Dry
den, rsther than to the universal and ON
nipotent genius Of the worlds greatest
bard. The approaching anniversary, then,
Is the frst in which the whole world, unit
ed in admiration ofand love for their great
benefsctor-for the true poet is most really
the benefactor Of manlind-msy offer at
his shrine the incense of their grateful
praise. Nor has the significance Of the CO.
cssion been unheeded. In England
though the national propensity is to do
things ungrscefully has involved the
Etsrati in most unbecoming qusrrel-the
most magnificent preparations have been
made for properly celebrating the an
niversary, and the eyes Of the whole ma
tion have been momentsrily diverted from
the war scross the Channel on one side
and acrOss the Atlantic on the other, to
the progress Of arrangements for the ma
tionsl and literary festival In Paris,
Dusseldorf, and other continental cities,
arrangements are also being con-
summsted for the celebration Of the
dav. Throughout the civilized world
the Shakespeare teroentensry will be
as widely and warmly celebrated as
Christmas or Easter.
In America, which Of all countries un-
der the sun, after England, ought most
enthusiastically to celebrate the birthday
day Of the greatest poet Of our language
and itsrature-for the English literature
and the English language are also, BY in
heritancs, our oWB-we are sorry to note
a general inactivity and want Of zeal.
This may readily be excused by the plea
that the distractions and discords Of war
ring louder in cur ears than the melOdious
strains Of any singer. But surely the
wealth now so lavishly squandered in
esudy fashions and reckless dissipation
might be better appropriated in memoir.
ais to literature and art. But the wOr-
shippers Of Shoddy and those Of Shakes
psare are sntagonistic in their natures
and we do not wonder that the mushroom
aristocrsey Of New York City are wanting
in reverence to the sristocrsey Of genius
Nevertheless a plan for laying the corner
stene Of shakespearesn monument in tht
metropOlis,on Saturday next, hss been sgi
tated; and is energetically urged forwsrt
By leading dramatic artists and mana
gers. In few other cities do We hear tn
notes Of preparation. The St. George
Society Of Chicago has ARRANGED for
grand musical and literary entertainment
On Saturday. In Detroit an elsbOrat
programme has been arranged. Address
en- the life and character Of shAkspesr'
and the various relations Of his many
sided nature, viii be delivered by distir
guished literary gentlemen Of Michigan
shakspesrssn tablesux and mueic will sa
70 The interest Of the occasion. In TOlsd
che Yeung Mems Association have COZ