The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-02-13
S7RATFORD-ON-
A VISIT TO THE HOME OF WILL sHAKEsPEARE
AND ANN HATHAWAY.

Foreign Cor. of the Boston Transcript tor
Leaving London about o'clock one af ee
noon, We took o train at the Euston str II
station. and in about three hours were u
bennington. Stepping from the cars to 81
omnibus, we were whirled through the tow
to Regent House.
After good substantial supper and . shor'
walk about this English Saratoga" We went
to bed. that we might be prepared for the
next days trip.
We took an early breakfast and started in
q hard-looking landau drawn by bony horses.
It was glorious morning and we were all in
good spirits One OF our party, short, fat.
jolly old gentleman was on the box with the
driver.
The drive was delightful Soon we arrived
at Warwick, and stopping at the Warwick
Arms, ordered dinner to be prepared for
O'Clock.
As we crossed the Avon on little stone
bridge we had very pretty view of Warwick
Castle. On our way we passed Banbury Cross,
spoken of in Mother Goose Melodies
" Ride cock hore to Banbury Cross" etc.
Riding about eight miles farther, we
came to Stanford Avon; first we visited the
cottage of Ann Hathaway, to whom Shake
speare was married. The cottage is about q
mile and half ffem the town. It is very old
and interesting, with its low door, heavy
beams, large fireplace, old floors and small
rooms.
The place is kept by an old lady, one of the
descendants Of the Hathaway family; she con-
ducts visitors about the place, into the old
kitchen where the courtship took place, to the
chamber occupied by Ann herself Over the
fireplace in the kitchen is an engraving of the
courtship.
We purchased a photograph of the place,
received nosegays from the garden, and de-
parted for Shake spearo's house.
Leaving our fine turnout at the Red Horse
Inn, we went on foot to the home of the great
poet. 1t is low, brown house, now kept by
government authorities, and for a small fee
you are shown about the premises by the
matron.
We wandered through the rooms in q silent
and thoughtful mood. The floors were OF
large, irregular slabs of stone; large dre-places
were plenty. We were shown painting of
Shakespeare, said to be correct likeness; it
was very full face, with rosy cheeks, and not
thin and colorless, as we see him represented
here at homo. In one Of the rooms up stairs
is a museum, containing fine collection OF
curiosities Of the time of the dramatist. Among
them is the desk of Shakespeare used at
school; it is all hacked and cut in regular
schoolboy fashion; there is the sign OF the
Bedford Tavern, where "Will drank too
deeply"
On our way back we passed the gate of Sir
Thomas Lucy's grounds, on which Shake
speare placed his cutting poem.
Before taking our dinner at Warwick, we
made a visit to the famous castle. It is sur
rounded by high wall, provided with moats,
draw bridges and portcullis The castle, stands
ing in the green yard, is half covered with
ivy, picturesque sight. The family was not
at home, and we we're shown over the house
by female attendant. The rooms are rich
with silk, tapestry, fine Ca wing, pictures by
Michael Angelo, Rubens, MuriIlo, Reynolds,
Titien, Raphael and others, fine tables, cabi-
nets of glass and fine crockery ware.
In the great hall the floor is of stone tiles;
the walls of oak, covered with pieces of armor
and weapons of war OF ancient date.
One corner of the outer wall has tower
several dungeons, on whose sides
were scratched emblems, names and prayers
by the unfor innate prisoners.
At the entrance to the grounds is porters
lodge; in one room are pieces of arnor, some
Of them worn by Cromwelrs soldiers when
there. There is an, immense porridge pot of
bell metal; it is now used as punch bowl,
and holds over hundred gallons.
From the castle we went to our dinner.
After visiting the Church of st. Mary, we
rode back to bennington and took the train
for London. FsA