The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-10
THE COUNT JoASvEs no THE FRONT
Another Cha pier of the Author-A ctor's Ro-
mantle Autobiography.

To THE EDITOR OF The SuN-Sir: l.
An editorial in The SUN Of this day, 9Th inst,
has called my patriotic attention, and that Of
my fellow citizens, to the regretfu fact that the
"Hume Of Washington at Mount Vernon for
want Of funds) Is now "fast falling into utter
ruin" as stated by the Mount Vernon Ladies'
Aid Society, and in your editorial.
II. whit Shakespeare Is to dramatic poetry,
30 Ia Washington to practical patriotism, and
both arc my earthly idoiatry.
Some years ago, when in England, rescued
"ShaKespeare's house" from mercenary de-
struction by calling public meeting in London.
My speech and endeavors were triumphant, and
finally / aroused the Government to aid the
funds. The Parliament nobly responded by a
donation OF R5,0C0, 1. Q. $4,000; and England
thus became the owner of the house " in which
the Prince OF Poets was born, April q, 1854. A
custodian. with a salary OF $1,000 per year, was
nominated, and my lamented friend, James
Sheridan Knowles, Esq. author Of Virginius,"
was the first to hold that honorary distinction.
The chanccl of the church In which sh kc-
Avon, I'm love and weeping for Its poet-was
" fast falling into utter runP aroused Eng
land again to the rescue. No subscription was
to he over Rl, 1. Q. S., except from the monarch
of the Kingdom, VINO gave one hundred Ruineas,
$500 the same amount as donated to me 10y the
Sovereign, to whom my public GRAFTON upon
Shake peare was dedicated. The donations to
repair the church amounted to $4,000.
i'll. when returned to this city, after resid-
ing twenty years In Europe, my first Grafton was
at the Coo yer Institute, upon Washington"
MY friends Peter Cooper, ESD, and Edwin For
rest, ESD, were among the audience.
i now read 10 The SUN that the House o.
washington Is fast falling into utter ruin"
| And this in tue centennial year OF the 4th II
| July, 176l 20 shamel where Is thy blush p
All the glory Of this country will be perpetually
! o'ershadowed II such ruin - be Permitted To
| exist III this centennial year OF the nome OF
| "housc OF Shak pearc," permit me puulicly to
| respond, as oxamule, to the ladies' call for aid
| to save the Patriots donicle, as well Us tho
| poets. inin your suggestion, Mr.. Editor that
| the Mount Vernon home should DO owned by
the people OF the United ates. Congress
should, forthwith, appropriate "A sum for that
| purpose, "a England DID for Shakespeare
| Hodse."
| Ineyer wished until now TO be a member Of
| Congress. All my pubic orations would be
ecpsed 10y that | would make d. W to put
patriotic life into the DRY ZONES of dead patriot
| ism to rescue the house and grave Of Wash
| ington.
| ". Let my deeds speak for me herein "a well
as words. and as example to my fellow citizens.
| From the net receipts Of the testimonial beueat
| -Hamlet-and upon the shakespeare releOra-
ton at tho Academy OF Music. Oh Monday even
| ing. April cath inst, have already donated a
certain percentage to Christian ana HeOre v
| charities, us announced In proposed " compet-
tion," IN which, nop. the Sj.o01 are forfeited to
| me. did intend IRON tue net teceipts, also,
To give $50 toward tine "HrmurN fund y for the
| excellent and gallant Seventh Reciment, but
| double hereafter.
From the said recei0ts ! hereby freely give,
and tenfoid honnred pv the opportunities would
! be every citizen. tho sum OF 800 toward tue
| required fund, requested hy the patriotic dies,
In AID of preserving from ruin" The Washing
| ton home ana grave. at Mount Vernon, Nir-
ginil. 1his /. my quick response to YOUR trum-
yet call u patriotism. Yours truly, &c.
GEORGE TnE COUNT JOANNES,
or the n. Y. supreme Court, Historian.
| New York 81 y, April :, A. -.
1876, NJ. - Chambers street.