Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-12-13

having destroyed many of the old buildings.
The present buildings are chiefly Of stone
and brick. IL seemed to US that everybody
was out in the streets staring at the Yankee
tourists. Yet we were not the first nor shall
we be the last, to make pilgrimage to the
birthplace and home of the great dramatist,
whose wonderful insight into human nature
gave evidence of an inspiration almost divine.
He was the master magician of his age and
of all ages, who could call into being the
most various and the most life-like person.
ages that history has recorded or imagination
conceived. Too careless of his own creations
TO collect and publish his works whilst he
lived, they have yet been read more widely
the world over, and are more frequently
quoted, than those of any other author. Only
the Bible is more read and oftener cited.
The house where Shakespeare was born
stands in compact row of buildings on q
street in the heart of the village 1t has sur
vived the fires which destroyed others, and
has in some measure defied the ravages of
time. 1t is said that the front has been par
TALLY repaired, otherwise the house remains
as of old. Its exterior is of rough upright
timbers filled in with plaster. The inside is
rude and antique in appearance. We went
into the chamber where he first breathed the
breath of life. A rough room it is, the floor
primitive. Some of the chambers are con-
structed of rough boards or plank. The an
tique furniture and an old hacked plank said
to be the bench by which Shakespeare sat when
Mt school, may or may not be what is repre-
scented. The windows are broad, but not
high, with diamond shaped panes set in lead.
The house is two stories high, and the adjoin-
ing buildings are of like height.
We saw also the foundation walls, in part,
of the house Shakespeare built, called the New
Place, and where he lived with his wife and
family. The remains of these walls are pre-
served under iron gratings for public inspec-
ton. The house was taken down by q cross
old English clergyman, who first cut down
Shakspeare's mulberry tree, and then RACED
the house, because so many people resOrted
to it. One result was, that the curmudgeon
had to leave the town. A well said to be the
same Shakespeare had, still remains. A pref
tv little garden of flowers and shrubs is at
tached to the New Place. What testimony
to the fame of Shakespeare, that even The fsun-
dation walls of house where he once lived
(nothing else remaining) should be preserved
with care and expense!
/ should have mentioned, that amongst the
curiosities at the old house, there are copies
of the second edition of Shakspeare's plays
printed in 1852 also of the third few years
later. No copy of the first, printed in 1925,
can be found. These books, open at the title
page, are seen under glass case.
Next, the party visited the old church where
Shakespeare was buried. 1t is stone church
with some marks of age. but probably has
been rebuilt since Shakspeare's time. 1t is
somewhat in modern Episcopal shape, but
finished inside with oaken PANEL work. The
old stone slabs in the floor are no doubt gen.
uine. particularly the Shakespeare slab, which
has the famous lines rudely engraved on it,
GOOD friend. for Jesus sake forbear,
Nor dig the dust enclosed here.
Blest be the man that spares these stones,
And curst be he that moves my bones"
Another slab has more elaborate inscrip-
ton in memory of Anne, his wife. The church
stands amongst fine shade trees, and has the
charming river Avon in its rear. The whole
scene is consecrated by the genius of Shaks-
peare.
Here in the streets of this quiet village and
along the banks Of this gentle stream 800
years ago, as a boy he played with the other
boys, and studied in the village school, per-
haps undistinguished from his mates. Here
in his youth, for some offence, he was brought
before magistrate, Sir Thomas Lucy, after
wards immortalized in some of Shakspeare's
finest plays, under the namo of Justice Shall
low. Here he used to trip across the fields
to Shottery, to pay his court to fair Anne
Hathaway. Here he wrote his wonderful
comedies and tragedies, married, lived and
died little past middle life, unconscious Of
the illustrious name and fame he left behind
him.
"Flow on, silver Avon, in song ever flow!
BE the swans thy borders still whittier than snow
Ever full be thy stream, like his fame may it spread
And the turf hallowed that pillowed his head"
b.