New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-22
IN THE HEART OF ENGLAND.
WAIsWICKSillRE RANBLES AND RELICS-TllE
GRAVE OF SOMERVILLE, THE POET.
frHoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT or THE TRIBUNE
Atr..t f..nLl 4 ..nt, 4 Ii lrIIsi y 4

SHAKESPEARE. NIX. NuhIitn II iIoE5ih, ''N'
at No Iigh-st, showed to me lock and key
that were affixed to one of the doors IN Hew
Place, and also sun-dial that stood upon u ped
cstal in New Place Garden, presumably in Shake
spcarcs time. The lock is made of brass, and Is
about as large MS n mans hand. The mechanism
is excellent. The key is Of iron, with an orna-
mental handle, Of graceful design, but broken
On the surface of the lock appears an inscription
stating that it was taken from New Pace IL Tue
year $50 and preserved by John Lord, Esq ne
sun-dial is made Of copper, and there are Roman
numerals upon its surface all around the outer
edge of the circle that encloseS It's rays INV
corners of the plate are broken, and one side OF 1t
is bent. This injury was done to it by thle'c''
who wrenchcd il from its setting on night III
1859. and we're lust making away with it when
they were captured and deprived of their plumber
The sun-dial also bears an inscription, certifying
that It was preserved by Mr. Lord New Pace
Garden was at one time owned by one Of Mr.. Log
gins ancestors and from that former owner these
Sbatespearean relies were derived. There can be
no doubt that Shakespcare's hand has touched TINS
lock and that Shallespeares eyes have looked
upon this dial-pcrhaps on that very day wheh ne
made Jacques draw the immortal picture oil
tombstone in the forest, moralizing on the hlShI
of time and the evanescence of earthly things.
Another remote relic Of Shakespeare is the shape
If the foundation Of BishoptOn Church, when
remains distinctly traced, by ridges Of the green
and velvet sod IN a field little TO the northwest
Of Stratford. in the direction of Wilmcote-thc
birthplace of Mary Arden, Shakespearc's mother
The parish of Bishopton adions that OF olo'
terry, and Bshopton is OF the three places
mentioned in association with Shakespeare's mar
riapc with Anne Hathaway. The church was
demolished about eighty years ago Inc mouse J"
W1lmcote in which, as tradition declares, MARY
Arden was bonn is seen at the entrance to the VII
lope and is conspicuous for its pcrtty gables ana
for its mellow coOrs and its impressive antiquity
Wfmcctc is roughcr i'm aspect than most oil inc
villages of Warwickshre and the country I'M
mediatclv around it is wild and bleak; Dut inc
hedges arc full of wild flowers and are haunted
bv many birds: and the wide, green, lonesome
fields. especially when you see them IN the so"ih-
ing possess in a marked degree that air oil meal-
cholv solitude. vague, drcam-kc ana poeuc'
rather than sad. which always appeals so strongly
to the imaginative mind.
Among the many charming ramblcs that may be
cnioycd III the vicinity of Stratford, the ramoi'
10 Wootton- Warren and IIcnley-in-Arden is not
the least delightful. Both these places are on the
birmingham road: the former SIX miles ana the
lattor eight miles from Stratford. When You
stand upop the bridge ut WcottOn YOU are only
90 miles from London, but you might be IN
wilderness thousand miles from any city, Tor III
All The slumbcrOuS scene around you there Is no
hint of anything but solitude and peace. Close
by a cataract tumblcs over the rocks and ILLS the
air with music. Not far distant rises the s'ateF
front Of Wootton Hail, an Old manO9-housc sur
rounded with green lawns and powered by
majestic elms, which has always been Cathohc
abode and which is never rented to any Dut ,a'h-
Ole tenants. cQsey, gabied house, s'ahoihs
among trees and shrubs little way from the roau-
side is the residence of the priest OF tins diocese
an antiouarian and a scholar, Of ample acquire
ments and fine talent. Across the meadows IN
one direction peers forth noble specimen OF the
timbered cottage of ancient times-the black beams
conspicuous upon the white surface OF plaster.
Among the trees, in another direction, appears
tbc great gray tower Of Wootton-Warren Church,
n most venerable relic, and one in which, by means
If the varying orders Of its architecture, you may
trace the entire ecclesiastical history of England
The approach to this church is through a green
lane and n wickct-gate, and when you come near
il you find that it is surrounded with many
graves. some marked and some unmarked, on all
of which the long grass waves in rank luNuriance
and whispers softly in the summer wind. The
place seems wholly deserted. Not human Great
ure is anywhere visible. and the only sound that
breaks the stiffness Of this August afternoon Is
the cawing of n few rocks in the lofty tops Of the
ncighboring elms The actual life OF all places,
when YOU come 10 know it well proves to be, for
the most lart, conventional, commonplace and
netty Human beings, with here and there an
exception. are Il dull and tedious lot, each re-
scmblng the other. and each nccdlcssly laborOus
10 increase that resemblance In this respect all
parts of the world are ali<e-and therefore the
happiest traveller is he who keeps alone, and
uses his eyes and communes with his OVID
thoughts. The actual life of Wootton is, doubt
less, much like that Of other hamles-a noiseleSs
tenor Of church squabb!c> and village gossip and
crumbling diversified with much feed
ing and drinking, lawn-tcnniS matrimony. birth
and death. But, as | looked around upon this
group Of Nesting cottages, these broad meadows
green and cool in the shadow OF the dcnsely
mantcd trees, and this ancient church, gray and
faded with antiquity slowly crumbhng to pieces
amid the fresh and everlasting vitality Of nature,
felt that surely here might at last be discovered
a sure and permanent haven Of refuge from the
incessant patitudc and triviaity of ordinary ca
perience and all the strife and din of the world
WoottOn-Warren Church Is one of the numerous
Catholic buildings of about the eicS enth century
that still survive IN this realm. devoted now 10
Protestant worship. 1t has been partly restored,
but most of it is in state of decay, and if this
be not soon arrested the building will become
ruin Its present vicar the Rev. Francis T.
Bramston. is making vigorous efforts TO interest
the public in the preservation of this ancient
monument and these efforts ought to succeed a
more valuable ecclesiastical relic it would be
difficult TO find, even in this rich region OF antique
treasures. the heart of England It's scquestcred
situation and It's sweetly rural surroundings in
vest it with peculiar beauty. 1t is associated,
furthermore, with names that stately in Eng
lish history and eminent and honored in English
litcrature-with Henry St John, Viscount Boiling
broke whose sister reposes in its ancient vaults,
and with William Somerville, the poet, who wrote