New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-11-16
! THE SHAKESPEARE CHURCH.
CHANGES MADE AND CHANGES INTENDED.
TESTIMONY GIVEN BY ONE OF srRATFoRp's

TESTIMONY GIVEN BY ONE We
CHIEF CITIZENS.
70 tie Bdttor or The Tribune
Sir: Those OF your readers Who interested in the
subject may perhaps, remember that In letter OK
mine. written at stratfortupon-Avon on July 10 and
published in your paper on september - aten'ion
was called to the Injurious changes that have been
made in the Shakespeare Church and Churchyard in
that place by the order, and under the management OF
The vicar Of the parish, the Rev. George Arbuhnot.
Those readers may also remember that the Rev.
Mr. Arbuthnot by way OF justifyng his proceedings.
sent letter 10 The Tribune, which duly published
by you making general denial of all that had been
alleged protesting against alleged attempt TO DIS
paraec him by associaing his with that OF Lord
sackvie. and in effect trying the question
tho detail of displacement of human remains in
the ch,chyard.
My rejoinder 10 the Rev. Mr. Arbuthnot was the re-
itesaion of every statement made letter of July
IS as true and as eustalnable by evidence and your
readers furthermore apprsed. not upon the all
thortty Of an American writer hut upon that OF The
London TRUTH that not quarter OF the acts
OF vandalism done by the order Of the vicar OF Strat-
ford in and around the Shakespeare Church. had been
specified by II ought 10 be apparent, even 10
enemies of mne that this IS not case of sensation
nongerng or Individual hostility or persecution
Many changes have been made in Stratfor Church
and Churchyad. This cannot be denied. because inc
place itself shows the fact The old galleries are gone
gone. The old pulpit IS gone The pnest
desks have gone A commemorative window IN me
south cercstory IS gone The organ gone, and me
arch between the and the chancel Is dwarfed oy
the incumbrance Of new one The chnrchyau nus
becn lcveed Grave-mounds have been removed
Gravetones have been taken away and all the stones
left have been Strengthened. In word. the church
has been renovated far possible made stylish
and modern, and in that way Its venerable ana oeau
full antiquity has been impaired The Kew MI
Arbuthnot may contend that all this IS improve
ment.r The majority Of his fcllow-citzens, together
with all the Shakespereans in the world. are OF con-
trary opinion These changes thought to be
changes not for the better. but for tho worse. and
they have called forth earnest and sometimes indignant
protests particularly in Stratfor's netghoorng CITY
OF Birmingham, from many votares OF shakeSpeareoh
whose account and on whose account alone, this
church has than merely an eccieslasucai value
and is precious to the whole world
Other changes are intended. There is talk OF
rerdos which certainly would in part obscure the
beautiful east window and probably would endanecr
the ancient monuments in the chancel OF when inc
Vicar does not approve From guidc-book called
1.-Two Hours in StratfDrdon-Avon,' written by me
Vicar himself and cus,omarily sold in hts church for
penny l quote the following words: " The Clopton
Chapel is now used family pew but II ever inc
complete restoration of the church Is carried OUT e
present fittings and elevated floor will be removed
This IN itself should be sufficient TO indicate the spirit
Shakespeare Church. 1t is prevent the complete
restoration from being carried out" and incidentally
10 prevent every thing OF interest in the church from
being carried" ont" alsO-ncluding possibly the aust
of Shakespearehat the efforts OF SaakespcacaS h"No
Of late been made, They do not forget that II was
the Rev. Mr. Arbuthnot who gave permission (Which
however be was compelled TO revOkel that SHAKE
spearo's grave might be opened.
The views and feelings this subject Of those who
oppose the Wears Improvements are explicitly ana
,pfn nf no
citizens of stratom, gentleman OF irIeprOachaplo
integrIty whose word may be trusted with absolute
confidence, and who has just written TO me as FOL
lows
October 2s-I have only within thu last few DAYS
eaen tho letter I'm The Tribune which sincerely nope
NAV have the good effect of preventing any future van
dalism in the Trinity Church and beanutul % ~
human remains. | did not hear that any were ne
moved when the new path made but OF course
the mounds were obliteraed and tombstones displaced
once saw great number OF human remains uStuIDd
few wears ago. our churehyard IS a very ancient
burial ground and It has been 50 much 'ed tor Tas
remove any of the soil without dsplacing some human
remains notice tha you 40 b mo v cay IN his reply
20 Inc or GS William Webb is obhieraed and could
not p now point out the exact place Of his burial
sally Garner was not buried in Stratfou churGhS dtu
Ueniey. I'm Arden don't think that the very weak
letter of the Vicar, or the one III the LOCAL paris" 'e
zine, IS worthy OF reply
These remarks como from a source quite as high ana
ou,te As responsible as the pulpit Of Trinity Church.
They serve 20 explain and substantate what was
originally said By me in my reference to the us
placement of old gravcstones and human remains
But this point is incidental The vital suD!ect Is "e
snoatlon of Stratford Church an ancient monument
and relic of peare That ought TO be stopped
and the venerable Bishop OF Worcester ought 10 De
imploied 10 stop it. Yours truly,
""i''' WILLIAM WINTER
Fort Uill Staten Island, Nov. 10, 1889