The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-08-05
LANSING 'SLETTER
CONTINUED FROM FACE I.

by visiting the Americans delight.
Stratford-on-Avon, soon found my way
to the station, and after a short ride
reached my destination.
Stratford-on-Avon is pretty place.
Very old-fashioned. quiet, with practi-
cally no industry, yet beautiful In Its
peacefulness. There were four things l
wished to see, namely, Shakespeare $
home, Memorial Fountain, Memorial
Theatre and the church.
First in order came Shakespeare's
home. AS far as looks are concerned
one would never take IL to be a histori-
cal spot, and might easily walk past 1t
several times before discovering the
mistake. Inside this dwelling on April
90, 1864, William Shakespeare was
born. Many changes have been made,
but considerable of the timber-work is
still in use. There is nothing particu-
larly interesting ON the lower floor,
except the huge fireplace, taking nearly
one side of the room. Ascending to the
floor above, we see, first, the front
room, in which the dramatist is sup
posed to have been born. On the white
washed walls names have been written
to such an extent that one would be
unable to find white spot as large as a
penny. Even the windows have been
scratched, and by many prominent
men.
Sir Walter Scott's is quite distinct,
and with little imagination you can
doubtless decipher many more. The
back room in the upper story contains a
very old picture of Shakespeare which
fits into an iron safe and is locked each
night. 1t Is considered very valuable.
This room also remains in more of the
same condition it did of old than the
others.
There is also museum in connection
with the house, containing Shakes
pearian collections of great value Old
portraits, volumes of plays, his signet
ring and those Of relations, old deeds,
curious letters and manuscripts, which
would be enjoyable to look through
carefully, in many cases being of the
highest value. AS we leave the house,
on our way to the theatre, we catch
glimpse Of very pretty garden, con-
tanning many varieties Of flowers.
The Shakespeare Memorial Theatre
was erected in response to the feeling
that some fitting memorial to the " world
known poet" should do him honor in his
native town. In oak presses there is an
extensive library of some $3.50 volumes
of his works. Walking through the pic
ture gallery, one sees many interesting
scenes illustrating Shakespeare's works,
transcribed by Sir John Gilbert, r. A.
and others. The curtain represents
Queen Elizabeth going in state to the
theatre and painted by Beverly, It will
seat 800 persons and once year in
April memorial performances are held.
From the tower q good view of Stafford
may be obtained.
The Church of the Holy Trinity" is
an imposing edifice situated, as is COM
mon with the older churches, within
the cemetery, but enjoys the charm of
being on the bank of the Avon. The
stream at this point is very beautiful, as
it twists and turns, just wide enough for
all purposes, and as peaceful and quiet
as the town itself. From the time you
enter the church, until the time you
leave, the mind is concentrated upon
Shakespeare. Here Is where he was
baptised, and here buried. The font in
the case OF the former is still there as
well as the second with date of the
event upon the books of the church.
The funeral is likewise commemorated
upon the books, and his grave is on the
north side Of the chancel. Upon the
slab which covers Shakespeare's grave
is the following well-kuown inscriptions:
Good friend for Jesus sake forbeare
To digg the dust enclosed heare;
Blese be ye man " spares thes stones
Close to Shakespeare's tomb are those
of his wife, Anne Hathaway, his daugh-
ter, Susan Hall, his son-in-law, DR.. Hall.
and Thomas Nash. On the wall above
is the bust executed soon after Shake
speare's death by Gerard johnson. Above
is the stained window, given by Amer
leans, entitled, "The Seven Ages" and
which cost $3.50 and took twelve years
collection. All through this ancient
church of the thirteenth to fifteenth CEN
lures are scattered historical objects.
and as we leave we realize once more
we have been travelling through the
country of 500 years ago.
Returning by way of the main street
we noticed the old tavern about which
so much had been said as well as the
new one. The original mulberry tree
has been cut down, so the traveller is
obliged TO restrain himself in that di-
rection. Continuing the walk one no.
tices many timbered houses, that is.
heavy wooden frame work filed with
other materials. They are more like
some old-fashioned houses one sees in
an American colonial town. We
soon are able to see the "Child's Foun-
tain and Clock Tower" given by George
w. Childs of Philadelphia TO the town
of Shakespeare in the Jubilee year of
Queen Victoria. 1t is unique and very
pretty. Chimes strike the hour and
quarters. ana our heart beats a little
quicker and we feel more at home. and
as il we had n claim on this little tower.
where 300 TO 1 400 people, mostly from
America, visit each year.
Nearly everything for sale bears n
monogram, seal, head, bust. or some-
thing relating TO Shakespeare, and. in
fact. IL Is very much ms Stratford gen.
ticman said: I" am sure, sir. we ought
10 be very much obliged 70 Mr.. Shake
speare for being born here, for don't
know what we should have done with
out him." In the evening we return TO
for on account of the
Warwick fair everything is crowded.
My next letter will inform You as 10 the
Of the iron workers Of Wales