New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-07-16
SELECTIONS FROM THE MIL.
AN INTERESTING sIIAKEsPEARIAN DISCOVERY.

AN INTERESTING SHAKEsPEARIAN DISCOVERY.
To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir A visit to STAFFORD on Avon impresses one
with the fact that places things connected WIN
the personality Of Shakespeare are held In the greatest
esteem and reverence. The American visitor soon nc
knowlcdgcs the prevailing influence and not little OF
the homage paid nanmatc matter at Stratford comes
from Americans. Last summer, In company Win
Colonel J. N. Spencer and T. H. Kelley, csl., OF I'm
cinna,i, l spent time at STAFFORD. stopping AT
the Golden Lion Inn Bidgc-st., adjoining the Ked
IIor,,, Inn, made famous by Washington Irving The
present proprietor OF the Golden Lion Is John Fry
most compIronable man ana capable landlora' "ho'
approaching anxiety to learn all We couia Oh
shakcs peare's life Str1tford went With us to III
fcrcnt points OF Interest and did all that he coud
10 assist us In our researches During our talk win
him he stated that there was tradition that 'he
building In which the Golden Lion Inn at present
located was in existence the time Ct Shakespeare ana
had been used In his time as an Inn under the h'"
Of "The Peacock Upon Inquiry we learned tE't
no one had Of late years at least investigated TIE
subject and he could not advise us how to proceeu
as to the ascertanment OF the truth or alsity OF ue
venerable report Our curiosity was greatly stimulated
from the fact that such well advised shakcspearail
critic and writer Don StratfOrd William Winter OF
The Tribune whose works upon Warwickshire STRAIT
ford and England are classics, made no mention Oh
such an important fact this. At our request MI
Fry took us from cellar garnet Of the Golden Lio'
aAording us every possible facility for making Il
critical examination of the premises Inc cellar Wits
were OF the strongest and most substantial Character
more nearly resembling the foundations OF castle
than those Of "A small superstucture such as they
wore intended to carry and tn" roof tree ana rool
frame and rates. ip the garrett were small trees heW
10 fit the positions for which they were ntehded' Inc
wood had that firm set Of grain which age likes OH
well preserved wood, and the general appearance OF
wood and Of structure corre'ponded exactly Wi'i
that Of the Shakespeare birthplace house. Inc
,orrot remained substantially as il when built,
only one crudcly Constructed partition having been
removed other parts Of the premises had been
changed by various tenants so as to remove from "f
surface, least, any note OF their Veheraoe c'ii
actcr Cellar and garnet, however. bear the MARKS OF
years and will confirm any reasonable claim a' 10 tr
antiquity.
An ancient lease found in the house suggested
possibility that IA history Of the house could be Cd
tanned from the public records. and at our suggestion
Mr. Fry consult ii Mr.. Richard savage, the librarian
a shakespearcs birthplace. the most eminent Shahe
spcarian archacolog.st Of The day. Mr. savage WIFI
te uns.ltisb z,al Of the antiquarian, became al once
interested In tie subject. and the treasures oi HIS
library We're at once invaded in order that they might
possible be- made To Civ, up the secret for which we
were seeking The sub'c.t one requiring more
tim. than summer vis u, could devote to II ana me
Investigation le In Mr. Savages scholarly Keep
sinre returning 10 America | have been adviser
by letter that Mr. savage has been able TO trace me
record OF the old house far back a. January ID.
l6I three wears bnftr the death OF Shakespeare, III
which lime it conveyed by John Browne go;
,trntord on Avon. Cent to John lngralan for 2oo
Years aftcrwari II passed Ia MS wldow VINO mhIileu
william Yale. OF Er,'shHm ami through MN To uth'rS
whose nnmc> have. until in 1915 II was tlHnslerlel
and described ~ being known by the sign OF dhe
Peacock" thus indicating that IL had been known so
long by this name A. establish its Identity rs Inc
Peacock" Mr. savage /, confident that II was Known
by ihlI name In >hakcspcarc'S time. with SHAKE.
spparc, We established reputation a. convvlnlst II
Is no, making "A violent assumption in stating that
The Peacock. and that not few OF his mental photo
graphs OF men and things were taken within us
walls and ! confess that ] feel no small feeling OF
graduation that American inquisvcncss has
opened up another place OF interest in Stratord asso
clatcd With tho life Of the immortal poet. NJ least
hold the hope that the TWO Shakespearan scholars
and friends Mr. William Winter Of New York. ana
Mr. Richard Savage. Of STAFFORD. Will follow mp the
Glow that stumbled upon and establish its historical
accuracy. Those who have followed Mr.. Winters
Shakespcaran criticism. and have read his charming
books. ShakcSpcares England "wanterers' and
Giny DAYS and Cold will join In the wish that
point. and to the fitness Of Mr.. Richard savage
for the work. need quote but sentence from Mr..
Wintera's GRAY DAYS and Gold" in which he photo
graphs his friend when he slys " Mr. Richard
he church register and other documentary treasures
Of Warwckshre. furnished the proof Of this fact from
investigation Of the town records-which is but one
OF many services that he has rendered the old home
Of Shakes peare."
The results Of their Investigation would doubt
be given 10 the world by Mr.. Winter In his charming
way. and thus link Americans with a
>hakcspenrian fact. Nr. George ". ChiS has linked
an American name with shake pSare's town
Brooklyn July o. 1909.