The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-01-04
Letter from England.


While at Warwick yesterday. l learned
that Stra'f0rd-on- Avon was but ten miles
distant. Such an opportunity to visit this
classical spot was too good To be neglected
~ | soon found myself passing through
green meadows and over sluggish little
streams toward the house OF William
Shakespeare. at the station l picked up
little fellow named Edwards who acted as
guide for the trifing sum of eighteen cents
he was fourteen years of age but looked as
small as boy of eleven. His father was
dead and his mother and eight children
lived In rented house for which they paid
four dollars a month. He was glad to get
any work and said that three parts of the
men OF his town had nothing to do.
We passed down narrow street, turned
corner and entered a meadow passing
through which We crossed q stile aud pro-
ceeded down winding lane to another
meadow and after several more turns and
crossing bridge, we came TO Anne Hatha-
ways cottage. Here is where the gay
young Billy did his counting and the old oak
| settre upon which the two lovers sat is still
preserved within the kitchen. The house is
composed of a miscellaneous assortment OF
flat lmestones, long red bricks and weather
beaten oaken timbers. Two large high
chlmneys of red brick surmount the root
which is covered TO depth OF two feet with
straw thatch.
Inside everything is Just as near like il
was in Shakespeare's times as human skill
can make it. The old oak tinbers are
sound and good. Much of the furniture
still remains including the dresser, table,
bedstead and chairs. The old lady who
guides you over the house is descendant
of the Hathaway family and IN spite of her
eighty-two years is very entertaining per-
son. She showed us among other things tie
old Undertook by means Of which they
started fires in the olden times. A hole
nearly an inch deep had been worn into the
steel by the constant friction between it and
the flint. She remembered when they were
used to start the fire In the large fireplace to
her left also when they ate from wooden
trenchers, one Uf which she showed us, in
place of plates. 1t was a square white
board followed out IN the center and having
another little hollow at one corner for hold
ing salt. l should judge they had 10 butter
at all in those days for 1t is not found on
tables for dinner and if you want it at any
other meal it is ordered separately the same
| as tea or coffee.
The floor was formed of OldfashiOned
smooth stones. ''They don't wear away and
kick up adjust like the new stone floors"
said the old lady. Then she led us up stairs
TO the best chamber and called our attention
to a fine bedstead made as she said of heart
! of oak. Many generations of the Hathaway
family had used that Ged and slept on the
same rush mattress and yet it was sound as
ever
Many illustrious persons have visited this
quaint old cottage and the old lady NEIL
toned among others, Dickens, Irving, Long
fellow, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Garfield and
Mark Twain. Holmes" she said, Twas
especially pleased with the fine oaken tim
beIs." Several of the visitors left her their
photos and autographs and the chatty old
body gave me much pleasuse by her original
remarks concerning her visitors. MARK
Twain was quiet and said not much to me,
sir. He was talking to painter who was
painting this room at the time, sir, only |
thought he had not much heart, sir to say
that Queen Emma had no right to sign her
name, queen, sir when he did not sign his
own name, sir, for Mark Twain IS not his
real name, believe, sir. His wife was a
good woman but he was an odd man. SIR"
And so she continued to talk in her own
peculiar manner. AS time was pressing |
reluctantly babe her good bye and then
wended my way to holy Trinity church
where Shakespeare is buried. Like so
many English churches it is worth a weeks
study at least. Oliver w. Holmes used to
visit the chancel early every morning during
spiration from the surroundings for the
book he was writing at the time.
Many Americans visit this church 10 see
he tombstone of the great dramatist. 1t is
a plain gray colored flagstone just inside the
railing and not far from it to the left in
niche in the wall is his bust from which
many of his portraits have been taken.
Everybody knows Shakespeare's epitaph.
will repeat another equally as good which
found in the church yard.
what faults you in me saw,
Pray strive to shun
And look at home. There's
Something to he DONE"
Another striking epitaph was in Hebrew
grave-plot over the grave of lad named
Moses. From Moses to Moses there is
none like Moses"
Besides Shakespeake's tomb the church
contains the font much muiiated and worn,
in which he was baptised, the record of his
birth and death and an old chain Bible Of
1920. The Oldest thing in the church is a
stone communion table dating back To- the