The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-24

sHAKsPEARE1s BIRTHDAY @CELE-
DRAFTED AT NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
dwelling of a Memorial window and
Presentation OF Edwin Booths Por-
trait, Both Gifts of Americans.

STRATFORD-ON-AvON, April 23.-This
was the third and final day OF the celebra-
ton Of Shakspeare's birthday. The inhabit-
ants turnsd out in holiday attire, the streets.
which were brilliantly decorated with Amer
lean and British flags. were crowded with Wis
itors. and everything possible was done to
make the event a memorable one. United
States ambassador Bayar5 and his wife and
daughter arrived here at IL :3e a. M, in COM
pany with George II. Parker, the United
States consul at Birmingham. The other
guests did not arrive until noon. They IN
cluded a number OF members of the Players
Club, OF New York, which organization has
presented, through Mr.. Parker. a portrait OF
Edwin Booth as Hamlet to the Shakespeare
Theater and Museum.
AS soon as the II O'Clock train arrived the
bells were rung and the streets became
packed with people hurrying to witness the
unwilling OF the window in the Shakespeare
church. The money for the window was con-
triDuted by American visitors to the church.
Mr.. Bayard drove to the church. accom-
panied by Lord Leigh, the Lord Lieutenant
OF Warwickshire, and when the United
States ambassador entered the edifce Hail,
Columbia" was played on the organ. The
church was denseiy crowded, and the cere-
mony was most impressive. A wreath OF
laurel and lilies. placed upon the poets
tomb. constituted the only decoration OF the
church
dress. referred to the special significance
given to the present commemoration by
Americas tribute, pointing out the timeliness
Of the gift as containing in the recognition
OF Shakespeare a common bond of feeling ana
sympathy. Vicar Arbuthnot then made A
speech describing the window. after which
Mr.. Bayard was escorted TO a raised dais in
OF the curtain covering the beautiful window,
and the American memorial TO Shakespeare
was unveiled. Mr.. Bayard thereupon made a
few appropriate remarks. which were well re-
After the ceremony Vicar Arbuthnot said:
II wish to thank all America for this noble
gift. presented TO the church by anonymous
American donors. 1t does much to knit the
relations between the two countries" The
few Americans pre.ent included Mr.. and
Mrs. ]. w. Parks. OF Pittsburg. Pa Mr.. o.
H.. White. OF New York: Nr. james Buchan-
an. OF Bostons and Bret Harte.
After the ceremonies at the church had
been concluded the company had luncheon AT
the town hall. Mr.. Bayard met with an en-
thusIastic reception. and in replying briefly
to the toast 10 his health said:
a toast on his heath. he made an address
in which he said: Il am inclined TO think
that Shakespeare was as good an American
as he was an Englishman. Americans are
not In the least disposed to permit English
men a primary share in the reputation and
character or that wonderful man. Ii Is
here in his home that we have met In his
honor and net without a shadow OF differ
ence. There is no boundary line 10 Ii. He
put an end TO that. loud cheers.) Sitting
face to face as / am with representative
Engiishmen, and English women. there Is
so little OF absolute differences between
those L see here and those L see at home:
such an absolute similarity OF habit and
manner Of speech win not say of intona-
ton: we are provincia1s and may differ from
other proyincials In. that-laughter), that I
am convinced that no two peoples ON the
face OF the earth have so much In common
as the freemen or America and the freemen
OF Great Britain. The man who fails 10
see that and perhaps the one who does not
feel IL VIII probably be found TO be neither
an Engiishman nor an American. We feel
the community Of race and speech, and we
feel that we are commemorative the man
who was the master in the use Of our
mother tongue"
Mr.. Parker read letters or apology and re-
greet AT their Inability 20 be present from
Mary Anderson CMrs. Nayarro) and Sir
Henry Irving. both expressing their delight
that Booths portrait should be placed In
the thtater. Mr.. Bayard followed Mr..
Parker with a short speech on acting as an
art
The Mayor. who responded to Lord Leigh's
toast OF Thu President OF the United
states" spoke OF the deep affection the Eng
nDs people had for Lincoln and Garfield, and