Catoctin clarion., 1896-05-28
The Life of Sha kspere.
BY MISS BLANCHE HAMMETT.

William Shakspcre was born In April IN
the year 1864, at Stratford upon Avon, War.
wick Co., England. His father, John Shak.
spere, prosperous burgess of Stratford,
married in 1857 Mary Arden, the wealthy
dau ghter of his lately deceased landlord.
William was the third of eight children and
was christencd in Stratford church on the
Goth of April, 1864, having most likely been
born on the 23rd, according to tradition.
To the free grammar school Of his native
town Shakspere was sent to receive the tech
nical part of his education. AS we'll as Eng
lish he was there taught Latin, and learned
little Greek. The evidence Of Brinsley,
who was Shaksperc's contemporary, proves
that the constant speaking of Latin by all
the ooys of the advanced grades, was indis'
pensiblc even in the smallest and poorest OF
the country schools. OF letter-writlng In
Latin the same holds true; and this was dill.
gently and successfully practiced in the
Stratford school, as we know from the result.
Having remained at school for six years,
Shakspere, being pupil of unusual quick
ness and ability, endowed with rare strength
of mental grip, and firmncss of moral purpose
must have acquired q fair mastery of Latin
both coloquial and classical. Later,possibly
when in London, he gained some knowledge
of French and also Italian.
During Shakspcre's first year at the gram.
mar school his father was made chief alder
man of Stratford. The plays and players
that occasionally visited the town, were
welcomed by the corporation aud no doubt
William, his fathers eldest son may frequent.
ly have been taken to entertainments In the
Guildhall
When Queen Elizabeth made her noted
visit to Kenilworth in 1875 and was enter
tanned by Leicester with gorgeous ceremonies
and spcctacles, it IS quite likely Shakspere
was a spectator as Stra,fnrd Is only short
walk to Keuilworth.
According to Rowes account Shaksperc
left school in 1878. The cause Of the with.
drawal no doubt was the growing embarrass-
mcnts of his fathers affairs and the boy being
needed TO assist in the various departments
of his fathers business. Thus he was com.
PEELED to leave school two years before he
had completed the usual course for boys
going into business, or passing on to the
universities.
From the year 1878 the fortunes Of John
Shak5pere declined Six years later he was
deprived of his alderman's office, and pros
perity did not smile on hlm until the year
1892, when his son William became known
as successful dramatist From this time
forth owing to the energy and love ofhis son,
it is almost certain that the old man was
restored to position of comfort which lasted
until his death in 1901.
In the winter of 1882 William Shakspere
married Anne, the daughter of Richard Hath
away, a moderately wealthy yeomau LIVING
at Shottery not quite one mile from Stratford.
Anne was eight years older than her husband
Three children were born to them.
Many of the poets biographers have as.
sumed that the marriage was hasty, un.
suitable, and unhappy one. Therefore 1t
is necessary to repeat with emphasis
the we'll founded statement of Halliwell Phil
ips, that ''there is not particle fdirect evil
dence" for either Of these supposiions.
The immediate cause of Shaksperc's de-
parture from Stratford is thus told by Rowe,
his first biographer. Like many young
fellows Shakspere had by misfortune, fallen
into ill company; and had been engaged with
some of his companons-whom made prac'
tice OF deer stealing-more than once in
robbing a park belonging to Sir Thomas
Lucy, of Charleco,e Sir Thomas, 1t is said,
prosecuted him sharply for the offence, and
in retaliation he wrote satrical ballad upon
him which so incenscd the baronet that
Shakspere was obliged to leave his family
in Warwickshire for time and shelter him.
self in London"
From 1884 IS we hear nothing Of Shak-
spere until he is spoken of in 1892 rs sue.
cessfu actor and author. The first certain
reference to him is that of Robert Greene,
who became jealous of him because of his
growing popularity. He termed HIM an
"upstart crow" and endeavored to make his
fellow.authors hate him, as did he. It is
interesting to note however, that the ''upstart
crow" of the jealous Greene was recognized
by Spenser, one 80 much greater than Greene,
as "a young eagle In boldness of strength of
fight"
To the Earl of Southampton the poet ded-
icated in 1903, Venus and Adonis, which
proved distinguished literary success, and
in the following year Lucrece, with dedi-
cation to the same noble person written in
words of strong affection. "What I have
done is yours; what have to do is yours;
being part Of all l have, devoted yours"
The Earl, generous youth, had no doubt
recognized Shakspere's genius, and when he
was scoffed at by Greene, had come forward
to vindcate him from Greene's aspers,ons.
This generosity of spirit In time of anxiety
and trouble, no doubt caused Shakspere to
give up his heart unrestrained to one who
seemed so noble and so liberal of love
In the winter of 1898 Shakspere appeared
twice with Burbage as member of the Lord
Chamberla,n's company before Qneen Eliza.
beth. He was now rapidly gaining wealth
and distinction, and looking forward TO his
return to Stratford to live there as gentle.
man.
Shaksperes first great grief came to him
in 1906, when his only son, Mamnet, died.
Although this diminished the poets hope of
founding family he did not relax his efforts
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