The Republican journal., 1902-02-06

tically filled up the entire room. Afte1
registering our names in the visitors
book, and taking last glance at the
familiar looking blue willow ware plates
on an old dresser, we again boarded the
break and were soon back at the Colder
! Lion" where we lunched. That i'm
portant ceremony over we walked te
Trinity Church, where we saw the book
in which Shakespeare's birth and chris
tening are recorded, and also the font at
which he was baptised. His grave, OF
rather the stone over his grave, was the
principal point of interest, and the
quaint inscription was deciphered with
interest:
"Good friend for Jesus sake forebeare
To digg the dust enclosed heare.
BleSe be We man spares thes stones,
| And curSt be he moves my bones"
In coming out the curate called ou1
attention to the wing built by Ameri-
cans and called the american chapel.
The.,famous bust of the Sweet Swan of
Avon" was also pointed out to us. A
short walk along the street parallel
| with the river brought us to the Memo
rial theatre. 1t is thus described:
'The Memorial comprises theatre,
picture gallery and library. The first
stone was laid on April 23rd, 1877, by
the Right Hon. Lord Leigh, with full
| Masonic ceremonies, the site of the
buildings and handsome donations to-
ward the funds being contributed by the
late Mr.. Charles E. Flower. Further
| contributions were given literally by
English and American Shakespeareans.
On April %, 1879. the theatre was
opened with a performance Of Much
Ado about Nothing" in which Lady
Martin Helen Faucit) and Barry Sulii-
van took part. A Shakespearean Festi-
val is held at the theatre annually, in
April. The picture gallery contains a
good collection of paintings iilustrat-
ing scenes i'll Shakespeare's plays, por-
traits of celebrated actors and actresses
and special collection of portraits of
Shakespeare.
The library was first visited, where
the various editions of Shakespeares
works are shelved, and numerous in
interesting relics displayed. The gal
lery was intensely interesting. On the
side OF the stairway leading to it were
series of Water-cOlors portTaving the
Seven Ages of Man, and in small
room at the head of the stairs were
statues and paintings of actors. and ac-
tresses, many Of the latter being Amer
leans. In the larger room were small
statues Of two muSes-dramatic and
lyric poetry-and many fine pictures.
\ llte-SlZe picture of Hamlet, loaned
by the artist, and smaller portrait of
Booth in the same character, specially
impressed us.
We had peep at the theatre and its
ridiculously small stage, where so many
celebrities have trod, celebrating the
birth month of the master of their art.
Another short walk, passing the George
w. Childs' Memorial, a combination Of
clock tower and drinking fountain, and
we found ourselves on Henley street,
where the Star of poets first saw the
light. Ringing the bell, custodian
opened the door, and, the usual sixpenee
paid. we We're admitted to the kitchen,
or living room, with its low ceiling,
wide, old-fashioned fireplace and rough
stone floor The room was bare of fur
nlture, save for long, rough, wooden
table at one side, and two ancient chairs.
Ascending the stairs leading from the
back room we found ourselves in the
birth room, a small low -ceiinged place,
almost destitute of furniture. and with
a fire place similar to the one below.
The walls and ceilings We're literally
covered with a perfect network of
names, the guide pointing out Sir
Walter SCOTS and what remains of
Dickens and Thackery's. 1t was with
ii strange sensation of reverence and
awe that found myself standing with
in the walls where the immortal Shakes
peare was boru-a feeling of oppression,
almost, and it was rather a relief to es-
cape to the back room where the Gus
todlan opened the tiny easement Win
dow and we looked out into the Shakes
pearean garden-where all the trees and
flowers mentioned in the poets works
have, as far as was practical, been
planted
"Datfodils,
That come before the swallow dares, and
take
The winds of March with beauty; violets
dim,
But sweeter than the lids of Juno's eyes,
Or Cytherea's breath; pale primroses,
That die unmarried ere they can behold
Bright Pheobus in his strength, a malady
Most incident to maids bold oxlips and
The crown-imperial; lilies of all kinds,
The t1ower-de-luce being one
-Winter Tales