New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-30

history with the most scrupulous care. and I
recall his telling me that this was the only GER
tain link with Shakes eare the man dlc not
agree al the time, but ] have come nearly TO the
same opinion since. Would that I could have
faith d srain OF mustard seed in the so-called
Anne Hathaway's tTinket box at New Place,
or the ola clothes chests in Henley-sLl
Perhaps the greatest delUslon remains for the
visitor who goes 10 Shotery with the firm con-
victIon that he win there find Anne Hathaway's
cottage. There Is a picturesque homestead there
Famous all the world over the birthplace Of
Shakespcare's wife and the scene OF his court
ship. The chimney corner in which the lovers
sat lis duly pointed Out; the lattice window at
which The girl watched Tor the poets coming
across the fields is shown q verify. and made
10 excite the most romantic fervor. And yet no
Anne hathaway ls TO DE traced In Shottery rec
or5s. Mr. Sidney Lee finds an Agnes. who might
have been called Anne, but even this does
not prove that 81 was Shakespeare's sweet
heart. Charles knight, most credUloUs Of ell
Shakespcare's bioerapLers. sadly admits: We
cannot say absolutely that Anne Hathaway was
Of Shcttery." Mr.. SuoUdcu Ward arrives at the
same cor clusiol. and ADDS that there were three
Hathaway families from whom the poets wife
might have come. But even IL Anne lived in the
cottage, her cottage disappeared long ago; the
present structure is only part Of Richard Hatha-
ways Farm, and, as Mr.. Lee says, has under
gone many alterations and renOvations.' AS for
The family itself its male line became extinct one
hundred and sixty years ago, and the late Mrs.
Baker-"the last OF the Hathaways''- a
pioIs deceiver who had 10 real claim TO the con-
s-1efatlon she received. In the light OF such
facts, what are we ID say Of the Shakespeare
and Hathaway relics" AT the cottage? What
reply shall make TO that typical extrava-
gauce INDUCED in by Dr. Brandes who draws
"a picture OF Shakespeare's journey to the cot
taEe.-"Ee would enter. and look once more
upon the wooden bench in the chimney corner
on Nhch he and she had sat IN their ardent
youth. There was the old fifteenth century bed
IN which Anne's parents had slept. with her as
a child. at their feet" The Anne Hathaway
bedroom II not myth, IS not a demonstrated
TACT The fireplace where the lovers sat in
ihelr ardent youth Us a pretty fancy The lat
lice window is there. but whether Shakespeare's
wife was ever within a mile or two Of Il is omen
70 discussion Shottery Is full OF delightful ro-
I nance. but romance should not be offered
I Shakespeariau pilgrims as substantial realities
The Stratford legends and the alleged Shak e-
/ spearian relics should be known for what they
I are At a period when a determined attack is
being made upon the poets fame and when
coubt Is cast upon his very Identity Stratford
. should be the last place 10 lend itself 10 any
. fDrm OF impostare, innocent or designed Nv So
doing 81 Dr. only supplying ammunition FOR rbe
attention TO few salient facts out OF the many
. I have noted IN order 10 warn the Stratfo-a an
. thorities OF the risk they are mourning Shake
. speaTe becomes no clearer 10 US by false rem
f Teseut8fiOn or by uncertain association In Mr.
salt Brassingtou, 20 the Memorial Theatre and
in ATr. Richard Savage. ar New Place a thor
cugEly representative body OF trustees free
from an local ties. and truly recognizing their
. responsibility 20 the nation and 10 the whole
world OF letters would find able experienced
scholarly and expert advisers They need more
+ scope A national trust would give IL 10 them.
and would free the Shalzespea shrine OF its
present defects and make il one that we could
/ approach revereutly. without disturbing fears
and with easy consciences.