Arizona republican., 1906-06-24
KEATS HOME
 A MEMORIAL
The Roman House Secured
 to Him Forever
End of Work in Which the Literary World Has Long Been Quietly Engaged.

Rome. June 23-After years of nego- uations, arrangements have been com- pleted by which an option has been se- cured on the house m Piazza di Spagna in Rome. where the poet John Keats lived and died. This house is at the foot of the picturesque Spanish steps which lead to the Villa Medici. and like it, are owned by France. It is now in fair way of being preserved forever as memorial. not only of Keats, but of his friend and elegist. Shelley. who was buried near him in the old Protes- tant cemetery of Rome The plan of the promoters of the project, which has been well kept from publicity in Amer ica. aims at complete library of the various editions of the poems and let ters of the two great Englishmen. to- gether with ali the obtainable criti- cisms of their work, with original DOT traits, photographs Of places and peo- pie associated with them. It is fur ther planned that the trustees of the ! house shall exercise perpetual guar dianship over the graves of the poets. as the older part of the cemetery. in which Keats is buried has been threat ened with inroads, and the actual re- moval of the grave was once prevented only by the intervention of Queen Vic toria
 A movement to buy and preserve the house of Keats and 10 establish in it memorial library of the works of him and of Percy Shelley was set on foot In 1903 by eight American writers. then in Rome; informal committees were or ganized in that city. in England and in the United States. and a fund of pri- vate subscriptions. amounting to S1I,- 0OO representing 500 contributors. has been raised and deposited at PowIen's bank in Rome. The difficulties in the way of obtaining an option on the property have seemed at times insuper- able. But an option on the house for eight months has just been signed. the committee making an advance pay- ment of sixty thousand francs (s6 0OO) on the total purchase price of 1O6. 900 frapcs (about $21,0OO)-o considerable concession on the part of the owner. The Italian transfer tax of about 5. 900 francs (about S21.O00)--a considerable cost. unless it shall be remitted by leg islative act in view of the international and public aspects of the enterprise.
 The list of subscribers includes the most distinguished names in the liter ary and political worlds of England and America. While the rentals of the A'SNi OA bAlG ltOuSe WHICH Keats and Hevern did not occupy are expected to be sufficient for the maintenance of the memorial. the committees desire to raise by future subscriptions. during the eight months life of the option. not only the remainder of the purchase money. but enough to provide an ample endowment fund. Owners of editions and memorials of the poets are to be invited to bequeath them to the library.
 The following letter to Mir R. U. Johnson, secretary of the American commission. show that the interna- tional comity of the project has re- ceiVed distinguished recognition;
 January, 5, 1906.
 My Dear MT. Johnson
 As you know I am greatly interested in the project to buy and preserve as q memorial the house in Rome in which Keats died. project which was first called to my attention by John Hay. Who felt the livliest sympathy for it. The associations of the buildings such as to make it peculiarly fitting that 1t should be purchased and that therein should be established a. per- manent memorial in honor of Keats