New-York tribune., 1906-06-19
A KEATS MEMORIAL.
Option on Poets House at Rome
Mr. RooSeUelts Letter.

Rome, June 11.-After years of negotiations ar
rangements have been concluded by which an
option has been obtained the house in the
Piazza di Spagna, in Rome where the poet John
Keats lived and died. This house is at the foot
or the picturesque Spanish steps which lead to the
Niua Medici, and. like 1t, owned by France.
IL Is now In fair way of being preserved
memorial not only OF Keats, but of his friend
Shelley, who was buried near him in the old
Protestant Cemetery of Rome. The plan of the
promoters of the project, which has been well
Kept from publicity in America, aims at a COM
pete library OF the various editions of the poems
and letters of the two great Englishmen. together
with all the obtainable criticisms of their work,
with original portraits photographs of places and
people associated with them. 1t is further planned
that the trustees of the house shall exercise per-
petual guardianship the graves of the poets.
as the older part Of the cemetery in which Keats
is buried has been threatened with inroads. and
the actual removal of his body once prevented
only by the Intervention of Queen Victoria
A movement to buy and preserve the house OF
Keats. and to establish in it memorial library of
the works of him and of Percy Bysshe Shelley.
set on foot in 1903 by eight American writer's, then
in Rome. Informal committees organized in
that city. in England and in the United States and
fund Of private subscriptions amounting to $1,000,
representing five hundred contributors. has been
raised and deposited at Plowden's Bank, in Rome.
The difficulties in the way Of getting option
the property have seemed at times insuperabe. but
option the house for eight months has just
been signed. the committee making advance pay
ment of 5000 francs the total purchase price of
10000 francs. The Italian transfer tax of about
5000 francs will be further addition to the cost.
unless it shall be remitted by legislative act in
view of the international and public aspects of the
enterprise.
The list of subscribers includes the most dis
tnguished names in the literary and political worlds
of England and America While the rentals of the
floors of the house which Keats and Shelley did
not occupy expected to be sufficient for the
maintenance of the memorial, the committees desire
raise by future subscriptions in the eight months
life Of the option. not only the remainder of the
purchase money, but enough to provide ample
endowment fund. Owners of editions and memorials
of the poets to be invited to contribute be-
queath them to the library.
The following letters to R. T. johnson, secretary
Of the American commission, show that the project
has received distinguished recognition:
January s. 1906
interested in the project to buy and preserve as
a project which was first called TO my attention
by John Hay who felt the liveest sympathy for
to make it peculiarly fitting that it should be pur-
ana enL 5herel T snoufd M 6e esta9hed
am glad that the movement to establish this
and in the form Of proVidng ron the perpetuaI
care Of the graves of the poets, should have been
LOU '' our THEopoRs RSea5H RoosEEEEET EGGET
American
Keats-Shelley Memorial No. 33 East 18th street
New York
Ministry of Royal House
Rome March 90. 1906.
His majesty the King. having already had per-
sonal cognizance from YOU of the proposition dis
tnguiShed English and American citizens to de-
vote the house in which John Keats died TO a Ii
brary OF the works, memorials and portraits of the
poet, and of Percy Shelley. and TO provide perma-
nent guardianship for their graves in Rome, wishes
to manifest his appreciation of noble an under
taking
To confirm this his majesty desires to formally
attest 10 you and through you to the committee,
how much he appreciates the solemn and durable
form of the project. and he sincerely hopes that
the house OF Keats, already dear to the English
and American peoples, will acquire new title to
their devotion by receiving and preserving afo
the works and souvenirs of Shelley for study and
Veneratieu.
The city of Rome will be proud to witness the
founding of this civic temple, sacred to the names
OF two 1llustrious men, who loved her and within
her walls meditated and wrote imperishable poems.
Accept, dear sir, my respectful compliments.
The Minister,
E PONZIO VAGLIA.
Robert Underwood Johnson
King Edward VII also has expressed interest in
the success of the enterprise.