The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-06-19
KEATS.SHELLEY MEMORIAL.
Americans Back OF The Plan 10 buy the
House In which the Former Died.

Announcement Is made OF the partial
SUCCESS OF a movement begun about three
years ago by eight American writer's in
Italy for the purchase Of the house in which
the poet John Keats died in Rome. The
movement has been prose cuted in secrecy
up to this time, but now that an option has
movers in the matter think the time has
come to make their progress public.
Keats died in a house on the Piazza di
Spagna, at the foot Of the picturesque Span
ish steps, which, oddly enough, are owned
by France. 1t is proposed to mako the house
a permanent memorial not only of Keats
but Of Shelley, who was later buried in the
Protestant Cemetery not far from where
the body Of the younger poet lies.
1t is the idea to collect in the Keats house
a library that shall contain all the writings
both in prose and poetry of the two great
English poets in all their editions. as we'll as
whatever OF comm Mt and criticism has been
written regarding them. The collie ction
will also include original portraits of Keats
and Shelley and photographs of places
and persons associated with them and their
memories in whatever way. In short, 1t
is planned to make the house not only a
memorial Of the two poets but also the best
equipped Workshop in the world for those
who wish to study their lives and writings,
1t is further hoped that this memorial
will make it certain for all time that the
graves of Keats and Shelley will not be
altered or their remains moved. Some
years ago II was proposed to move the body
of Keats. and only the active intervention
OF Queen Victoria prevented Its being
done. 1t is part of the present plan to make
the trustees of the Keats house guardians
of the graves of both Keats and Shelley.
The originators Of the scheme have
raised sll 900 Of the s2i 900 which is needed
to complete the purchase of the Keats house.
An eight months option has Just been
signed and about 81 600 has been paid down
to bind it. 1t is not impossible that, In view
Of the public and international aspect Of
the enterprise, the Italian Government
will remit the transfer tax OF bou 81, 900.
1t is thought needful to raise something
more than the s21 900 asked for the house,
in order to provide an endowment fund.
The work ia in charge OF informal commit
tees In Rome and In England, and in this
country Robert Underwood johnson Ia seo-
rotary OF the American committee.
King Edward Of England and the King
of Italy have both expressed their hearty
approval Of the movement, as has Presi-
dent Roosevelt. President Roosevelt wrote
this letter to Mr.. johnson:
As you know. I am greatly interested In the
project to buy and preserve as a memorial
the house in Rome in which Keats died, a
project which was first called to my attention
by John Hay. who felt the ~liveliest sympathy
for it. The associations of the building
are such as to make it peculiarly fitting that
II should be purchased and that therein
should be established a permanent memorial
in honor OF Keats and Shelley. ! am glad
that the movement to establish this memorial.
both in the form of a memorial library and in
in the form OF providing for the perpetual
care OF the graves of the poets, should have
been set on foot by our countrymen.