New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-12
JOHNSON MEMORIAL at LICHFIELD.
Funds Needed to Repair and Restore House
in Which Writer Was Born.


Sir: Twenty years ago-in 1sS7-Alr- James
Henry Johnson, Of West Lindeth, Silverdae-a
narnesaks but reIa purchased the birth
place Of DR.. Samuel Johnson. and by the terms OF
his Will empowered his representatives 10 sell II
10 tho CITY Of Lichdeld or % any one who would
preserve 1t as . memorial OF The great man VINO
was born there In 1900, Northumberland Joan
Gilbert, Y. d, became the purchaser and presented
II his native city The corporation. 70 whose
safe keeping II intrusted, converted IL into a
johnson Ibrury and museum, and IN 1891 II was de-
icated 70 public uses by DR. George BirLbeck HILL
the gifted JohUsonian student and scholar, in the
presence OF the members of the Johnson Club tLOn-
dom. and the Right Hon Augustine BirreN- the
brilliant essayisJ and advocate. I'm a lecture warm
" commended the scheme Since then many price,
less Sits have been made 10 the insttDt-"u-nooEs
models, pictures, manuscripts and rel'S-aad II
grows IN value and interest year BY year
The johnson House Committee acting for the
corporation, have done their best 70 maintain II
as a memorial OF IIchdeld's most lusJrious citi-
Zen but have been sadly crippled by the resources
at their command The expenditure OF the CORPORA
ton is limited by the trifng maximum which
acts OF Parliament allow for the maintenance or
free libraries. museums and historic houses. and
little OF what Is required can be done from r'u-
ncipal sources Recently the mouse ana sloP ~.
ioning-bstween the birthplace and the good Oh
fashioned inn. The Three crowns WaeTe Joiih-
son visited. and where, writes BoSWeL, tnsy ~.
dulged in hbatiOns OF the Ammo Donlint L1cA1eld
ale-feu into tho market Once. in 1913, the BIRTH
place OF Or. Johnson Itself narrowly escaped ue-
structon from fire which occurred at this very
house and shop. when seven lives were lost by SUI
location The Conduit Lands Trust. local char
toward the purchase OF this house and shop, and
there It is proposed. the caretaker and ms VIE
fires IN the Johnson house and 10 allow OF IN
proved heating. we'll "a 10 give enlarged accom-
mediation for books pictures, relics. etc.
This will be a great gain, but unfortunately tls
Johnson house itself IS falling INTO decay, ana
substantial repairs have become necessary 70
render the old building safe. The house prooeoy
dates from the middle OF the seventeenth century,
and certainly passed into the hands OK sL4cAasi
johnson, the bookseller, thu father OF Sa-nnai
T,b, corIy- in fha efuhfaAOrh.
therefore surprising that IL should need reaoveGa
and PREPARATION. Externally tho building seners.
retains much Of its original appearances, -.
changes In tenancies have caused departures u
minor details. which have become incOngruoUss a.
are inconsistent with ITS retention as = n1-. .srs
ago was born there. and where his fatherI fnoui'
and brother died.
Taking all the circumstances into consldersnoI-
the Johnson House Committee has resolved. "iLa
the approval OF the corporation 10 undertake 70
complete restoration OF the historic building eno
to make an appeal to the public 20 raise tno
requisite funds Old prints and sketches OF s sI1
house have been diligently studied. and e1Ier -
and anxious thought It has been decided 70 toAos
the lines OF the drawings which pEoVldo tIs -
authentic and accurate data for tne pufpCseN, =
commencement has been made with Micaael so To-
sons shop, from which the modern sI1CP H
will be- removed and replaced by double w1 49,
of the period OF DR.. Johnson and Il Is erH.Iy-Hs
10 DO able 10 announce that tho old oak oea--S
have been found In excellent state OF ptSS,
ton. and that clear indications have been UsSt "a
OF the form in which the shop existed wen ,S,-
Q
her place behind the counter TO help granny
To carry out this undertaking some hnhoIeus 80 -
pounds Will be required The fu1 amount 90 -.
only become known the work proceeuS.
enable the committee fulfil their opnsSuo1s'.
have been asked by them. Mayor OF the cty nS -
issue an appeal AS a native or the place 49, -
gave DR.. Johnson BIRTH shall be pleased % ~ -
The admirers of DIR. Johnson are legion A9e5
/ 10 be found in every country where tne Gle- ~,
/ language is read spoken. Through the pasIss
/ Roswelrs inImitable biography, his me- us -,
/ acter and his works have become known an. %
shrlned In the great treasury OF Engli7h nle -
IIchhelds ulustrious has taken his place IVA
side the imnortals To his cOuntryfnen a. Eo =,
and beyond the seas, TO his hosts or a1llii ,.sl
! America and other nations, appeal. anu -
sure | shall not appeal In VAIN Two years ns, NJ,
/ on September IS 1909. shall celebrate 10 Nv
centenary of his birth and II is only ntens t s N
that time his birthplace shall nave oooI - - "a
/ order and renovated and restored, be III eseIs -
speet worthy Of the greatness and faIne OF N
/ the nohlest characters IN English hterature. A
! / therefore cordially invite tho co-operauoa
all admirers OF DIT. Johnson in this laudaois Inv
ment and praIseworthy undertaking.
have the honor TO be- yourS ooedlensys
E. W. WELGHMANs
Mayor OF lAchieu..
| The Guild Hall Lichheld Staffordshire. hnsiaN"