The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1909-09-09
JOHNSON'S BIRTHDAY
England to Celebrate Bicenten-
niaI of Writer'S Birth.
AN EXHIBITION OF RELICS
Actual House Remains In LichfieId
Where the Great Genius Was Born.
Old Three Crowns Inn Also Exists.
Sept. 18 the Big Day.

/ Where the Great Genius Was Born.
Old Three Crowns Inn Also Exists.
Sept. 18 the Big Day.
| Shakespeare excepted, 1t is doubtful
IL there is another great writer of the
past whose personality appeals more to
readers on both sides of the Atlantic
and to Americans in particular than
does that of DR.. Samuel Johnson, the
irascible English scholar and poet, re-
nowned photographer and hero of the
most remarkable biography ever writ
ten
Lichfeld, the little city In Stafford
shire, England, where DR.. johnson was
born, was his home for over thirty
years. This month is likely to see
Lichfield thronged with Americans, for
it is at this time that Johnson's city
will celebrate in a way worthy of his
fame the two hundredth anniversary
Of its great mans birth.
Preparations for the Johnson bicen-
tenary celebration have been going ON
for many months. DR.. Johnson en-
tered this mundane sphere on Sept. IS,
1909, and on Sept. 16, 1909 the COM
memoration exercises in his honor will
begin at Lichfield with an exhibition
of relics of the grouchy old philosopher
In the venerable house in Market square
where he first saw the light of day.
| Authentic Birthplace.
Unlike a good many other literary
shrines, there is no doubt about the
authenticity of DR.. Johnson's birth
place. Luckily for the photographer
admirers, the quaint two storied house
with pillars where old Michael John
son kept his bookshop became the
property of the corporation of Lich-
field few years ago. 1t then was in
sorry condition, but has been rever
emily restored and now is practically
as it was when Samuel Johnson lived
In it. Part of the exhibition of John
soniana which visitors to the house
will see next September is a perma-
nent collection which has been formed
and placed in the building since its ac-
QUESTION by the corporation, but other
relics of the sage are to come from
many quarters. While examining these
and going through the house visitors
will be able to use their imaginations
and picture the famous moralist first
as Juvenile poet apostrophizing
good master duck and what not 9TH
er pets and later as a studious youth
filling his head with the contents of
the tones In his fathers bookshop.
Later still they will see Johnson, who
was described as ''the best qualified
for Oxford of all the young men that
had ever gone there" home again
without his degree because of INSULT
cient means to continue his studies,
and finally they will figure him, after
the failure of his iii fated academy,
quitting Lichfield for London in COM
pany with David Garrick. who had
been one of his two pupils.
The second day of the Lichfield cele-
bration will be devoted mainly to visits
to places of interest associated with
Johnson and his friends One of these
will be the old Three Crowns inn,
which stands next door but one to the
Johnson homestead. Regarding it's
claim to have housed the choleric
scholar and his biographer there is no
question. DIR. johnson, in fact, almost
invariably put up at the Three Crowns
when he came down to Lichfield from
London. and he first brought Boswell
with him In the historic year 1776.
The old inn Is said to be practically
just as it was when Johnson and Bos-
well drank innumerable cups of tea
there.
To Play "She Stoops to Conquer"
On the afternoon of this day there
will be lecture on ''The Life and In
fuence of the Master at the Lichfieid
Grammar School," where Johnson was
a pupil under Hunter, which peda-
gogue he described as "very severe
and wrong headedly severe" On the
evening Of the second day of the cele-
bration there will be a performance
by local amateurs of Goldsmith's com.
edy "She Stoops to Conquer" which
was dedicated to Johnson.
Next day other places which are as.
: sociated with johnson and his friends
will be visited. Among these will be
for young gentlemen" in which the
scholar managed to sink most Of his
wife's little fortune. was situated.
Sept IS. Johnson's birthday, will
: however, be the big day of Lichfield's
celebration. On this date there will
be great gathering of citizens. visitors
and children In the Market square
where stand statues Of the doctor and
his faithful Boswell. Addresses viii
be made by distinguished scholars
hymns will be sung and medals pre-
sented. Later the mayor of Lichfeld
will hold a reception at the guildhal
and the annual meeting Of the johnson
club will be held The evening vii
witness Johnson supper at the old
George hotel. Sunday, Sept. 10, viii
see the end Of the JohnDp celebration
with service at the cathedral, which
has been described as the most chastt
. | and one Of the most perfect In the
vrop1xa