The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-02-04
STRATFORD

The verdict of those who heard the
lecture at the library last night. on
the Canterbury Pilgrimage, by III.
Snowden Ward of England, was to the
effect that it proved to be delightful,
It was profusely illustrated by some
70 or 80 beautiful lantern slides. de-
plotting the lovely scenes and famous
old churches and buildings. along the
route the pilgrims took on their way
to the shrine of ST. Thomas at Canter-
bury There was not so much said
about Chaucer and his famous poem.
as there was about the incidents which
led up to the assassination of the Arch
bishop Of Canterbury. and the results
which followed. as the penance of the
king, and the stream of pilgrims which
began to pour into the cathedral city.
For the killing of an archbishop in a
cOnsecrated place. was considered to
be horrible sacrilege. and shocked
not only the people OF England but
those of France and other lands. Mr..
Ward began his lecture by saying that
last year he took message Of good
will and sympathy from this town to
the people of Stratford-on-Avon. and
they sent one in return. and called
attention to the fact that they have
established summer festival in the
old Stratford. especially for Americans.
who cannot find it convenient to be
present at the regular Shakespeare
festival. It has been founded with
high aims and ambitions. to teach the
youth of the rising generation self re-
jure no one. Also to unite the peoples.
especially the Americans with the Eng
fish. There are now three special
bonds of union between the old and
new Stratford-the Child fountain in
honor of Shakespeare: the room in the
Red Horse Inn made immortal by
Washington Irving. and the Harvard
House recently purchased by gentle
man in Chicago and given In trust to
Harvard University. Mr.. Ward invited
all STAFFORD folks to go to E1gland,
and said he would be glad if he could
get dollar or two from the town with
which to purchase wreath to place
on Shakespeare's birthday upon his
grave. He stated that last year
wreaths were received from Dayton,
Ohio. and Los Angeles. California. The
suggestion was received with applause.
and this dear old town will send, a
wreath to StratfOrd-on-AvOn. Ger
many. and Canada and Australia send
wreaths. zig
Many of the pictures thrown upon
the screen gave scenes along the old
tin road so-called. from the fact that
1t was the great highway from Corn
wallis tin mines for those who took
that metal to Europe. and even to At
RIGA. where it was used for the manu-
facture of bronze.
The views of Waiting street from
Dover to Anglesea, were extremely
pretty. and the quaint churches. pill
grim houses of rest. and views OF the
country side charmed the audience.
Of Thomas A'Becket. Mr.. Ward said,
he was very TALL extremely handsome.
had very small hands and feet. was
a great 1inguist. a remarkable chess
player. a real Roosevelt hunter. who
often killed more game than the king
himself. and was a diplomat. He was
born at Cheapside. London. and as
young man went to Paris to finish his
education. Owing to the death of both
parents he returned and became book
keeper to Theobald the Archbishop Of
Canterbury. When Theobald died. the
king insisted that Thomas should be
the Archbishop. Thomas consented
but declared that if the occasion de-
manded that he fight for the church
or the king. the church would come
first This led to the subsequent fall
ing out between himself and the King,
and eventually to his murder by those
who stood by the King. The rise and
progress of the pilgrimages was de-
scrfbed. and finally Chaucer. who crys-
talized the language Of the common
people of England in his poems. was
spoken of and his tomb in the Poets
Corner at Westminster. was shown. "A
brief account of Chaucer's famous
poem was given. and the Characters
depleted. Altogether the lecture was
p6TUtdpS. IL0 IIlOSl lHlcIcSIlI1k Illus 1dl
of the course. Judge Curtis introduce
ed the lecturer. and others noticed in
the audience were Mrs. Stiles Judson,
Miss Alice Judson.' David Coe and
wife. Mr.. Wilcoxson and wife. Frank
Brakeman, Mr. Powell. Meigs Russell,
Mrs. DeLacour. Radford Smith. Mrs.
Gunther Rev Arthur Shirley Mrs J.
w. Thompson. Mrs Taylor and many
others.
Sunday morning Rev. DR.. Packard
will exchange pulpits with Rev. Will
liam c.. Lathrop of Shelton. In the
evening there will be presentation
of the work OF the Christian Union Of
Bridgeport. Rev. Mr.. Simpson, super
intendent and Mr. jeremiah Holmes,
will bring with them several men re-
Gently rescued from the power Of
drink and other vices. through the
work of the Union. These men will
tell their story. Everybody will be
welcome. It will be union service,
the Methodist congregation joining.