The Washington herald., 1913-10-18
ny JULIA MARLoWE.

It Is strangely the case that almost all
biographers OF Shakespeare dismiss his
daughters. Susannah and Judith, as being
illiterate and incapable of writing their
own names. 1t comes as a shock to the
modern mind that neither Shakespeare 8
mother, Mary Arden. nor his wife, Ann
Hathaway, were capable of writing their
own name to a legal document
In the case Of Ann Hathaway, there
might be some excuse, but that Mary
Arden, daughter OF a distinguished fam
lily, could not write her name Is most
surprising. However, Andrew Lang. in
his posthumous work. Shakespeare.
Bacon. and the Great Unknown" points
out that the daughters or several distin-
guished men of the time were equally
incapable. There Is much doubt, how.
ever, that this can be said of Shakes
peare's daughters, Susannah and Judith
While there is no doubt whatever as tc
Susannah's ability to write. there is some
as to Judith. There is In the Birthplace
Museum at Stratford excellent signatures
of Susannah which prove that she could
write with facility.
Were IL that these two daughters OF the
Bard of Avon were tne illiterate girls
that they are so often pictured, 1t Is
rather surprising that each should have
married men Of learning and Distinction.
When Susannah Shakespeare was twenty
four years old-that is. In June, 160l-she
married. DIR. John Hall. distinguished
physician, then residing at Stratford. DR..
Hall was one of the most eminent men
Of the time In his profession. He was a
writer on medical subjects. and practiced
as a physician in the noblemen's houses
in the neighborhood. DR.. Hall had not
only built up an extensive practice, but
was elected Burgess of the town. and in
1888 became the Wears church warden.
He was a deeply religious man; he won
the esteem OF both Puritan and Catho-
lies and presented to the Stratfsrd Church
a costly pulpit.
Married Cultured sIan.
When DR.. Hall died. in 1885 his skill as
a physician was fittingiy recognized at his
burial. That he was a man OF distinction
and good family is proved by the coat
OF arms on bis grave in the chancel Of
Trinity Church. In his will he-left his
study of books" as well as his manu-
scripts, to his son-in-law, Thomas Nash.
Now, II seems ineomprehensible that
man of DR.. Halls distinction would have
married the illiterate daughter Of a stroll
ing player. as some writers would have US
believe. We are informed that in 164s
James Cook, an army surgeon, connected
with a troupe of royalists at Stratford.
called upon Mrs. Hall and examined the
manuscript left by her husband That
Mrs. Hall was a woman OF some standing
in the community is proved by the fact
that in 1642 Eerietta Maria, Queen OF
Charles l. stayed three days and three
nights with Mrs Hall at New Place. We
have also indisputabIe evidence that
Prince Rupert was also q visitor Of Mrs.
Hall at New Place. When Mrs. Hall died
on July II, 1919. she was buried in STRAIT
ford. and the following lines appear above
her grave:
witty above her Sexe. but that's net an.
Wise TO Salvation was good Mistress Han.
Something Of Shakespeare was in that. but this
wholly Of him with whom she's now in blisse.
Then. passenger, hast mere tearc.
To weepe with her that wept with ALI
That wept, yet set herself to chere
Them up with comforts cordial.
Her love shall live. her mery srresd.
When thou has neer teare to she'd
These lines do not indicate In the
slightest degree that Mrs. Hall was an
illIterate. for it says distinctly that she
was witty above her sexe." and In that