Newark post. (Newark, Del.) 1910-1969, 1916-04-12

This is the first of series o:
two papers-the first sketchinf
briefly the London of Shakspere
and the second, which will appear
next week, treating the arrange
ment of the theatres, the compan
les of players, the methods of writ
ing and presenting plays, etc, Of
Shakspere's time.
The observance of the Tercen
tenary of the death Of the worlds
greatest dramatist throughout the
country and especially at Della
ware College and the Women's
College of Delaware naturally eX,
cites the curiosity of all admirers
and lovers of the Bard of Ages
to know something of the time in
which he lived-of Elizabethan
England and of London in particu-
lar.
Between the years 1890 and 1916,
when London WAS the dramatic
center of the world, it's inhabi-
tants numbered only 125,000-ap-
proximately the number living in
Wilmington to day. Although
more or less isolated, it was also
cosmopolitan. It was the center
of the explorers to every part of
the globe. The feeling of nation
atty which has been characteris-
tic of England for the last two
or three centuries was perfected
at this time.
During Elizabeth's reign, Lon
don was picturesque city. On
the narrow, ill-paved, and dirty
streets mingled gorgeous coaches
of the nobility and broken down
drays of poor tradesmen, hand
somely dressed Spanish grandees
who were visiting the country and
indians from the North America
who had been brought over by
traders and adventures, captains
and sailors just returned from
long voyages and ENJOYS from
other courts and rustics from the
provinces. In the shop windows
could be seen splendid silks from
the East and tobacco from Virgin
ia and gold from South America
and tropical fruits from the West
Indies. It was a time of excite
ment and life ran high. During
the day splendid professions led
by the Queen and her court made
their way through the narrow,
streets, gazed at in wonder by the
poor, even wretched and destitute,
inhabitants. Queerly dressed men
and women from distant towns
and shires crowded the taverns
across the river" Country gentle
mer-people who were somewhat
back home"-came up to "The
City" only to lose their identity
and Importance in the whirl of the
metropolis, just as now people go
to New York, under the impress
sion that they are enjoying life
and seeing "The World"
London at the time of Shakspere
was divided into two parts: the
City Proper on the north side of
the Thames, and the Bankside on
the south side of the Thames.
These two parts were connected
by London Bridge.
The City Proper was surround
ed by a wall, through which people
entered and left by way of seven
gates. Many places of interest
were to be seen by the average
observer-places which to us have
acquired much of the glamor and
unreality which comes with the
passage of time. One of the most
interesting sights was the Tower
of London-an old fortress begun
by William the Conquorer to pro-
tect the city against attack and
himself againts revolts by his own
people. Nearly all the political
history of England centers about
this fortress. Here were confined
mobiles suspected of treason; here
were executed men and women
who were suspected of plotting
against the Queen; and here, at
the present day, if we may be
pardoned depression, are tried
men suspected of being spies
against Great Britain. In single
tower of this fortress was con-
fined Anne Boleyn, the mother of
Queen Elizabeth, and here also