Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1892-08-13 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

ANNE HATHAWAY'S COTTAGE.  The purchase of Anne Hathaway's cottage at Shottery by the Shakspere Birthplace Trustees from Alderman W. Thompson, of Stratford-on-Avon, has just been completed. In March, 1891 (a contemporary says), Mr. Thompson offered to sell the cottage to the trustees for £3,300, but the amount was considered excessive. The matter then dropped until March of the present year, when the cottage was publicly advertised for sale. The trustees again opened negotiations with the owners, and ultimately decided to exercise the powers conferred upon them by the recent Act of Parliament and purchase, paying £3,000. This large sum absorbed nearly the whole of the reserve fund, but the purchase was almost imperative, because it was known that other persons, not only in England but in America and elsewhere, had communicated with Mr. Thompson. After purchasing the structure, the trustees had yet to become the possessors of the more interesting relics which it contained—the old bedstead and furniture which belonged to the occupier and custodian, Mrs. Baker. Her maiden name was Mary Taylor, and her great-grandmother was Susan Hathaway, said to be a collateral descendant of Anne Hathaway, the poet's wife. She was born at Aston Cantlow, but was taken to the cottage when a child, and has resided there for over 70 years, for 50 of which she has shewn the place to visitors. Although 80 years of age, she still retains very vivid recollections of the cottage in its original condition. Some 55 years ago her father sold the house to a Mr. Barnes, a farmer, for £325; but, yielding to her pleadings, she being the heiress to the property, he retained the furniture and lived and ended his days in the cottage. Mr. Barnes divided the house into two tenements; but Mrs. Baker continued to five in the original kitchen, and removed the historical bedstead from its place on the downstair floor into an upstair room in her portion of the house. The kitchen is wainscoted with carved oak; but several pieces are missing. The oak seat under the window on which the poet and his love are depicted sitting in the courtship engravings has disappeared; but the old worm-eaten settle is preserved in the kitchen. These, with the valuable old dresser, Bible, and linen-chests and other interesting relics, have now been acquired by the trustees; but Mrs. Baker will continue in charge as custodian, with her son, and will end her days in the "old home." The trustees will restore the cottage to its original condition, and in this Mrs. Baker's recollection of things long ago will eof great help. Amongst the many things the trustees have taken over is the first visitors' book, dating back to 1847. Henceforth the cottage will be governed by the same regulations as the Birthplace and New Place, and an admission fee of sixpence for each person will be charged.  A sensational trial has commenced before a Court-martial at Radom, in Russian Poland, against 356 persons, accused of being implicated in attempts to free young men from military service by fraudulent means. The documents comprise no less that 20,000 sheets bound in 287 volumes. The trial will last six weeks.  During the seven months ended July 31st there were)21,049 aliens arrived from the Continent in Englyh ports who were not stated to be en route to America; in the corresponding period of 1891 the number was 20,767. The aliens arriving in English ports ,sn route to America numbered in the same penool of 1892 75,346; and in the coosponding period of the previous year, 62,318. -7.1.-- --.The death is announced of Sir Daniel Wilson,President of Toronto University, at the age of 76. According to mail advices from Japan, a number of Japanese actresses are preparing to start on a tour in Europe to illustrate the native style of acting. President Carnot has commuted to penal servitude for life the death sentence in the case of the two members of the Neuilly band who murdered Pere 011ivier some weeks ago. In Rome, on Sunday, a procession of Catholic societies to place a wreath on the bust of Columbus was attacked by anti-clericals. In the fights many people were hurt, but only one seriougly. News from Tunis reports the occurrence of a fatal ferry-boat accident near the island of Garbs. Of the 19 passengers on board 10 were saved by fishermen. but the remainder were drowned.