Birthplace of the Bard of Avon

Birthplace of the Bard of Avon BY SHIRLEY PENROSE JONES There is a story in the Arabian Nights of a wonderful carpet and, so the story goes, whoever rested upon it could, by merely expressing the desire, be transported to where fancy directed. In this twentieth century age of matter-of-fact prosaicness one may have an experience equally delightful and romantic, with the added enjoyment of being carried back along the trail of time into the dim and charming past. The magical carpet may, in this instance, be substituted by a fast express train that, with desecrating haste and impatient cough, transports us ages back to the numerous old-world towns and villages of England, arousing in startled surprise these venerable spots from the lethargy which progress has failed to disturb. One of the most interesting of all these villages is Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of England's revered poet — Shakespeare, and it is there we shall turn our eyes for a passing glimps. Lying, as it does, in the heart of an interesting and romantic country of green fields, sweet meadows and quaint old legends, Stratford has a location alike charming and appropriate. Situated on the banks of the Avon, which is nothing more than a tranquil stream, it looks on every side upon the simple, yet lovely, scenery of rural England. We feel at once that no other place in the world could have been so suitable for the birthplace of the great poet, whose kindly philosophy has entranced the world, as this sober, retiring village. Among our first impressions of the place is one of quietude. The very wind seems to blow more softly that it may not disturb the spirit of repose. Have you ever entered a church just as the last strains of an anthem are dying away among the echoes while the congregation is listening hushed and silent? It so, you have an idea of the influence Statford-on-Avon had over us, one beautiful summer day not long since. With minds fully resolved to temporarily cast aside our material bodies, and permit our spirits to wander at will through

THE BIRTHPLACE OP THE BARD OF AVON 525 the halls of memory, now let us lift the curtain of past years and begin our tour of inspection. But we are doomed to disappointment. For no sooner are we thus resolved than our rose-colored picture of bygone days is shattered, and with a rush back comes the twentieth century upon us in the form of a shrieking motor car, whose tooting horn and grinding brake frighten antiquity away. We realize with a sigh that Stratford-on-Avon is not so antique as we imagined. So, like martyrs that we are, we shall join a party of tourists, composed largely of Americans, and visit the various places of interest.It may be remarked here that during the summer months the village is nearly owned by Americans,

so we may feel perfectly at home and quite prepared for an instructive day, during our pilgrimage.

ANNE HATHAWAY'S COTTAGE, STRATFORD-ON-AVON This cottage is situated at Shottery, about one mile west of Stratford. Here in this picturesque, half-timbered building, with a thatched roof, was born Anne Hathaway, who in 1582 was married to Shakespeare. They had three children. Anne survived her husband about seven years and was buried beside him in Holy Trinity Church.

About one mile to the west, in the little village of Shottery, is the cottage of Anne Hathaway, wife of the poet. It is a farm house of the Elizabethan period and its old fashioned thatched roof is in keeping with the general aspect of the place. We go inside and examine the different rooms, so carefully preserved by loving hands. In the kitchen is a big open fireplace where the Hathaway family were wont, on cold winter evenings, to sit listening to the

526 IMPROVEMENT ERA logs crackle as the flames roared up the chimney. This chimney is a huge ailair, tor the three of us may stand abreast, upright in and see the blue sky through the aperture above. Of course it,

we inspect the turniture, pottery, and other articles more or less intimately associated with the cottage, while the ladies try to deceive each other,and themselves, with their knowledge of antiquity, and the men endeavor to look interested as they murmur,

"mos; remarkable." From bhottery we return to Stratford, through the fields where Shakespeare kept tryst with his lady love, and visit the uirth-place of the poet, it is formed of two houses communicating with each other. In the one we first enter Shakespeare was born and spent his childhood, the other was used by his father as a storehouse for farm produce in which he traded. The rooms of the birth-house are almost barren of furniture, but in the two roonio of the other are various and sundry articles so antique and interesting that the hearts of collectors must yearn for their possession. Among the most interesting and valuable are original legal documents certifying the purchase by the poet of land and property in or near the town original quarto editions of the ;

Merchant of Venice, a. Midsummer Night's Dream, and King Lear, all published in Shakespeare's life time, and a gold ring engraven with the poet's initials, and known as "Shakespeare's Ring." in the upper room an original drawing, by Guilio Romano, whom Shakespeare mentions in The Winter's Tale Act V, scene 2, line 106 as, "that rare Italian Master," is among the chief objects of interest. There are so many more that we must omit mention of them, and we now ascend the steep, narrow stairway to the upper room, where the poet was born. The ceiling here is beginning to sag with the weight of years and supports are necessary to hold it in place. Before a register was provided, visitors signed their names on the walls, windows and ceiling and we read the names of many celebrated characters inscribed on these novel registers. If memory serves me right it is on one of the windows that we read the name of Sir Walter Scott. At the back of the house is a pretty garden in which are planted trees, plants and flowers mentioned in the poet's works. Not far from the birth-place are foundations of the house in which Shakespeare died, 1616. The house itself was pulled down at an early date and only the foundations remain. The garden

THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE BARD OF AVON 627 at the back of these remains is part of the poet's great garden, and on the central lawn is planted a mulberry tree a slip of the ;

famous tree is said to have been planted by Shakespeare, in 1609. All of these places, thus far mentioned, were purchased by the nation by public subscription, and are carefully preserved, as nearly as possible in their original state. There are many other places of interest in Stratford-uponAvon, such as Harvard House, home of the wife of John HarSHAKESPEARE'S BIRTHPLACE. STRATFORD-ON-AVON Among the most famous and most visited places in England. Here, April 23, 1564, was born the greatest poet and dramatist the world has ever seen. On the premises is now a museum of Shakespearean relics. Shakerpeare died at New Place, in the town, on his birthday, 1616.

vard, founder of Harvard university the grammar school, and ;

guild hall, where Shakespeare was educated and where he first saw one of his plays produced. Also the residence of Marie Corelli, the famous novelist, and the memorial theatre, a large Gothic building erected upon the river banks. But, possibly, the most charming and delightful of all is the old Trinity church, where lie the mortal remains of the bard. It is cruciform with a slight deflection said to represent the drooping of our Lord's head upon the cross. Inside sacred music is played on a sweet toned organ, and we viewed the graves of the poet and his wife, as they lie side by side, still and cold, with almost reverential awe. The sun filters through beautiful stainef glass windows and is so softened that it makes an atmosphere of

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shadowy solitude. Outside in the graveyard we wander among the mossgrown tombstones along the bank of the passive river. The hearts of all are touched by the influence of the spot. Serenely the Avon flows on its way, never heeding the petty trials or troubles of us humans, but fulfiling its destiny to soothe the aching hearts of men with an example of unruffled tranquility. As a fitting finale to the days entertainment, what can be more appropriate than witnessing a production of one of the great dramatist's plays in the theatre dedicated to his memory. A special London company performs during the summer months, so we may have the impressions of the day sealed upon us by enjoying the work of the man in whose honor we are assembled. Between the acts we wander beneath a dark summer sky through the grounds connected with the theatre, music, faintly heard from within the edifice, mingles with the gentle murmur of the river and the indistinct voices of other strollers, combining to make us realize the moving power of God. In conclusion we will say that the charm of Stratford-uponAvon lies not in the buildings associated with the poet's life, not in sticks and stones, although they lend assistance, but rather in the spirit of these scenes and places ; the knowledge that here was born and died one whose portrait is prominently hung in the galleries of distinction —the greatest dramatist and poet England has ever known. Httli,/ England.