Imagens das páginas
PDF
ePub

To the works of genius and to their imperishable thoughts, we must look as to the only unfading memorials of them.

The present Bowling Green of the Shakespeare Hotel occupied part of the site of the garden and grounds of the ruined New Place. Its centre is occupied by a fine Mulberry Tree, rich in verdure during the summer, and it is confidently reported that this identical mulberry was produced from a scion of the venerated tree planted by Shakespeare himself, and so lauded by Garrick at the first Jubilee,

-

"Hail to thee

Blest Mulberry,

Matchless was he that planted thee,

And thou like him immortal be."

The bowling green is accessible to every one, and deserves a visit as on the site of New Place, and there are besides several architectural relics of pinnacles, &c. from the church strewed around, inviting thought and observation.

THE TOWN HALL.

THIS stone structure, which meets the eye conspicu→ ously on the same side the High Street as the site of New Place, but higher up the town, is rather connected with Garrick than Shakespeare, but has some pictures within it that deserve notice. On its north side, within a niche, is placed the statue of Shakespeare, which Garrick presented to the Corporation. The poet is represented in the same attitude as on his monument in Westminster Abbey, resting on some volumes placed on a pedestal, where appear the busts of Henry V., Richard III., and Queen Elizabeth. He points to a scroll on which are the following lines taken from the "Midsummer Night's Dream."

"The Poet's eye, in a fine frenzy rolling,

Doth glance from heaven to earth, from earth to heaven,

And, as imagination bodies forth

The forms of things unknown, the poet's pen

Turns them to shapes, and gives to airy nothing

A local habitation and a name."

On the

upper

border of the plinth are these words

"Take him for all in all

We shall not look upon his like again."

E

On the plinth is the following inscription"THE CORPORATION AND INHABITANTS OF STRATFORD, ASSISTED BY THE MUNIFICENT CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE NOBILITY AND GENTLEMEN OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD, REBUILT THIS EDIFICE IN 1768. THE STATUE OF SHAKESPEARE WAS GIVEN BY DAVID GARRICK, ESQ."

The large room up stairs is sixty feet long, and thirty feet wide, and well fitted for festal occasions. It was in this apartment that the British Roscius presided at a public breakfast at the Jubilee which was got up in the last century, almost entirely by his exertions. At the south end of the room is a whole-length picture of Garrick, in a thoughtful attitude, but in the attire of the day, one arm embracing a bust of Shakespeare. This is well painted by Gainsborough, and the countenance is very good. Immediately opposite is a wholelength painting of Shakespeare in a fancy dress, as if under the influence of inspiration in his study, but the effect is unpleasing, though elaborated. It was painted by Wilson, at the expense of the Corporation, in 1769, the year of the great Jubilee.

There is also a whole-length portrait of the Duke of Dorset, who was Lord of the Manor and High Steward of the Borough in 1769. But this is a mere copy of very mediocre character. On the same side of the room is a full-length painting of Queen Anne, which formerly belonged to the College, and was purchased and placed here at the sale which took place a short time before that building was taken down.

[graphic][subsumed][merged small]
« AnteriorContinuar »