8
THE HESPERIAN
relics of Shakespeare's timo, among thom is
an old desk in which it is said ho sat whon
ho wont to the grammar school on. High
street, also doods relating to his several pos
sessions, a gold ring in which is inscribod
the initials W. S. found in tho Stratford
church yard and supposed to have onco been
the property of tho poet. In a small apart
ment near tho birth room stands a portrait of
Shakespeare, encased in a heavy stool frame
as a means of protection from fire. Tradi
tion has it that this portrait was first owned
by tho Clopton family and afterwards fell
into tho hands of a William Hunt, an old
resident of Stratford. It remained for a
timo in tho dust and dirt of timo and was re
painted into a different subject. 'Tis said
tho little Hunt boys used it for a target, but
being inexperienced shots they seldom hit it.
Some timo after it was rescued from obscur
ity by a skilled artist who bolioving it to a
painting of some note, removed tho thick
beard and moustache, and the face of Shake
speare appeared on tho canvas. It closely
resembles tho buBt of Shakespeare in tho
Stratford church and is more than likely a
copy of that work.
On my way to Anno Hathaway's cottage,
a distance of about a mile, I was accosted by
a bright little boy of 10 years whose face
was so covered with freckles that his features
became visible only under tho closest scru
tiny. Ho wished to show me the way across
"Shottery Lane," the path Shakespeare was
wont to take during his courtship of tho fair
Anne. My little guide entertained mo as wo
passed through the streets of tho village, and
soon wo were amidst tho rum scenery of
which tho English may justly feel proud.
Shottery Lane is a winding narrow path
leading through gardens, fields and meadows,
where poppies bloom in confusion and wild
flowers grow along tho margin of tho tiny
brooks whiclufind their way amidst tho green
landscape. 'Tis well not to hurry oneself
along here, for there is much to interest the
traveler; the vision of Shakespeare is ever
before you and at every turn you see whore
ho might have stoppod to pick a flower o,
perhaps to rost his oyos upon tho boautios
before him, and when you roach tho stilo in
tho meadow under tho gonorous shade of tho
chostnut trees, it is not difficult to imagino
that horo ho and his faithful Anno delayed
in their ramblo and watched in silonco tho
clear meadow stroam which flowed by at
their feot. Noaring tho hamlet of Shottery
tho pilgrim onters a curious little village of
old and quaint houses with thatched roofs
partly hidden from view by high stono wallB
over which peop wild flowors and luxuriant
vines and ivy. Tho streets aro narrow and '
windings and every turn presents a scono of
peace and contentment. Tho Anno Hath
away cottago is buried in a bed of straggling
wild flowers, poppies and honeysuckles and
the old fence with its swinging gate is nearly
lost to view, hidden beneath crawling vines
and rhododendrons. Tho heavy thatched
roof which has stood tho winds and rains of
many years seems to glisten in tho rays of
the sun and present an air of welcome. I
imagine this cottago has not changed much
in its appearance sinco tho timo whon tho
poet used to swing aside tho old gate and
stopping to gather a handful of roses along
tho path was welcomed by his first love under
the vino covered torrace.
Inside the sun played through tho window
and lighted up tho wide fire placo, tho stone
floor shone, tho walls of plaster glistened,
the flowers from the gardens without sent in
their perfume. Indeed it was a scene for
peaceful reverie. Near tho firo-placo stands
an old worn wooden settle on which wo are
pleased to think Shakespeare sat, with Anno
at his side, on u winter's evening, before tho
large log fire. At tho opposite side of tho
room aro many of the old pieces of china
waro used by tho Hathaway family, and up
stairs in a low coiling room is shown the
bed occupied by Anno Hathaway and Bomo
of the old bed linen is encased under gJass
to preserve it from the ravages of time.
Hero under tho thatched roof within the
small garret onco tho room of Shakespeare's
niliiniMWiWjwwwt
