63 



After leaving Milcote, attention should be given to the pretty hamlet on 

 the left (Luddington), on the bank above the river, where Shakespeare is thought 

 to have been married. Again crossing the Avon, we have, on the left, Shottery 

 (Anne Hathaway's home), and on the right, the weir bank, a tree-crowned slope, 

 the " Cross o' the hill," where Shakespeare's signet ring was found ; and behind, 

 the Church of the Holy Trinity, where the poet lies buried. The station at Strat 

 ford was soon reached, and as the programme foretold : 



" Being well arrived." 



H^iniers ?aie_ Act II., Sc. 3. 



the President, assisted by Mr. J. Tom Burgess, F.S.A., conducted the visitors 

 to the several points of interest. 



" A well-appointed leader fronts us here." 



^«<ar Nenry JV., Act IV., Sc. i. 



The house where Shakespeare was born, and the museum attached to it, was 

 the first object to be visited. 



On leaving the station, the party kept straight on to the open space called the 

 Rothermarket. and then, turning to the left, speedily reached flenley Street, in 

 which the birth-place is situated. It should be remarked that the birth-place is 

 restored exactly in accordance with an ancient print. All the old timbers have 

 been preserved as far as possible. The new ones, which are fitted into the old peg 

 holes, are coloured brown, the old ones black, to show the difference. By the 

 kind permission of the trustees, the birth-place and museum were thrown open to 

 the members of the Woolhope Club free of charge. The old picturesque half- 

 timbered house and its contents were inspected with great interest. His gold seal 

 ring, the letters written to him, the many portraits of him, old documents, early 

 editions of his plays, and other most interesting memorials of Shakespeare and the 

 town of Stratford, deserved a longer time than could be given to them. The 

 garden was \isited, 



" There's rosemarj' and rue ; these keep 

 Seeming and savour all the winter long." 



IVtu/ers Tale, Act IV., Sc. 3. 



and a young mulberry tree and other plants associated with the poet were there. 



Leaving the birth-place the party proceeded down Henley street. There are 

 some old houses worth note as this street debouches on the wide Bridge Street 

 and High Street. Passing down High Street, what is kno^vn as the Glover's 

 House, is now seen on the right hand, opposite the Corn Exchange. It is a gable- 

 fronted western building, and was buUt (according to the date) when Shakespeare 

 was young. 



New Place and the gardens were next visited, also thrown open to the Club 

 by the kindness of the trustees. Here stood the house in which the poet died. 

 It is said to have been razed to avoid taxation, and now its foundations — covered 

 with grating— alone remain to be seen. The house adjoining, and the site, was 

 purchased in 1S61 by public subscription, chiefly through the exertions of Mr. J. 

 O. Halliwell, and here a Shakespeare library and museum has been established, 

 where, besides books and prints, the poet's drinking cup, and many other relics 

 are to be seen. 



