130 
After ten years absence, Shakespeare returned to his native 
town, and retired from the actor’s profession. In 1611 he sold 
his shares in the ‘‘ Globe”’ and Blackfriars Theatres, and in 1613 
he purchased a house and shop near to Blackfriars Theatre. 
There are many references in Shakespeare’s plays to the sports 
and pastimes of London, but the places in which some of the 
scenes were laid have long since passed away and cannot be 
identified. Baynard’s Castle, the scene of the meeting of 
Gloster and Buckingham, in ‘ Richard III.,” stood on the banks 
of the Thames, where we now have Blackfriars Bridge. It was 
destroyed in the great fire. 
The historic places of London figure largely in Shakespeare’s 
plays, such as the Tower, Westminster Abbey, Westminster Hall, 
the Parliament House, &e. The famous London Stone, still to 
be seen in the wall in Cannon Street, is alluded to in ‘* Henry V.” 
Part II. 
Great as was the genius of Shakespeare, may it not be assumed 
that had he not left his native town and taken that journey to 
London, much of it would of necessity have been undeveloped ? 
The knowledge of humanity can only be learnt by contact with 
the world, and where in those days could this be obtained, but by 
living near the mighty throbbing heart of the great centre of the 
world—the City of London ? 

