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teen per cent. rose in my throat, but I made an | of the whole company of shareholders are set forth, effort and swallowed it. This was a pretty addi- Shakspeare's being among them. "This," says tion to the list of advantages accruing to me from my introduction to these very "nice people." Loaned out of three hundred pounds by the son, and robbed of twenty; introduced to a hell, where I sunk six hundred-proctored of nearly as much, and flattered out of more than I can ever bring myself to name. To crown all, I entirely threw away a year, got fooled by a flirt, and crippled for life. Have I given you sufficient reasons for shuddering at the very thought or mention of "Nice People?"

J. H.

From the London Athenæum.

New Facts regarding the Life of Shakspeare
In a Letter to Thomas Amyot, Esq., from J.
Payne Collier. London: Rodd.

Mr. Collier, "seems sufficiently to contradict the idle story of his having commenced his career by holding horses at the play-house door; for, if true, he could hardly have made such way in his profession as to establish himself a sharer within two or three years after his first appearance in the metropolis. In this document, that is, in 1589, says Mr. Collier, "Shakspeare's name is placed twelfth in the list of the sixteen members of the company. In 1596, he had so far advanced, that it was inserted fifth, when only eight of the association were named; in 1603, he was second in the new patent granted by King James on his accession. How much weight is due to these locations, and what inferences we may fairly draw tainly show that Shakspeare, from the first, was from them, it is not easy to decide, but they cergradually making his way to greater prominence of station."

It further appears, from records here produced, that there was continued enmity between the corporation of London and the actors at the Blackfriars, but the latter claimed to be beyond the jurisdiction of the former, in consequence of the theatre having been built on a site formerly occupied by a religious fraternity. In 1605, a formal complaint against them was made by the Lord Mayor to the Privy Council, as appears from the following document :—

"LENARD HALIDAY Maior 1605. "Whereas Kempe, Armyn and others, Plaiers at the Blacke Fryers, have again not forborne to bring vpon their stage one or more of the worshipfull Aldermen of the City of London, to their great scandall and to the lessening of their authority, the Lords of the right said Players before them and to enquire into the same, honourable the Privy Counsell are besought to call the that order may be taken to remedy the abuse, either by putting down or removing the said Theatre."

This is a very interesting little volume. Το Mr. Collier we are already indebted for a valuable "History of English Dramatic Poetry," and for other like works, and he still, it appears, toils on in his labour of love, for which he is deserving the best thanks of the public. On this occasion he has been fortunate almost beyond hope, and certainly beyond all reasonable expectation. So little is really known of Shakspeare, that the most trifling authentic fact becomes important, and yet so many learned and laborious men have devoted their whole lives to hunting for information, that further search seemed all but hopeless in its results. It was, however, the good fortune of Mr. Collier to have free access to the voluminous MSS. at Bridgewater House, and the permission of Lord Francis Egerton to make use of any literary or historical information he might discover. Among the most interesting of these documents are many of the official and other papers of Lord Ellesmere, Keeper of the Great Seal to Queen Elizabeth, and Lord Chancellor to James I.: some of these had, The players, however, were more than a match it appeared, been arranged and classed by the Rev. for the corporation, and, accordingly, in 1608, we H. J. Todd, but large bundles, ranging in point of find the latter treating with, and attempting to date between 1581 and 1616, still remained un-buy them out. The curious document relating examined, and many had, it is believed, never to this treaty, throws considerable light on the been opened from the time when, perhaps, the chancellor's own hand tied them together. Shakspeare, according to the generally-received opinion, came to London about 1586 or 1587, but he did not begin to write for the stage, or even to remodel old plays, till about 1590 or 1591. The earliest date at which his name has hitherto been mentioned in connection with the Blackfriars Theatre, is 1598, when it appears to a petition to the Privy Council, first printed in the "History of Dramatic Poetry." But," says Mr. Collier, "The MSS. at Bridgewater House now enable me to furnish, not only the name of Shakspeare, but the names of the whole company of sharers seven years earlier." It appears, that such was the license taken at that time by several of the companies of players, that persons were officially appointed to examine into and remedy the abuse. In consequence, a certificate, as it were, of good character, was presented to the council by the queen's players, and in this certificate the names

question of the amount of Shakspeare's property, about five years before he retired to Stratford. We are, indeed, of opinion, that Mr. Collier trusts too confidently to the player's estimate-but no matter.

66

Collier, "is a minute and curious account, showing the Among the papers of Lord Ellesmere," says Mr. precise interest of all the principal persons connected with the company in 1608, and, among the rest, of Shakspeare himself. It is evident that it was drawn up in order to ascertain what sum it would be necessary for the corporation to pay to the players for removal; and it must have been laid before the lord chancellor, with other documents connected with the enquiry. Hence we learn that Shakspeare's property in the Blackfriars Theatre, including the wardrobe and properties, which were would be equal to between 6000l. and 70001. of our preexclusively his, was estimated at more than 14001., which sent money. Burbage was even richer, as the owner of what is called the fee' of the play-house, and perhaps he, or his father, had bought the ground on which it stood as well as the building. However, it will be better

first to insert a literal copy of the account, and afterwards to offer some remarks upon it. The paper is entitled

FOR AVOIDING OF THE PLAYHOUSE IN THE PRECINCT OF THE

BLACK FRIERS.

Imp. Richard Burbidge oweth the Fee,
and is alsoe a sharer therein. His
interest he rateth at the grosse
summe of 1000 li for the Fee, and
for his foure shares the summe of
333 li 6s. 8d.
Item. Laz Fletcher oweth three shares
which he rateth at 700 li, that is at
7 yeares purchase for each share
or 33 li. 6s. 8d. one yeare with an
other
Item. W. Shakspeare asketh for the
Wardrobe and properties of the
same play house 500 li and for his
4 shares, the same as his fellowes
Burbidge and Fletcher viz 933 li.
6s. 8d.

Item. Heminges and Condell eche 2

shares

Item. Joseph Taylor 1 share and an halfe

· 1933 li. 6s. 8d.

. 700 li.

1433 li. 6s. 8d.

933 li. 6s. 8d.

of our present money. We are to recollect that in 1608 he had produced most of his greatest works, the plausible conjecture being that he wrote only five or six plays between that year and his final retirement from London. In what way, and for what amount, he previously disposed of his interest in the Blackfriars and Globe theatres, it is useless to attempt to speculate."

It is already known that, in 1602, Shakspeare bought 107 acres of land, which he attached to his house of New Place-that in 1605 he gave 4401. for the lease of a moiety of the great and small tithes of Stratford, and Mr. Collier now informs us, that it appears from a document, a copy of which is given in the work before us, preserved among the Fines in the Chapter House, Westminster, that, in 1603, he bought a messuage, with barn, granary, garden and orchard, at Stratford, for 601!

But the most interesting document discovered is the following letter, addressed, Mr. Collier supposes, to Lord Ellesmere, in order to induce him to exert himself on behalf of the players, when assailed by the corporation of London. Here, however, we cannot but pause. This letter is professedly a copy-why copied? is it a contemporary, or a modern copy? These and other questions we should feel bound to ask, if we were 466 li. 13s. 4d. examining the question as one of evidence; but Mr. Collier's name is our trust and security.

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350 li.

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350 li.

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6166. 13. 4.

Suma totalis Moreover, the hired men of the Companie demaund some recompense for their great losse, and the Widowes and Orphanes of Playeres, who are paide by the Sharers at dieuers rates and proportions, so as in the whole it will coste the Lo. Mayor and the Citizens at the least

7000 li.'

"The initials, H. S.," says Mr. Collier, "I take to be those of Henry Southampton, who was the noble patron of Shakspeare, and who, in this very letter, calls the poet his 'especial friend.'" It has no direction, and the copy was apparently made on half a sheet of paper; but there can be little doubt that the original was placed in the hands of Lord Ellesmere by Burbage, or by Shakspeare, when they waited upon the lord chancellor in company :

66

"This, you will own at once, is a very singular, as well as a very valuable document, considering how scanty has hitherto been all our information regarding the pecuniary circumstances of our great poet. Till now all has depended upon conjecture, both as to the value of My verie honored Lord. The manie good offices I theatrical property generally in the time of Shakspeare, have received at your Lordships hands, which ought to and as to the particular sum he may be supposed to have make me backward in asking further favours, onely im. realised as an author of plays and as an actor of them. bouldens me to require more in the same kinde. Your We are to presume that the materials for this Lordship will be warned howe hereafter you graunt anie statement were derived from the actors, and that they sute, seeing it draweth on more and greater demaunds. made out their loss as large as it could well be shown to This which now presseth is to request your Lordship, in be, with a view to gaining full compensation; but if each all you can, to be good to the poore players of the Black share produced on an average, or (to use the terms of the Fryers, who call them selues by authoritie the Seruaunts document,) one year with another,' 331. 68. 8d., the of his Majestie, and aske for the protection of their most twenty shares would net an annual sum of 6661. 13s. 5d., graceous Maister and Sovereigne in this the tyme of or somewhat less than 3,4001. of our present money. their troble. They are threatened by the Lord Maior and Shakspeare's annual income from the receipts at the Aldermen of London, never friendly to their calling, with Blackfriars Theatre, without the amount paid hin for the destruction of their meanes of livelihood, by the pullthe use of the wardrobe and properties, would therefore ing downe of theire plaiehouse, which is a private Theabe 1331. 68. 8d. It is possible, however, that there might tre, and hath neuer giuen ocasion of anger by anie disbe a deduction for his proportion of the rent to Burbage, orders. These bearers are two of the chiefe of the comand of the salaries to the hired men,' who were always panie; one of them by name Richard Burbidge, who paid by the sharers. To this income would be to be humblie sueth for your Lordships kinde helpe, for that added the sums he received for either new or altered he is a man famous as our English Roscius, one who plays. At about this date it appears that from 121. to 251. fitteth the action to the word and the word to the action were usually given for new dramatic productions. Much most admirably. By the exercise of his qualitye induswould of course depend upon the popularity of the author. try and good behaviour, he hath be come possessed of the "We have a right to conclude that the Globe was at Blacke Fryers playhouse, which hath bene imployed for least as profitable as the Blackfriars: it was a public playes sithence it was builded by his Father now nere 50 theatre of larger dimensions, and the performances took yeres agone. The other is a man no whitt lesse deserv. place at a season when, probably, playhouses were more ing favor, and my especiall friende, till of late an actor frequented: if not, why should they have been built so of good account in the cumpanie, now a sharer in the as to contain a more numerous audience? At the lowest same, and writer of some of our best English playes, computation, therefore, I should be inclined to put Shak-which, as your Lordship knoweth were most singularly speare's yearly income at 300l., or not far short of 1,500l. liked of Queene Elizabeth, when the cumpanic was called

vpon to performe before her Matie at Court at Christmas | worke will rather be your Honors then myne. God and Shrovetide. His most gracious Matie King James maketh a poet, but his creation would be in vaine if alsoe, since his coming to the crowne, hath extended his patrons did not make him to live. Your Honor hath ever royall favour to the companie in divers waies and at sun-showne your self the friend of desert, and pity it were drie tymes. This other hath to name William Shak- if this shold be the first exception to the rule. It shall speare, and they are both of one countie, and indeede al-not be, while my pore witt and strength doe remaine to most of one towne: both are right famous in their quali-me, though the verses which I now send be indeede no tyes though it longeth not to your Lo. gravitie and wise-proofe of myne abilitie. I onely intreat your Honor to dome to resort unto the places where they are wont to accept the same, the rather as an earnest of my good delight the publique care. Their trust and sute nawe is will then as an example of my good deede. In all things not to bee molested in their waye of life whereby they I am your Honors maintaine themselves and their wives and families (being both married of good reputation) as well as the widowes and orphanes of some of their dead fellows. "Your Lo. most bounden at com.

"H. S.

"Moste bounden in dutie and observance,
"SAMUEL DANYEL."

There can be no doubt, as Mr. Collier observes, that Michael Drayton, the poet, is the one party referred to, and Shakspeare the other. Here,

Collier, for his very interesting little volume, we must conclude; but we beg leave, at parting, to direct the attention of our readers to the circular lately issued by the Shakspeare Club, and to be found in another part of this day's Athenæum.

แ Copia vera." There is a great deal of curious matter inci-after once more offering our best thanks to Mr. dentally touched on by Mr. Collier, but we must confine ourselves to the immediate subject of his interesting paper. Even the fact of Shakspeare being associated in the patent for educating the children of the Queen's Revels-the curious and minute description of the habit of Falstaff, as then played, we must pass, to come to the following letter, addressed by Samuel Daniel, the poet, to Lord Ellesmere, who, it is reasonable to suppose, had procured for him the appointment of Master of the Queen's Revels. In this letter he refers expressly to Shakspeare, though not by name. As Daniel was appointed to this office on the 30th of January, 1603, Mr. Collier concludes that the following letter was written shortly

after :

"To the right honourable Sr. Thomas Egerton, knight, Lord Keeper of the Great Seale of England.

"I will not endeavour, Right honourable, to thanke you in wordes for this new great and unlookt for favor shown vnto me, whereby I am bound to you for ever, and hope one day with true harte and simple skill to prove that I ame not vnmindfull. Most earnestly doe I wish I could praise as your Honor has knowne to deserue, for then should I, like my maister Spenser, whose memorie your Honor cherisheth, leave behinde me some worthie worke, to be treasured by posterity. What my pore Muse could performe in haste is here set downe, and though it be farre below what other poets and better pens have written, it cometh from a gratefull harte and therefore may be accepted. I shall now be able to live free from those cares and troubles that hetherto have bene my continuall and wearisome companions. But a little time is past since I was called vpon to thanke your Honor for my brothers advancement, and now I thanke you for myne owne; which double kindnes will alwaics receive double gratefulnes at both our handes. I cannot but knowe that I am lesse deserving then some who sued by other of the nobility vnto her Matie for this roome: if M. Draiton, my good friend, had bene chosen, I should not have murmured, for sure I ame he wold have filled it most excellentlie: but it seemeth to myne humble judgement that one who is the authour of playes now daylie presented on the public stages of London, and the possessor of no small gaines, and moreover him selfe an Actor in the Kings Companie of Comedians, could not with reason pretend to be Mr. of the Queenes Matice Re vells, for as much as he wold sometimes be asked to ap prove and allow of his owne writings. Therefore, he, and more of like quality, cannot justlie be disappointed because through your Honours gracious interposition the chance was haply myne. I owe this and all else to your honour, and if ever I have time and abilitie to finish anie noble vndertaking, as God graunt one daye I shall, the

stations mentioned in

vast

From the New Monthly Magazine. BURFORD'S PANORAMA OF JERUSALEM. This is another of Mr. Burford's magnificent panoramas; a rarer treat, both to the old and young, is not supplied by the metropolis. The work is painted from drawings made about a year ago by Mr. Catherwood, the architect: they were taken, according to the printed description, "from the terrace of the house of the aga, or governor, formerly the palace of Pontius Pilate; and the view, both from the situation and height of the house, is most comprehensive and interesting, embracing nearly the whole of the important assemblage of monasteries, mosques, domes, scripture, and a minarets, &c., which, though they generally resemble each other, are so dissimilar to any thing European, that they excite curiosity, and, being mostly of white stone, sparkle, under the rays of a glorious eastern sun, with inconceivable splendour. Immediately in front of the spectator, towards the south, stands boldly prominent with most imposing effect, the beautiful mosque of the Temple of Solomon, resembling, from its curious style, and variety of gay colours, an immense piece of mosaic work, backed by the rugged summits of stony and unfruitful hills, a portion of the Dead Sea appearing in the distance, inclosed by lofty and majestic mountains. Towards the west, immediately beneath, commences the Via Dolorosa, which may be traced in its ascent through the thickest part of the city, towards the Temple of the Holy Sepulchre and Calvary, whose vast dome rises above the surrounding buildings: on this side are also seen the Castle and Tomb of David, and the Armenian Convent on God's Holy Hill of Zion.' To the north, beyond a considerable portion of the city, formerly the 'Daughter of Zion,' is seen the hill Scopo, where Titus fixed his head-quarters, and other sterile hills, presenting only a few olivetrees; and, towards the east, the most interesting portion is a long line of the city walls, beneath which lies the valley of Jehoshaphat; the Mount

birth

of Olives, rising majestically in front, presenting | That faultless loveliness which speaks a gentle seraph's the Mount of Ascension, and village of Olivet, the Mount of Offence, garden of Gethsemane, A star, if ever star there were, upon the dewy earth! and other holy stations, relieved by patches of And now the mother looks for her, whene'er the silent cultivation and a few olive-trees, closes the view." night

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Is gemm'd with countless stars serene, intensely, purely bright;

But to the eye of Faith alone, that vision fair is givenThat mother may not see her child, until they meet in

heaven!

W. G. T.

From the London Athenæum.

SHAKSPEARE'S MONUMENT AT STRatford. We take advantage of the interest which must be excited by the publication of Mr. Collier's interesting volume, to direct the attention of our readers to the following extracts from a circular lately issued by the Shakspeare club, and referred to a few weeks since in this paper.

"The members of the Shakspearean club of Stratfordupon-Avon, have long beheld with regret the disfigurement of the bust and monument of Shakspeare, and the neglected condition of the interior of the chancel which contains both that monument and his grave.

"The monument erected to Shakspeare by his family a few years after his death, representing the poet with a cushion before him, a pen in his right hand, and his left leaning on a scroll, was originally coloured to resemble life; but was thickly covered over with white paint in the year 1793, at the instigation of Mr. Malone. The pen was long since detached by some visiter, and a recent attempt was made to abstract one of the fingers of the bust, which was actually broken off, but recovered and replaced. The removal of the coating of white paint, and the renewal of the original colours of the monument, are supposed to be practicable without the chance of injury to the original work.

"Near the grave of Shakspeare, lie interred the bodies of Anne his wife; of Susannah his eldest daughter, and her husband, Dr. John Hall; of Thomas Nashe, Esq., the husband of Elizabeth, the daughter of Dr. John Hall and Susannah his wife; (Elizabeth having afterwards mar

I long to be among the stars-to feel their balmy light-ried Sir J. Barnard, of Abington, near Northampton, and Oh! let me go and pray, mamma; good night, a long good night!"

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being there buried.) The inscriptions on some of the grave-stones of these members of the poet's family, the stones being on the floor of the chancel, are partly obliterated; and an epitaph, commemorating the excellences of Shakspeare's favourite daughter, was either worn out or purposely effaced in 1707, and another inscription engraved on the same stone, for a person unconnected with the family of Shakspeare.

"The respect due to the memory of Shakspeare, the loss of almost every personal relic of him, the demolition of his house, the destruction of his traditionary mulberry tree, and the alteration and removal of the greater part of his father's residence, concur to make the members of the Shakspearean club most anxious to preserve every thing connected with his mortal remains, from further disrespect."

In furtherance of these views, it is proposed to raise a fund by voluntary donations, not exceeding one pound each, to be expended by a committee, already named by the members of the club, in taking effectual measures to preserve the monument of Shakspeare from all future injury; and, if practicable, to restore its original colours, and those on the full length figure of John Combe, the

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