"This monument was erected in 1741, by the direction of the Earl of Burlington, Dr. Mead, Mr. Pope, and Mr. Martin. Mr. Fleetwood and Mr. Rich gave each of them a benefit towards it, from one of Shakspere's own plays. It was executed by Scheemaker, after a design of Kentt." * * At Drury-Lane was acted Julius Cæsar, 28th April 1738, when a Prologue, written by Benjamin Martyn, Esq, was spoken by Mr. Quin; and an Epilogue by James Noel, Esq. spoken by Mrs. Porter. Both these are printed in the General Dictionary. At Covent-Garden was acted Hamlet, 10th April 1739, when a Prologue, written by Mr. Theobald, and printed in the London Magazine of that year, was spoken by Mr. Ryan. In the Newspaper of the day it was observed, that this last representation was very far from being numerously attended. REED. +"On the monument is inscribed-Amor publicus posuit. Dr. Mead objected to the word amor, as not occurring in old classical inscriptions; but Mr. Pope, and the other gentlemen concerned, insisting that it should stand, Dr. Mead yielded the point, saying, Omnia vincit amor, et nos cedamus amori. This anecdote was communicated by Mr. Lort, late Greek professor of Cambridge, who had it from Dr. Mead himself." The following INSTRUMENT is copied from the Original in the Herald's Office: It is marked G. 13. p. 349. There is also a MANUSCRIPT in the Herald's Office*, marked W. 2. p. 276; where Notice is taken of this Coat; and that the Person, to whom it was granted, had borne Magistracy at Stratford upon Avon.] To all and singuler noble and gentlemen of all estats and degrees, bearing arms, to whom these presents shall come, Willam Dethick, Garter Principall King of Arms of England, and Willam Camden, alias Clarencieulx King of Arms for the south, east, and west parts of this realme, sendethe greeting Know ye, that in all nations and kingdoms the record and It appears by other ancient MSS. in the Herald's Oflice, that John Shakspere was a Justice of the Peace, had been Bailiff and chief officer of the town of Stratford upon Avon, and possessed "lands and tenements of good wealth and substance, equal to 500l." The family of Ardern, into which he had married, was one of the most ancient and respectable in the county of Warwick. F. T. remembraunce |