| Citation |
PGCJ.769.033
30 Dec 1769:13, 21, 22 (312)
An account of the jubilee, in honour of Shakespeare, at
Stratford-upon-Avon, 1769.
On the 6th of September, about six o'clock in the morning,
the grand jubilee opened at Stratford by a triple discharge
of 17 pieces of cannon and twelve small mortars, planted on
the banks of the Avon. At eight o'clock, Mr. Garrick's
apartments, and Lord Spencer's, were serenaded by several
performers from Drury-Lane Theatre, who were disguised in
mean apparel, with their faces besmeared with dirt, singing
a morning address; they afterwards chaunted several ballads
through the streets; accompanied with guitars and German
flutes. Mr. Garrick, the Steward, went to the new town-hall
(the place appointed for the public breakfasting) a little
after eight, to see that everything was properly prepared
for so brilliant a company. As soon as the mayor and
corporation heard of Mr. Garrick's being at the town-hall,
they immediately waited on him, and in a polite speech,
delivered by the town-clerk, presented him with a medallion
of Shakespeare, carved on a piece of the famous mulberry
tree planted by the immortal poet's own hand, and richly set
in gold. Mr. Garrick made a suitable reply to this elegant
mark of attention, and placed the present about his neck.
Soon after this circumstance the breakfasting began, during
which the drums and fifes of the Warwickshire militia, in
their new uniforms, entertained the company with martial
music. About eleven, the company went to church, where Dr.
Arne's oratorio of Judith was performed; after which they
went to the grand booth to dinner, which was provided, and
served in the utmost order to more than one thousand
persons. When dinner was over, the company were
entertained, after a full bumper to the steward's health,
for his great care and attention to the pleasure of all who
honoured the immortal memory of Shakespeare, with catches,
glees, &c. by the band; and nothing but joy and jollity
appeared, for more than two hours. The evening concluded
with a ball, and the same mirth appeared in every
countenance.
On Thursday morning, the 7th, a public breakfast was
given, in the same manner as the day before, after which the
company repaired to the amphitheatre from the town-hall,
where the dedication-ode was performed, under the direction
of Dr. Arne. The recitative parts were spoken by Mr.
Garrick, and perhaps, in all the characters he ever played,
he never shewed more powers, more judgment, or ever made a
stronger impression on the minds of his auditors.--On the
conclusion of the ode, Mr. King got up in the character of a
macaroni, wholly unexpected by the company, and publicly
attacked Shakespeare, whom he censured as a very ill-bred
fellow, for making people laugh and cry as he thought
proper. This produced much mirth, and, with Mr. King's
admirable acting, was a considerable addition to the
entertainment. It was intended to make a procession to the
amphitheatre of all the characters in Shakespeare's pieces,
but the day proving wet, it was post-poned till the next
day, as was also a grand firework, prepared by Mr. Angelo.
During this performance, the benches in various parts of
the amphitheatre, from the prodigious pressure of the
company, gave way; and had it not been for a peculiar
interposition of providence, Lord Carlisle, who was much
hurt by the fall of a door, must have inevitably been
destroyed.
At the night the masquerade commenced, though not till
twelve o'clock; several of the characters were well dressed,
and sustained their parts with great propriety. About five
everybody retired; and the next morning the weather
continued remarkably wet, and that wetness prevented the
pageantry, or representation of all Shakespeare's
characters; the principal part of the company, who had
carriages of their own, went out of town: Nevertheless,
there was a tolerable assembly at Shakespeare's hall in the
evening.--Mrs. Garrick danced a minuet beyond description
gracefully, and joined in the country dances, which ended at
four, and put an end to the jubilee.
There was a horse race on the last day, which afforded
much diversion to the lovers of the turf, though the horses
were almost knee deep in water. The cup was won by Mr.
Pratt, the rider, and we are told he is determined never to
part with it; though he modestly confesses he has no
extraordinary taste for dramatic performances.
Extract of a letter from James Boswell, Esq; on
Shakespeare's Jubilee, at Stratford-upon-Avon.
. . . [letter about prices at Stratford]
An account of the armed Corsican chief, at the masquerade,
at Shakespeare's Jubilee.
. . . [costume description and conversation] Mr. Boswell
danced both a minuet and country dance with a very pretty
Irish lady, Mrs. Sheldon, wife to Capt. Sheldon, of the 38th
regiment of foot, (Lord Blany's) she was dressed in a
genteel domino; and before she danced, threw off her mask.
Mr. Boswell . . . wrote the following verses, which it is
thought are well suited to the occasion, while they at the
same time preserve the true Corsican character.
From the rude banks of Golo's rapid flood,
Alas! too deeply ting'd with patriot blood;
O'er which, dejected, injur'd freedom bends,
And sighs indignant o'er all Europe sends:
. . . [42 lines follow, including how Shakespeare might have
handled the political situation, and how Garrick might have
acted it.]
Shakespeare's epitaph, written by himself.
Good friends, for Jesus' sake, forbear
To dig the dust inclosed here.
Blest be the man that spares these stones,
But curst be he that moves my bones.
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