Copy of a notice published on Sunday, November 20, 1748, in Stratford Parish Church by the clerk, me ibid concionant. MSS. Greene:—
“I am desired to give notice that on Friday, 25th Nov. next, there will be a meeting at the Market Hall in Stratford of those persons who contributed for the repairing of Shakspeare’s monument, in order to resolve upon a proper method of repairing and beautifying the monument aforesaid.”
It seems that few or none attended, and that nothing was then done. There was, however, a form drawn up which was meant to be signed by those present:
We whose names are hereunder written or annexed, contributors to the sum raised at the Town Hall of Stratford-upon-Avon, for repairing and beautifying the original monument of Shakspeare the poet, agree that the direction and execution of that work shall be committed to Mr. John Hall, Limner; and (provided he takes care, according to his ability, that the monument shall become as like as possible to what it was, when first erected) that then the money already raised for the purpose aforesaid shall be forthwith paid him upon finishing the work. We will also use our endeavours that such further money shall be collected and given him as, with the former collections, may make up the whole sum of sixteen pounds.
This was not then and there signed, but apparently was brought forward again at a meeting held at the Falcon Inn, at which were “present Sir Hugh Clopton, Rev. Mr. Kenwrick, Rev. Mr. Preston, ye Master of the Free School (Greene), Mr. Alderman Haynes, Mr. Joseph Broom, Mr. John Hall. A form proposed by Mr. Greene to the gentlemen at the Falcon, but rejected by Mr. Kenwrick (the vicar), who thought it did not sufficiently limit what was to be done by Mr. Hall, as a form which he himself had drawn up. November 30, 1748.” The differences were trifling. “Agreed: That Mr. John Hall, Limner, shall repair and beautify, or have the direction of repairing and beautifying, the original monument of Shakespeare the poet, etc.”
Mr. Joseph Greene, who seems to have had the work of restoration very much at heart, had before the meetings at the Falcon written a letter to Mr. John Ward, who was then at Hereford:
I believe you are by this time no stranger to the disputes arisen on this side the country concerning the disposal of the money collected at your representation of ‘Othello’ and generously given by you for the repairing of Shakespeare’s original monument. That it should lye as useless in our churchwardens’ hands, as cash in the trunk of a miser, is making it not current, but dormant coin, an impropriety which many of us can by no means approve of: wherefore to set aside all idle surmises which any may chance to entertain of knavishly mismanaging, or foolishly not managing, the devoted sum, some gentlemen in our neighbourhood have requested by me that you would speedily by letter, or some way which you think most proper, signify to the parties concerned what your intentions are, or what directions you would choose to give concerning the money, that it may once more make its public appearance in open daylight, and that a blacksmith’s sable apron may no longer be used as a napkin wherein to hide your talents.
Be pleased, Sir, to inform us whether you would have the affair postponed untill next summer, when (as we are assured) you intend to revisit us, or whether you would chuse to have the business forthwith proceeded upon, and some ingenious artificer or other to be employed directly for the purpose. If the case, as stated in this latter respect, is agreeable to you, whether, if any particular ingenious person should be pitched upon and approved by the majority of, or most considerable among, those who contributed that night, whether in such case you would chuse to acquiesce. Your setting us clear in these matters is much desired by many persons, well-wishers to the memory of Shakespeare and to the person of Mr. Ward, his and our ingenious benefactor. Particularly be pleased to believe these the wishes of, Sir, your very humble servant, Joseph Green, Stratford-upon-Avon. Nov. 23, 1748.
Mr. Ward replied to this:
Sir,—I received the favor of yours, and am sensible of the honor you and the gentlemen do me in appealing to my judgment with regard to the monument of Shakespeare. I am ignorant of any disputes that may have happened on that account, but own I was surprised when I heard that nothing had been done in that affair. I entirely submit to the opinions of the gentlemen who so generously contributed to the play in every respect, and, as I intend paying a visit to Stratford next summer, I hope to have the pleasure of seeing the monument of our immortal Bard compleatly finished; and will readily come into any proposal to make good the sum for the use intended, if what is already in the churchwardens’ hands should prove deficient.—I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, John Ward. Hereford, Dec. 3, 1748.