Dread o'er the scene the ghost of Hamlet stalks;
Othello rages, &c.
and then will he not enjoy a visit to the place where—
——Sweetest Shakspeare, Fancy's child,
Warbled his native wood-notes wild.
Sterne, the prince of sentimental tourists, says, "Let me have a companion of my way, were it but to remark how the shadows lengthen as the sun declines;" but, for our part, we should prefer a visit to Stratford, alone, unless it were with some garrulous old guide to entertain us with his or her reminiscences.
This brings us to Charlecote Hall, one of the Shakspearean relics. It consists of a venerable mansion, situated on the banks of the Avon, about four miles from Stratford, and built in the first year of the reign of Elizabeth, by Sir Thomas Lucy;
"A parliamente member, and justice of peace.
At home a poor scare-crow, at London an asse,"
and so well known as the prosecutor of Shakspeare. [1]