SHAKSPEARE'S JUBILEE. WHEN Garrick first proposed to institute a Jubilee, in honour of our immortal Shakspeare, the public immediately formed very high expectations of the entertainment they were to receive. The design was certainly noble in itself, whatever might be the motives; and, in spite of all the ridicule and opposition which envy or malice exerted, it was carried into execution. It was allowed, by men of the first rank in the literary world, that no occasion of festivity ever was, or ever could be, more justifiable, than that of paying honours to the memory of so great an ornament to his country, as the inimitable Shakspeare. In the spring and summer of 1769, great preparations were made in all parts of the town, against the approaching festival. A very large and magnificent octagonal amphitheatre was erected upon the Bankcroft, close to the river Avon; and which, to please the prevailing taste, somewhat resembled Ranelagh Rotunda : it was capable of conveniently holding above one thousand spectators. Upon the margin of the Avon were ranged VOL. I. R thirty cannon, (sixteen of them thirty-two pounders,) twelve cohorns, and some mortars, to be fired upon the opening of, and during, the Jubilee; and an immense quantity of fire-works, and variegated lamps for the illuminations, were sent in two waggons from London, for the amusement of the company. A beautiful ribbon (afterwards formed into favours) was purposely made at Coventry, and called the Jubilee ribbon, which united and blended all the colours of the rainbow. A medal, engraved by Mr. Westwood, of Birmingham, similar to that worn by Garrick, was struck on this occasion, in copper, silver, and gold: these, as well as the ribbon, were eagerly bought up. On one side was a good likeness of Shakspeare, with the following words from his own play of Hamlet,-" We shall not look upon his like again." On the reverse,"Jubilee at Stratford, in honour and to the memory of SHAKSPEARE. Sept. 1769. D. G. Steward." The first opening of the Jubilee was announced by firing the cannon, ranged upon the banks of the Avon, about five o'clock on Wednesday morning, the 6th of September, 1769; and im mediately afterwards, the principal ladies were serenaded by a number of young men, fantastically dressed, belonging to the theatre, with the following song, accompanied by hautboys, flutes, clarionets, guitars, and other instruments : "Let beauty with the sun arise, With heav'nly smiles, and speaking eyes, Give lustre to the day. Each smile she gives protects his name, Which beauty deigns to crown." The company were also entertained with the Warwickshire ballad, written by Garrick. The whole town being roused by these performances, the Corporation assembled, about eight o'clock, in one of the principal streets. A public breakfast was held at the Town, or Shakspeare's Hall, at nine, to which every purchaser of a guinea ticket for the various entertainments, (the masquerade only excepted, which was rated separately at half-a-guinea,) was admitted, upon payment of a shilling, and regaled with tea, coffee, and chocolate. Garrick, who officiated as Steward, came to the breakfast-room soon after eight, to see that every thing was properly prepared for the reception of the company, as well as to be himself in readiness to receive them. Previous to the arrival of the company, the Mayor and Corporation waited upon Garrick, at Shakspeare's Hall; where William Hunt, Esq. the Town Clerk, delivered to him the ensigns of his office, viz. a medal (on which was carved a bust of the bard, and richly set in gold) and wand, both made of the famous mulberry-tree. From the Town Hall, the company proceeded in regular order, to the Church; where the Oratorio of "Judith," composed by Dr. Arne, was well performed in a large temporary orchestra, erected under the organ. This piece opened at eleven; and, at its close, Garrick, at the head of the performers, walked in procession from the Church, attended by a large cavalcade of the nobility and gentry, in their coaches, chaises, &c. to the amphitheatre-Vernon, and the rest, singing the following Chorus: "This is a day, a holiday! a holiday! Here Nature nurs'd her darling boy,* Whose harp the Muses strung: At three, a grand and sumptuous banquet was given at the amphitheatre, Garrick presiding as Steward. The company were occasionally gratified with a variety of new songs, catches, and glees, adapted to the purpose of the Jubilee; after which, they separated, to prepare for the assembly. The whole town was illuminated, drums were beating, and a tumult of perfect satisfaction every where predominated. The assembly at the amphitheatre was numerously attended; during which, a succession of beautiful fire-works were let off. Dancing continued till about three o'clock; and thus ended the first day's entertainment. On the second day, the performers walked This verse was sung opposite the house where Shakspeare was born. |