his history. The occupier of the cottage in July, 1827, was an old woman,
the widow of John Hathaway Taylor, whose mother was a Hathaway, and the
last of the family of that name.

[Illustration]

The widow Taylor showed Mr. Rider the old carved bedstead, mentioned by
"Ireland," and assured him she perfectly recollected his purchasing of her
mother-in-law the piece of furniture which had always been known by the
designation of _Shakspeare's Courting-Chair_. From the wood-cut of this
chair, given by Ireland in his "Views on the Avon," Mr. Rider has been
enabled to introduce it in his representation of the interior of the
cottage.

We have accordingly detached it for a vignette, and as the throne where

The lover,
Sighing like furnace, with woeful ballad
Made to his mistress' eye-brow--

it will probably be acceptable to the most enthusiastic of Shakspeare's
admirers; not doubting that scores of our lady-friends will provide
themselves with a chair of the same construction, if they would insure the
fervour and sincerity of the poet's love, or by association become more
susceptible of his inspirations of the master-passion of humanity.

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