THE SPELLING OF. SHAKSPERE'S NAME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7000, 24 April 1884, Page 6

THE SPELLING OF. SHAKSPERE'S NAME.

TO THK EDITOR. Sib, —In to-day's Hkbald you speak of the day as being. " memorable as the birth-, day of England's greatest dramatist, William Shakspear." Will you kindly allow me a : word or two abont the spelling of his same ? The ; records show .bayond all reasonable doubt that his family name. was spelt Shakspere, and.that the poet himself wrote it thus. Critics have pointed, out that Shakespear (or Shakespeare) is probably, intended to give greater, prominence to the derivation"of thename ''Shake-spear," and it has been argued that when the last, syllable is spelt "spear," the letter "e" should not be omitted from the first syllable. " shake." Into the merits of this argument 1 ,do not pretend .to enter. .My , object in writing is, merely, on this anniversary of the poet's birthday, to plead for his name being spelt, in accordance with the ÜBage of his time, William Shakspere. There are those who think that this spelling adds beauty to the name and preserves the memory of the age in which he lived. In these mattsr-of-fact days a little sentiment is perhaps excusable.—Yours, &0., Stbatforb-dn-Avon; FIRE BRIGADES AND THEIR COST. TO THB EDITOR. Sib, —If legislation in the direction ef fixing the cost and charges of the support of fire brigades takes place during the next session,! would suggest a means of dealing with the subject which is not all original, but which commends itself for practicability. A. fixed scale of oharges being determined upon.for the use of the brigades at fires, the Act of Parliament should provide that insured and uninsured property should be chargeable for such services aa per scale. It is presumable that the amount charged on the insured property will be a fair expenditure, payable by the insurance company with other claims, while the owner of the uninsured property will hardly objeot to a, fair .payment for such, services. Another subjeot of considerable importance to the safety of the public should be incorporated in Such an Act, viz.; that [ all theatres and public buildings should be restrained from allowing a greater number of persons within any building described for such purposes than shall be endorsed on the license, the building or place having been previously examined and certified as to 'its capability by the city surveyor or other appointed officer. Any infringement bf the license to render the .owner or lefesee liable'to a. heavy, penalty for fallowing any greater number of'peVsons to be' present than 1 the license permitted, or for allowing any' spaceß ordered to be'left for the proper'entrances and exit to be occupied by persons or seats.— Youra, &c., T.O.