ilwhite was an ardent and life-long admirer of Shakespeare. It is
not improbable that after her marriage Elizabeth Frum, proud of her
former relations with the poet, encouraged her husband in those
cordial offices which helped to promote Shakespeare's
contemporaneous fame. At any rate, The Tidings was the first public
print to recognize Shakespeare's genius, and Andrew Wilwhite was the
first of Shakespeare's contemporaries to give public expression to
his admiration and abiding faith in the talents of the poet.

"We print in our supplement to-day a sonnet from the pen of Willie
Shakespeare, son of our esteemed townsman, Squire John Shakespeare.
Willie is now located in London, and is recognized as one of the
brightest constellations in the literary galaxy of the
metropolis."--The Tidings, May 18th, 1587.

"Mistress Shakespeare laid an egg on our table yesterday measuring
eleven inches in circumference. The amiable and accomplished wench
informs us that her husband, whose poetic genius frequently
illuminates these columns, will visit our midst next month. William,
here is our [hand pointing to the right]."--The Tidings, June 13th,
1587.

"The gifted W. Shaxpur honored this office with a call last
Thursday. He was smiling all over. It is a boy, and weighs ten
pounds. Thanks, Willie, for the cigar; it was a daisy."--The
Tidings, July 9th, 1587.

"The fireworks on Squire Shakespere's lawn last Fourth of July night
were the finest ever witnessed in the county. They were brought up
from London by the Squire's son William, the famous poet."--Ibid.

"If you want to make Bill Shaxpeare hopping mad, just ask him how
much venison is a pound. All joking aside, Willie is the leading
poet of the age."--The Tidings, July 16th, 1587.

Two years later the following references were made by Wilwhite to
the dramatic prodigy:

"We would acknowledge the receipt (from Isaac Jaggard and Edward
Blount, the well-known publishers) of a volume entitled, 'The First
Part of King Henry the Sixt,' the same being a dramatic poem by
Willie Shaxper, formerly of this town. Critique of the work is
deferred."--April 23d, 1589.

"Our London exchanges agree that Willie Shaksper's new play is the
greatest thing of the season. We knew that Willie would get there
sooner or later. There are no flies on him."--April 23d, 1589.

"The Thespian Amateur association of the Congrega