Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-22

an appeal for a sum of $500 with which to
meet the cost of restoring the tower OF
Purleigh Church, situated on a hill ABOUT
four miles from Maldon. in Essex. by way
of concentrating the association which
the edifce possesses with an ancestor OIL
George Washington, a meeting was helu
yesterday at the Mansion House here, pre-
sided over by Mr.. Henry Clay Evans. the
United States consul general. Lawrence
Washington was rector Of Purleigh from
1882 until 1913. and on being elected by rea-
son of his loyalty to the monarchy during
the civil war. he settled in Northamton-
shire. where are two churches. in which the
tombs OF members of the family may be
seen. After the death Of Lawrence wash
mRton. his two sons. In 1861. emigrated 10
Virginia, and one Of them. John, was the
REORGANIZATION of George Washington.
Mr.. Evans remarked that Americans. who
loved the name of Washington. felt great
interest in the project which the meeting
was convened to prom ote, and he appealed
to the liberality of his fellow countrymen
to supply the funds needed for its execu-
ton. pointing out that the chancel and
nave of the church--a thirteenth or four
teenth century building-had been reno
waited in 1892 at a cost OF 1.5oO. which was
raised with great difficulty and without
American aid. The Rev. r. T. Love- the
present rector of Purleigh. and the Rev. r.
J. Campbell of the City Temple, spoke in
support of the appeal.
old-Time Players Death
News of the death of poor Dan Leno
came as a painful shock to London play
goers today. Up to a week or ten days ago
he was appearing nightly at the Pavilion.
Toward the latter end Of last week 1t be-
came known that he was suffering from a
recurrence Of his old illness. but no one
anticipated the fatal termination announc-
ed today. The cause of his death Is
the subject Of some speculation, the Off
n fy,tf IA q Hheaft
failure" His loss robs us of the lion
comique" Of the London halls, and OF one
whose name was almost q household word
throughout England. Coming. as It does.
Campbell. gap has been made on the
boards Of the variety stage that will not
be easily filled. Yet 1t was almost in &C
cordance with the fitness OF things that
Dan Leno should have followed Herbert
Campbell SO quickly to the grave. In prt-
vate life the two were boon friends and
companions, whilst in the history OF stage
and pantomime their names will always be
inseparably associated.
Dan Leno was the Yor1ck OF the variety
stage. IA fellow OF infinite jest, of most
excellent fancy he was born humorist.
His spontaneous gag never failed to con-
vulse his audience. and whether discoursing
on his ancestral tree and his uncle's hang
ing on the branches, or descanting on the
disadvantages OF the human anatomy, he
was inimitable. He was very proud Of be-
ing the first variety artist to receive
command to appear before the court.
and he made much excellent material out
Of 1t afterward. Whats that? An invi-
tation from the king?' he would break on
In the middle OF one of his songs, address
Ing an imaginary caller in the wings. Once
he paid a visit to the house Of commons
and suggested the introduction of a plano
as calculated to liven the proceedings. His
humor shone forth conspicuously in Dan
Leno. his Book. and he was fond Of prac-
teal Jokes. He ought not to have returned
to the stage so soon after his mental
trouble last year. His end was similar to
that OF George Fox the old American pam
tomime artist. who died lunatic.
L. H MOORE