The Topeka state journal., 1905-10-14

1ormances in the English provinces and
this week was playing an engagement
at Bradford, appearing in several IA
vorite roles.
Thursday he presented King Bene's
Daughter and The Bells and seem
ed to be in excellent health, taking the
/ exhausting part Of Matthias in the lat
ter play with all the vigor of youth.
Last night. before an enthusiastic au-
/ dience, he portrayed one of his most
chara acteristically Intellectual parts, the
title role in his own stage adaptation
Of Lord Tennyson's Beckett" with
marked success.
After the performance Sir Henry re-
turned to the hotel, reaching his rooms
at 11:30 o'clock, when it was observed
that he was in great pain Physicians
were Immediately summoned, but be-
fore they could arrive Sir Henry was
seized with an attack Of syncope and
expired within a few minutes. without
having uttered a word. in the presence
Of Bran Stoker, who has been his i'm
mediate manager for many years, and
a few other intimate friends. The event
caused the greatest pain and cOnsterna-
ton among the members OF sthe com
pany.
His Heart in His Work.
To the last moment Of his life. Sir
Henry Irving's heart was in the work
to which he had devoted his career-the
{
Wednesday he was entertained at
luncheon in the Bradford town hall. at
which the mayor presented him an ad-
dress from his admirers
In replying to the address Sir Henry
spoke of himself as one the sands Of
whose life were fast running out, but
no one then present had the slightest
idea that the end would come so SOOn-
He proceeded in his reply to eloquently
advocate the establishment of theaters
by municipalities, because. he said,
Il believe that by this means the stand
ard Of the true drama as distinguished
from miscellaneous entertainments,
would be successfully upheld
Money is speEs- like water for all
kinds Of phllanthr0plc and educational
Objects he continued, but who
amongst you ever dreams OF endoWlng
the theater2 I am sure the time viii
come when you viii regard the thearer
as necessary. TO a liberal education and
be prepared to consider any reasonable
suggestions for the extension OF his
legitimate influence
1T may be that IN years to come
our countr-fulen viii scarcely under
stand how IN our times 50 potent an
instrument OF good or Ill as the stage
was left entirely outside the sphere OF
public administrations
Sir Henry's last appearances in Lon
don were made last summer, following
his serious illness when the enrhuSI-
asun at the nightly receptions accorded
Will long be remembered. Since then
ne had been engaged in touring the
provinces. and contemplated another
visit to the United States
Sketch of the BIan.
Sir Henry Irving. or-manager.
author and public speaker, was the
most distinguished world figure in the
drama since the death OF Edwin Booth
As manager he was famous for the
accurate. elaborate and beautiful stage
settings OF his productions. while as an
actor he was distinguished for the psy-
Geological force Of his characterize
tiozs
As John Henry BrOdribb. he was
born at Keinton, Somersetshire. F'ebru-
ary 6. 1888 His stage name Of Irving
was Iegalized in 1888. After being care
fully educated at a private school. he
was placed IN aecommerefaI situation.
but early began fitting himself for
dramatic career and made his first pro-
fessional appearance at Sunderland in
1856 After playing Edinburg. Glasgow
and Manchester. among other provin-
cisI towns. with frequent discourage
nnents. ne appeared at the St. James
theater- London In 1855
He soon became noted as an inter
prefer Of light comedy parts and as
J the heavy villain tn such roles as