Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-20
Last Sad 0bsequies Of the
Great English Actor.
WESTMINSTER BURIAL
SERVICES IN THE ABBEY OF AN
IMPRESSIVE CHARACTER.
Mass of Floral Tributes-One From the
Queen-Ktng Edward Represent
ed at Ceremonies.

LONDON, October 1O-Beside that 9TH
er great actor, Garrick. and under the
shadow of the statue of Shakespeare, as
the interpreter of whose plays he won
fame the ashes of Sir Henry Irving were
today given burial IN Westminster Abbey
thus being accorded England's greatest
tribute to her dead. The services, which
were Of an impressive character, were con-
Quoted in the presence of congregation
which included many from the highest Of
fetal life of England. eminent representa-
tives of all the walks of life and all the
representatives OF the gallery, to which
Irving was 50 Invariably attentive. who
could find standing room in the abbey.
King Edward was represented by Gen.
Sir Dighton Probyn. keeper of the privy
purse, and the Prince of Wales was repre-
scented by Lieut.. Col. w. II. P. Darlington,
controller of the princes household, while
the cabinet ministers and ambassadors at
visiting In Scotland coming to London
purposely to testify Americas regard for
the dead tragedian.
Immense Crowd at Abbey.
Long before the hour set for the service
immense crowds gathered around the alb
hey and those having cards OF admission
were in their seats as early as 10 o'clock.
Those who were unable to secure admit
lance remained about the entrance until
the conclusion of the GERMANY. when in
common with thousands of others, they
passed through Poets Corner to see the
burial place.
The service. although short and simple,
was most impressive. AS the mourners ar
rived Sir Frederick Bridge, the organist Of
Westminster Abbey. played Chopin's flu
neral march, followed by PurceIs funeral
bones. Then came Schuberts ''Marche
Solennele'
Sharply at noon the procession started
from the chapel of st. Faith. where the
night and passed through the ciolsters to
the space between the choir and sanctu-
airy. where the casket covered with the
pail Of laurel wreaths. was placed on a
cataifalque. During the procession the choir
sang the hymn Brief Life Is Here Our Por-
tom" then followed tie psalm Lord, Thou
Hast Been Our Refuge" The lesson was
read by Canon Duckworth, the subdean or
Ice by Bishop Weldon, Archdeacon Wilber-
force and Canon Hensley Henson. The an
thems were Crossing the Bar and weep
Ye Not for the Dead"
After the anthem the casket was borne
to the grave as the organ peaIed forth the
funeral march from "Corilanius.
The Only Mourners.
The only TnOurncTS were Lazy 1TNiLS
the sons OF Sir Henry Irving. few init
mate friends and the pallbearers, Sir Squire
Bancroft, the Earl of Aberdeen, Lord Ten
nyson, Lord Burnham. Sir Alexander Muir
Mackenzie. Beerbohm Tree. Sir Lawrence
Alma-Tadema, Sir James Dewar, Arthur
Wing Pinero, Mr.. Burdett-Goutts. NJ P;
Sir Charles Wyndham, John Hare, George
Alexander and J. Forbes Robertson. fol-
lowered the casket to the grave. in the mar
row space surrounding which are the tomDs
and statues of many of England's great
men of letters.
OF the mass of floral pieces sent by
friends and admirers of Irving but four
had places during the service. One of these
was cross Of lilies from Queen Alexandra,
bearing the words
ITO Sir Henry Irving, from the queen
Into Thy hands. o Lord Into Thy hands!"
That the death of Irving Is considered
national loss Is shown by the universal
mourning throughout London. Scores OF
thousands of persons stood In the streets
for hours around the abbey. as the only
means Of paying a last tribute, while for
those who were unable to get into West
minister Abbey services were held IN sew
eral churches OF the city. The flags On
many of the public buildings. including the
American embassy and consulate, were at
haR-nast, and hundreds wore crepe bands
and black ties
Upon his arrival in London from Scot
land this morning Ambassador Reid sent
the family of Sir Henry Irving message
conveying his personal regard for Sir Henry
and sincere condolences in behalf OF the
American nation