ROMANCE OF A CLOWN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20958, 22 August 1931, Page 3 (Supplement)

ROMANCE OF A CLOWN.

ENGLAND'S " SINGING PEER." SOMERSAULT GAINS A WIFE. The Earl of Tankerville, known as England's " singing peer," died on July 9 at his home, Chillingham Castle, C'hatton. Northumberland. He was in his eightieth year, and had been ill for only four days. Lord Tankerville, who succeeded to the title in 1899, was the possessor of a rich bass-baritone voice, and many years ago he toured the country with Mr. Moody, the evangelist, singing at his religious meetings. Recently he sang seventeen songs in English, French, Italian," and German at a viilage concert at Chatton. Three years ago Lord Tankerville startled the medical profession by declaring at an anti-vivisection meeting at Newcastle that he had decided to " chuck doctors." " I have suffered much from the noble profession," ho declared, " and T have received treatment from kindly folk at Edinburgh, who have given me back my youth, so that I am able to sing again." He was referring to the fact that two years before he had been given up by his doctors, and had tried a " nature cure" as a last resort. Joining the Navy at the age of thirteen, Lord Tankerville lived on the customary rations of Salt junk and ship's biscuits. Ibj suffered from seasickness, however, throughout'every voyage, and it was decided to give hirri a fresh start in the Army. He served for eight years in the Rifle BrigadeLord Tankerville once told how he met his wife. He said: " When visiting an American general in New York T was romping with his children, and i turned a clown's somersault, over the sofa. I landed at the feet of a lady, an absolute stranger to me. " When, by way of explanation, I told the lady I had once been a clown, she replied, ' One meets many clowns, but, few who are ready to admit it.' Within twenty-four hours 1 knew that she would some day be my wife."

The Countess of Tankerville was the daughter of Mr. J. G. Van Marter, of New York. The heir l-o the title is Lord Ossulston, who for some time operated an air-taxi service with his light aeroplane. He is 33 years of age.