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	THE STAR
Largest Circulation of Any Evening Paper in the Kingdom.
London. Friday, 21 September, 1888.		One Halfpenny.

The Churchill branch of the Primrose League had a grand demonstration at All Saint's Institute, Priory-road, Clapham, last night. None outside of a very polite and influential circle were admitted, but friends holding constitutional views were invited, so a Star reporter was there. The hall was bright enough. The strains of pleasant music floated on the air, the platform was decorated with as many bilious-looking flags as would have made the sails for a man o' war, and altogether the scene was lively. Strolling about the room were young ladies in pretty white dresses, and with them chatted young gentlemen with white waistcoats and much younger moustachios. There were stalls, too, attended by Primrose Dames, from whom you could purchase anything from coffee or a bunch of flowers to a bust of Lord Salisbury or the Earl of Beaconsfield. Every gentleman purchased something, and had explained to him the glory of the Conservative cause, the wickedness of Mr. Gladstone, and the tyranny of Mr. Parnell.
A damper was thrown over the proceedings by the arrival of Mr. Gent-Davis and Mr. Darling.
Mr. Darling was the first to arrive. On his appearance, the gentlemen became quite enthusiastic, though the ladies did not. He looked upon the assembly with a gracious magnanimity and senatorial gravity. Mr. Darling served up the usual dish of Tory well-statements about Ireland, blinking fiercely during his speech, an example which the gas-jets closely followed.
Then came Mr. Gent-Davis. He did not intend making a long speech, he said. 'Hear, hear,' shouted someone, interpreting the feelings of the audience. He attempted to make a little joke. He spoke of Mr. Labouchere going to Ireland in search of truth. Mr. Davis laughed, and everybody else looked on in amazement. But Mr. Gent-Davis is nothing if not a prophet. Last night he assured his hearers that The Star would not live long, and so the Tories must be up and doing. The Star must be put out of the field - the Echo had no influence, and even the Evening News did not come quite up to Constitutional expectations. So a new paper must be started, said Mr. Davis, and he gave it to be clearly understood that he was the sort of man who could run it as it ought to be. Dr. Danford Thomas has been asked to become a County Council candidate, but he has pointed out that the Act expressly debars coroners from standing.

Footnote:
Regarding the comments above stating that 'The Star' will not last long -- well judge for yourself.
The Star. No.'s 1 - 8446. 17th January 1888 - 3rd May 1915.
The Star and Echo. No.'s 8447 - 8525. 4th May 1915 - 3rd August 1915.
The Star. No.'s 8526 - 22509. 4th August 1915 - 17th October 1960.
Then incorporated with 'The Evening News'.

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