MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S HEALTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13583, 12 September 1908, Page 5 (Supplement)

MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S HEALTH.

Mb, Joseph Chamberlain is again ia England (writes our London correspondent on July 31). Practically unobserved, except by a handful of station officials and a few pressmen, tho former Secretary of State for the Colonies alighted from the Continental train at Charing Cross on Tuesday evening. He left Geneva the previous night. As ho passed from the train to the closed carriage in waiting he looked considerably better, but the feeble step with which he crossed the narrow platform, leaning on Mrs. Chamberlain's arm, showed that the statesman is still unfortunately far from full of physical efficiency. He has been on the Continent since the beginning of March, first at Cannes, then at Aix-les-Bains, and latterly at Lusanne, whither he journeyed by motor-car in order to consult the celebrated oculist, Professor Dufour, under whose care he still is. Mr. Chamberlain, it will be recalled, was seized with illness within a few hours df the celebration of his 70th birthday in July, 1906. He drove through Birmingham, covering more than 70 miles of streets, and spoke very frequently, with the result that his health broke down under the strain. Not until March of the following year was he well enough to travel, but in that month, looking very feeble and ill, he crossed France to Valescuxe in search of health. He really never has been well since, although in the latter part of 1907 and the early months of 1908 letters were received from him by various political friendsa symptom of returning strength. However, it is at length generally realised that Mr. Chamberlain's days of activity are over. He now presents a striking and almost painful contrast to the energetic figure of old. The keen features are still there, the same inevitable eyeglass, but the familiar orchid was not seen the other day. i