Mr Archibald Forbes.

Southland Times, Issue 4489, 29 November 1882, Page 2

Mr Archibald Forbes.

Yesterday evening this famous visitor, whose arrival has been so eagerly looked for, made his first public appearance in New Zealand. Mr Forbes delivered his lecture on the " Experiences of a War Correspondent," to a large audience in Sloan's Hall, and was received with an enthusiasm becoming his reputation. Seldom have expectations been raised so high in regard to any lecturer, and seldom have they been so completely realized. Tbe speaker and the subject made the effort unique, and it was a treat oi no common sort to hear tbe first War Correspondent of the day discourse on the characteristics and experiences of his class. Mr Forbes's appearance and bearing are soldierlike and impressive, and he wore last night the medals and order that are part of the reward of his remarkable deeds. The lecture was eloquent in the extreme, and " stirred the blood like the sound of a trumpet." It was a series of vivid pictures of warfare, and a narrative of almost superhuman efforts to convey swiftly the news of battles to the eyes of his countrymen and of the world. No one who heard him will ■ ever forget the marvellous description of the siege of Plevna, the state of Paris after the surrender, or the glorious victory of Ulundi. It is impossible to convey an idea of the force and fiie of Mr Forbes's oratory, or of the power of his delineation of a field of battle. Tbe account of the grim British square at Uluadi, against which the hosts of Zulus poured themselves in vain, and that of the decisive charge of Colonel Lowe's Lancers, were pieces of description that fairly entranced his audience. There was also, running through the lecture, abundance both of pathos and humor — the story of the mirriagc and death of the Servian soldier and that of the correspondent's "assistant" being ample illustrations. It is needless to say that Mr Forbes is master of an admirable style, his fame being known to rest in a great measure on the beauty of the narratives that as a war correspondent he contributed to the press. The success of his iiret lecture has been complete, and we imagine that few who listened to it will be willing to absent themselves from those that are to come. This evening the subject will be " Kings and Princes I Have Met," and we anticipate an overflowing audience and a reception as warm ns that which greeted Mr Forbes last night.