Theatre Royal.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5338, 16 August 1895, Page 2

Theatre Royal.

Mr F. Tilliera, the famous war artist and correspondent, gave bis farewell lecture to a very good house at the TheatreEoyal last evening. He commenced by giving an account of his introduction to art, and described his sensations during the " baptism of fire " Tbich he received when acting as special artist for the Graphic in the Servian War in 1876. He related Borne of the events of the war between Servia and Bulgaria in 1886, in which he succeeded in getting to the front disguised as an American expert in coal-mineß. He showed what cowards the Servians, and more especially Sing Milan,' proved themselves to be. la, conclusion he gave particulars of the hardships met with by the expedition which went np the Nile for the relief of Khartoum with the intention of rescuing General Gordon, and described how. the news of the fall of that place had been brought down the river by Stuart Wortley. He also told in eloquent language the particulars of the deaths of Colonel Burnaby and General Stewart. The lecture, which was attentively listened to, was illustrated by photographs and sketches taken by the lecturer. Mr Villiers leaves for Timaru by the express this morning.