VILLIERS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue XVIII, 28 October 1899, Page 783

VILLIERS.

Under the title of “Khartoum at Last” Mr Frederick Villiers, the wellknown war correspondent, has now lectured through New Zealand on the subject of Lord Kitchener's famous campaign in the Soudan. No doubt owing to the brilliant narratives of Mr Stevens and others there was nothing very new in what Mr Villiers had to say. But a story related viva voce to an enrapt audience is worth a score of even the most nervously written discriptions. The marvellous abilities of the Sirdar, the extraordinary celerity of the work, the splendid organisation visible on every side, all these were recapitulated and done full justice to by Mr Villiers.- The Battle of Omdurinan, the charge of the 21st Lancers, McDonald’s stand, and all the familiar episodes of the war are described with a wealth of detail hitherto lacking. Mr Villiers was also able to touch incidentally on the present field of British action in the Transvaal, and was able to show the effect of the terrible Lyddite shells so much talked of since the rumors from Mafeking. The photos and sketches by which the lecture was illustrated were most interesting and aroused frequent applause.