MR ARCHIBALD FORBES, THE PRINCE OF "SPECIALS."

Kumara Times, Issue 1722, 6 April 1882, Page 2

MR ARCHIBALD FORBES, THE PRINCE OF "SPECIALS."

That puffing little steam-tug, Mr R. S. Smythe, who took Charles Clark and Mr Proctor iu tow and towed them all through the Australian Colonies and New Zealand, and then a\?ay to America, has another big vessel in tow. Ha haß hold of Mr Archibald Forbes, the Prince of " Specials," who has been in nearly all the recent big battles, rubbed noses with all the crowned heads and most of the distinguished personages of Europe, and made a name scarcely second to that of the Veteran Dr Russell, is now lecturing in the United States with great success, and is to come onto New Zealand and Australia in tow of the indefatigable Smythe. He is to lecture on « Kings and Princes I have met," on ."Warriors'l have known," on the « Armies of Europe/

! and the general experiences of a war correspondent. He is altogether an interesting individual. The son of a Presbyterian D.D. 5 once a private soltiier; once also a love-sick swain who tried to elope With a young lady, and was, alas, caught J he has led from the ferst a life of adventure. He owed his ris3 in the ranks, we are told, to his Wng the only man in his company who could solve the following stupendous problem :—"lf one man is allowed the thirty-seventh part of an ounce or pepper per day, what is the arnouut to be drawn For two hundred men per week ? " He once worked up" an essay 'on the colonies, aboiU which he knew nothing, from an old encyclopedia, aud won the prize! A. man that has smelt * villainous saltpetre," and conversed familiarly with royalty, is by no means to be neglected when he comes to tell tis all about it. Smythe is a benefactor, and deserves the wArm reception in Store for him when he brings along his hew Hon.—" Civis "in the Orago Witness.