MR ARCHIBALD FORBES’ LECTURE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1263, 31 January 1883, Page 2

MR ARCHIBALD FORBES’ LECTURE.

“ KINGS AND PRINCES I HAVE MET.” If the attendance at Parnell and Boylan’s Hall last evening, was sparse, it was at least intelligent and appreciative. The lecture was most interesting, and was listened to throughout with rapt attention. There can be no doubt but that Mr Forbes has had a wonderful experience of the Crowned Heads of Europe ami members of Royal Families, and his description of them from the Emperor of Germany down to the brother of Cetawayo, the King of Zululand, was well received. The lecture is both interesting and instructive. It brings back and refreshes the memory as to the incidents of the wars which have raged in Europe since the FrancoPrussian war. The lecturer gave p.oof that he was thoroughly conversant with the subject he had in hand, and vividly described the many different alterations in the demeanour of monarchs who as the chances of the battles altered became at one time despondent, and shortly after possibly flushed with joy. His description of the meeting of the Emperors William and Napoleon at Sedan was well drawn and feelingly delivered, and the emotions which were displayed by the triumphant and the downcost monarchs pomtrayed in eloquent language. We regretted that Mr Forbes, in speaking of the late Czar of Russia, should have displayed a certain amount of levity. It may raise a laugh, but it does not tend to raise the lecturer in the minds of thinking men when he states that the Czar was buried “with great pomp, but without legs.” Although not witty the remark may be cal-

culated to secure a laugh, but last night it signa’lv failed. The story of the Illnesi of the Prince of Walesand of the agitated state of mind which existed throughout the whole of the British Dominions until His Royal Highness was restored to health, was skilfully handled, and evoked considerable applause. That the loyalty of the Gisborne people is beyond a doubt was evidenced by the plaudits of the audience when the portraits of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen and other members of the Royal Family were shown. To-night Mr Forces delivers another lecture, entitled “ Warriors I have Known,” which should prove highly interesting,