OBITUARY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 80, 2 April 1900, Page 2

OBITUARY.

MR. ARCHIBALD FORBES. [ [Bl KMOTBIO THMBaBAPH.—OOPYBKJHT.] |PBB PKBBS ASSOCIATION. J (Received 1, 6 p.m.) London, March 31. Obituary: Mr. Archibald Forbes, tke well-known war correspondent. [There are few names more known j all over the world than that of the late Archibald Forbes, whose reputation as | a war correspondent and writer on matters akin to hig calling deservedly stands in the first rank of a profession which requires exceptional gifts and courage even in its neophytes. A native of Morayshire, Scotland, he was bora in 1838, In his education at Aberdeen University and subsequent service for several years in the Royal Dragoons the deceased journalist fitted himself for his subsequent career as special correspondent for the London Daily flew. From the beginning to the end of the Franco-German War, Mr. Ferbes accompanied the German Army, and the graphic accounts which from time to time emanated from bis facile pen were alike remarkable for the intimate acquaintance shown by the writer of the details and effect of military movements, and for the panoramic word-pictures of the various engagements that took place and the closing scenes of the Commune. That Mr. Forbes was an artistic journalist was shown throughout the whole of bis ! career, and that he was pre-eminent in his sphere was evident by the fact that ' he was permitted to accompany the [ Prince of "Wales in the tour of His i Eoyal Highness through India in . 1875-8. He had already made ac- | quaintance with India in 1874, when ; it was bis mission to record the horrible • sufferings caused by the plague then i rampant. He was present in Servia in ; 1876 at all the important fights, and ; during the Russo-Turkish campaign in \ the following year he was attached to i the Russian Army, being present at th« ■ crossing of the Danube, the disastrous ■ battle of Plevona, and remaining con- ; tinuously in the field until attacked r by fever. In the following year, howr ever, he was sufficiently recovered to s proceed to Cyprus, and from there wrote k some of the best of his literary produc- ; tions. The severe strain of his work 3 told upon his health, and much to his regret he was unable to be present at i the Egyptian and Soudan campaigns. 1 In later years Mr. Forbes devoted his ' time and talents to lecturing and 3 authorship. Although Mr. Forbes has t passed away his reputation and writings i will long survive, and his courage in I many trying and dangerous circum- ' stances showed how peculiarly fitted he 3 was for the profession he had embraced 3 and so conspicuously adorned.]