The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-27
K n ! v A..
Mr.. MacGahan's Paper on Ehya Before the
American Geographical Society.
The Russian Expedition of
Conquest.
Speeches Of Chief Justice Daly, General
Sherman and Or. Hayes.

iascihatloh Mo0fe'S "Lalia Rookh," WRITTEN With-
out the writer ever having beheld the scenes i'm
morfalized by the glowing splendor OF his verse,
has added TO the spell deeper and more abiding
enchantment. 1t seems almost ruthless outlawry
to lift this veil OF romance and expose to view the
long-hidden realms of reality anu then, adding
cruelty to the whole, PROFOUND In the most pro-
sale manner possible fhe series OF poetic conun-
drums
Where that plenty of dutiful vassals,
That plenty Of gold h and e spare as.ios,
Why are all dissolved in the air Z
But these are the days of coming down to the
hardpan OF facts and newspaper enterprise has
done more to accomplish this result than any other
human agency. 1t found out DR.. Livingstone, and
showed what country the interior OF Africa is
and the mystic Nile and the mystery Of Its myriad
lakes. And now the same spirit OF progressive
newspaper enterprise dispels the olden glories
OF romance about Khva and its khans, palaces
and mosques and beautiful women. Mr.. J. A.
MacGahan, commissioner OF the HERALD, Is the
nrBt one to "hold the mirror up to nature" and
show the PEOPLE of New York this country OF lnde-
pendent Turkistan in its true and decidedly un-
poetic but none the less interesting light. His
brilliant letters and their vivid portrayas Of the
scenes attending the entering Of Khlva by the
Russian expedition under command OF General
Kaufman, OF which he was the only civilian at
tendanu as published in the HERALD very nat
urally intensified the eagerness 20 hear q more
minute recital OF the details than was allowable
within the scope OF newspaper correspondence.
The announcement therefore, that Mr.. MacGahan
would, last evening under the auspices Of the
American Geographical Society, read paper CIV
ing more extended details OF the Khivan CAM
paign, nad the effect to fill the large HAN of the
cooper Institute. such a select and ineligible
assemblage has rarely been seen at any meeting
In this city. As the hour arrived Tor the
opening OF the Meeting some OF the more
prominent memoe& oil the society took their
places on the Platform. There were other
distinguished personages on the platform, includ.
ing General Sherman, whose appearance was the
signal Of hearty greeting by the audience Consul
General BodiscO, the Hon. s. s. Cox, General Sher-
man, Colonel I. Bailey Myers, DR.. ]. 1. Hayes.
Francis A. Stout. Henry Grinnel, General Han
cock, w. II. Moore. Rev. Mr.. Nassau, Chevalier
WyckOif DR.. A. X. Gardner, William Remsen,
George Goblet Ward Richard E. Mount, Colonel
AdenrieG, Oswald Ottendorfer and Colonel Devoe.
Some preliminary business was transacted and
Judge Daily, the President, explained why the
society had not yet taken any action regard
Ing the reported death of DR.. Livingstone,
which, he said, was on account of hope that
the venerable African explorer was stil alive--an
announcement that was received with demOnstra-
tons Of great delght-and he then, alter refer
ence to other matters. paved the way for the ap-
peHTaHce Oh MI. MacGahan, introducing MIN with
prelude OF pleasant compliment. AS MI. Mac.
Gahan advanced on the platform to the desk, and,
with bow TO the audience, lald his man uscrlpt on
the desk, he was greeted with an eXuberance OF
enthusiasm that al once put him en- RAPPORT with
me assemblage, HIS paper was listened to with
asssnce Of the Russian Column I' and battle tile
scenes his thriilingiy graphic, and, with the
accompanying strereoptcon views, gave to the
scenes described the yvidness OF reality But it is
unnecessary to follow MIN through all hIs interest,"
OF the Uxus explored with them the palace of the
Khan, threaded the mysteries Of the harem and
made, In short, general survey OF every phase of
khvan he Intermingiing with these general
descriptions were personal incidents, the intense
ndiCrouSnesS OF some OF which seemed more q
record oil dctlon than scenes from actual lite.
Ihe Proceedings.
1t was moved and seconded that the rules re-
ferring to the regular order OF business be sus-
pended, except the reading OF the list OF new men,
bers, which was then subm tied, numbering no.
who were declared unanimously elected.
SPEECH OF JUDGE DAILY.
Judge DAILY sad-I have been asked why it il
that the society has not taken some action in ref
occasion to say tnat although the report OF his
death has been corroborated by letter received
ant CAMERON cSmmander Of Inc Tee do Ipedien
yet its reliability is not assured. This report
eeSrates PR previous but It @
by whom the information was communicated to
Lieutenant Cameron. Under ordinary crcum-
Itances such report wonid be credited, as Dr.
LvIngstOne's death was before reported under Ike
circumstances There is still, however. faint
nope that the brave Old traveller still exists, and
the society, before taking any action in this mat
ter requires more cOrrOb0ratiOn than that already
received. The paper OF o-nlght wlh be by Mr.. J.
A. MacGahan, VINO, as the card states is the only
CIVILIAN who was present with the Russian col.
umn at the capture OF Khiva. MIR. MacGahan
and the society nonored tonight with
the presence OF General Sherman cheers)-wnO
has come on from Washington lor the purpose OF
General sherman Is himself a traveller, aud has
passed over portion OF Asia, shall, IL may
him to say word or two in regard to his iorneV
In the Caucasus. make thai request for par
ticular reason, because think he win crafty tue
rs account Of ina. Interesting sea eOunsry "
sion OF the Polars reception, photograph.
Ing the views, has come on from Boston to nlght
to render US the same service Oh tns occasion. 1t
is now, think, about 500 years ago since Marco
rolo made tnat most remarkable journey from
reved with SO much astonishment in E1ro mes and nd
woke that country up. from its lethargy 60
M aaS n an enterprise nI to 60 to the Cape
twelve months in that country, traveised
and from that time to the present. under the in
tolerance OF Mahometan rule, 1t has been shut
verscd by the gentleman who Will speak tonight
was, during the visit OF Marco Poio d part OF the
great empire established by Ghengls Kahn and Is
now the present acme o! the Turcomans. 1t was
also MI. MacGahan's good fortune To be spectator
OF those military movements which resulted
III opening up that country to the knowledge of
mankind, and wncn has extended the power OF
Russia from the shores Of the Caspian to the
northern bank Of the Oxus. He Is to speak OF an
old land to night, but new to modern civilization.
it affords me great pleasure to introduce to you
MIR. MacGahan. tCneersJ
Mr.. MACGAHANs ADDRESS.
MIR, PRESIDENT, FELLOWS OF THE AMERICAN
GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
Before proceeding with my paper this evening
would say that recognize III the distinguished
assembage gathered here a solder whose lame
found had preceded the Russian arms IN khiva.
Little did dream one hot tropical day In June,
when the Russian army arrived within sight of the
OXus With Parched tongues and empty stOmachs
after desert march OF 700 miles. as Kaufman
ana myself, seated in contiguous saddles, were
discussing Sherman's march from Atlanta to the
sea, tnat l would ever ind the great American
soiuier auditor OF mine, during my recital OF the
mnma campaign need not say, ladies' and gentle
p,en' now gratified am to see him here although
am perfectly aware that In his case at least,
an carving Goals to Newcastle The subject OF
sae paPer anu about to read Is Khlva. IL Is a