Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-10-12
SWORD AND PEN.
A Talk with Archibald Forbes
the Famous War CsrrespOn-
dent.--His Success as u
lecturer.
New York Herald, Oct. u

New York Herald, Oct. ~
Reclining in an easy chair in hi
snug apartments at the BreYoort q
Herald reporter yesterday evening
found Nh. Archibald Forbes. the o
respondent of the London Daily News
MIR. Forbes had Just come in from an
afternoon ride and was taking a hasty
look at the evening papers before
dinner. He arose to meet the reporter.
and, after a firm grasp of the hand
and a hearty Glad to see you" ex.
pressed himself ready to answer any
number Of questions the reporter
might like to put into a quarter of az
hour, to which length Of time a din
ner engagement forced him to limit
the interview. The famous correspon.
dent has, as previously announced,
come to this country to deliver a series
Of lectures on his experiences in the
field. To this he was tempted BY bis
success for two or three seasons as a
lecturer in London and the provinces
What are your plans for the future
Il mean during your present visit 10
this c~ountry-Mr. Forbes2" the repor.
ter asked.
Well" he replied, II must first
fell you what my plans were before /
sailed, aud then l think you will see
that | have changed them for the bet.
ter. Ny original intention was to 20
at once to Canada, and thence to Nova
Scotia on a featuring tour. That
would occupy my time for two months,
while you good people of America are
in the throes Of a political struggle
know how people concentrate them
selves on politics in America. and
thought hat during the political
struggle it would be unwise to seek t.
obtain audiences in the states. just
Def IRE sailing, however, | changed my
mind, aud, now that | am here, | can
see the wisdom of the change. |
thought | ought, even at the risk OF
having to work against the excitement
incident TO a great political crisis, Ia
begin in New York, and my agent,
Mr.. D'Oyly Carte, has arranged
for me to give my first lecture
in Chickering hall on Wednesday
evening, the 18th lust. / leave here
on the 10th for Halifax, and shall NOT
return to New York until the second
week in November. There is a strong
demand for my lectures in several
towns in the vicinity of New York
and visit them in the early part OF
November, probably lectiring again
here about the 18th Of that month.
DO you anticipate a prosperous
tour in this country"
Nothing could look better than
matters do at present. | look upon i;
as quite extraordinary that / am
booked to lecture every night until
the first Of the new year. / came
here with feelings Of nervousness.
but things are going so well that | feel
very much encouraged.
AN ADVENTURE AT SEDAN.
by the way, | must tell yon an
amusing thing that happened to me
the other day. OF course you know
you needn't publish it; but il amused
me very much at the time. | went Ia
visit the battle field at Sedan on the
tenth anniyers aryo Of the famous battle.
and while | was there / made the
acquaintance Of az American gentle.
man and his wife. Travelling with
them up the Belgian line Of railway
led up the conversation with great
dexterty to the subject of lectur-
ing in the United States.
ASKED tho gentleman, Of course not
letting him know who | was. VIII A.
sort off, show lecturers had out here.
dis reply was certainly candid. lie
said We'll, | guess leeturing Il
getting played out in America. This
discouraged me a good deal. Nv
friend, however, went on to say that
he heard Mr.. Forbes was going ont
to lecture, and he expected be would
get on well, as his lectures were an
given from actual personal experience,
This cheered me up, and / made my.
sell known 10 my companion. AZ the
same time thanking him for having
unintentionally given me the greatest
encouragement.
will you tell me something o your