New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-10-14
MEETINGS WITH ROYALTY.
LECTURE BY ARCHIBALD FORBES.

As the peals of the organ died away IN Chickcr-
ing Hall last night murnur OF impa-
tent applause broke out from the large
audience which was fully conscious that
the time had crept on until twenty minutes past 8
Then there was lul, but The applause broke out
ag in with redoub ed force side door opened on
the stage and tall man IN fuh
evening dress walked out upon the plat
FORM With hardly a glance at the audience
and without acknowledging the applause thaf
greeted him. he quietly opened his manuscript ana
IN calm and bnsiness-like way began to read BIZ
lecture. As he stood behiad the reading stand the
severely plain lines of his evening dress showed with
Aattering distinctness h's wonderful ph' sique.
or unusual height with broad sqnare shoulders,
deep full chest a long thick trunk, cleanly cnt
TANKS and powerful limbs, the slightest movement
shaved the possession Of wonderful muscular
strength evenly and fully developed His square
head was uprightlv posed on full, we'll
rounded neck. His thin hair scrnpulonsiy
parted in the middle, left the square outlines OF his
broad forehead distinctly visible. Heavy almost
bushy eyebrows overhung deep-set penetrating
eyes. sandy brisyling mustache half concealed
the firm lines Of his mouth, while his
massive chin was bare. Will and de-
termination were imprinted on the strong
lines of his face There was sort of bulldog reso-
luton visible that made spectators readily oehe'e
in Archibald Forbess wonderful rides over patbiess
wilds and heroic conduct under fire.
His lecture delivered very quie;ly,with haroiy
asngle gesture. His deep tones. easily heard were
marred only Ivy falling nfec ion that was CONSTANT
" used aud became somewhat monotonous There
was nothing in the least dramatic about his style;
indeed his lecture was heard almost as though 1t
were n painful duty be gotten through rs soon as
possible. But tie subject matter was so interest
ing so full of brilliant pen pictures, and 80 graph
icay told, that he held his audience perfectly
throughout.
ut was in july, 1870" quietly began Mr..
Forbes, that took up the trade of war CORE
spondent aud have followed it ever since. have
served Eve campaigns III Europe. one IN ASIA
one in Afrca. visited King 1hubah In Bur
nah. called on Stanley in Africa. witnessed
the fighting at the Khva Pass. been prisoner six
times. been half killed 10y mob and mentioned III
dispatches for saving life, and therefore might he
hardened for relating merely personal experiences,
But instead. have chosen to give some account OF
persons with whom have been brought in contact"
MIR. Forbes then continued, in substance as fol-
lows:
1t was in the Franco-Prussian War. when Prince
Frederick Charles was marching on Metz, that l
first saw in the market place of a little village ST.
Abbold the Emperor William, bluff, kcen-eyed, frank
of speech but genial With him were Won
Moltke thin, gaunt. wriukled knowing
how TO be silent IN seven languages and the rugged
Bismarck looking more like a soldier than states
man. For two hours William stood there sur
rounded by wondering cadets from the military
school watching the Army defle before him; now
white-coated. steel-breasted cuirassers, aud now
files of infantry with their bands. He personally
criticized the discipline aud equipment of the SOL
ders
August 49, 1870 at Gravellotte saw Prince
Frederick Charles who bad risen at daybreak, and
was consulting with his leaders. de was square
shouldered, upright man. with broad, square
brow, keen eye and WIDE mouth Cad
in red tunc and mounted on a bay
horse. he at last brought his hand down
on bis thigh, exclaimng: Your duty is to
march forward find the enemy, prevent his escape,
and fight him wherever you hud him" During the
roar of battle that day. with 10000 men dead
wall banked by dead horse and broken
wagon, with Bismarck him pretending to be
Wan Mnlfkes aaliSpef M. I'VE have won the bat
tle the victory with YOU majesty
God be thanked" exclaimed the Emperor and
bismarck nervousiy crushed the letter i'll ms haLd.
At Sedan the Emperor Wi liam sat on hill over
looking the battlefield with the American UencIais
Sheridan and Forsyth, when the news OF the caplt-
ulaIen came and the French bearer OF the dag OF
truce was riding sadly back AT dawn the
next morning Bismarck, who had been drinking
champagne aud eating sandwiches with officers and
myself until /. and arguing terms OF sur
render the rest of the night was mounted on
his nav fresh and clean shaver, riding toward
Sedan while we followed. shabby low carriage,
from winch came the CLEAN of gold lace, APP
prn,ched. Bismarck sprang from his morse, letting
~ 90 and bowed low The leaden col
ored, gaunt eyed. deep lined man with disheveed
AGghtlng al weayers cottage, NAPOLEON ana Dis
marck sat down and talked IN an undertone,
w we ea GSd Looked at the on om f his
dow, and eager Troops ana ha pros ", ion
Emperor ard Napoleon waited alone walking back
and FORTH hmpng slightly aud smoking countless
cigarettes me prGndesih e monarch sav s9s
cottage, waiting IN ATTENDANCE on a Prussian.
soon a troop of cnrassIers formed around the cot
tage. Bismarck returned and Napoleon was escorted
to a ruined house III Seoan. Won Moltke
had dispeled the obstinacy of the
French commander by showing nm nm h tne
signed The German monarch came ndrng down
with head proudly erect to meet the bent and
handkerchief at his eyes. while Williams lace
worked strangely. In the shattered house an IN
terview of twenty minutes was heio, theh Wlllam
rode away among his troops and Napoleon spent the
night in tine bedroom occupied by william TIE
night before. lie passed his tne III reaonhR' ana
the book significantly was Bulwers " Last OF the
r. was nv fortune to be with the Prince of Wales
In his through India, where many roya persons
were met characterized chiefly by a proiusion OF
salaams. a strong odor of spices, an abundance OF
jewelry. and strange mixture OF shabbiuess anu
Mr. Forbes then spoke of his acquaintance with
Alphonso of Spain, in 1874. and bis journey with
The shabbest miscreant" Mr.. Forbes continued,
that ever imposed OH the European pulpit, the
gaudiest 1rauu III thls century vi sduuJ i"uuo, Woo
the Shah of Persia. lie was sent as an advertise
Inent 10 assist IN raising money. / met bim at
Brussels He was well treated in ST. Petersburg,
given a cold welcome i'll Berlin because he
spat upon the Empress Augustus dress, and
raved about in England. He had diamond. pearl.
ruby, amethyst and emerald coats and the gems
were all shams quietly made In Pans
wear before hIs arrival. He offered
rewards for mystical gems lost from his
horses tails lie and ms suite befouled Bucking
patronized the Princess of Wales and Czarlna OF
Russia, keeping them waiting in Covent
Garden. Visiting Manchester cotton mill,
five hundred girls sang hymn OF welcome
and he wanted to buy Of the proprietor all his
female live stock. His saloon carriage travelled