The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-15

The audience that listened to Winston
Churchill telling of his experiences in The
Boer war. both as a war correspondent in
the field with the English army and as a
prisoner in Pretoria, at the National The
atre yesterday afternoon, was notable
more for it's brilliancy than its numerical
size. The boxes were occupied by persons
distinguished in social and official lie.
and rarely has a lecturer addressed a
more -appreciative assemblage.
Until the very moment set for the lee
ture, there were grave doubts as to
whether Mr.. Churchill would be able to
fulfill his engagement. He was under the
! care of physician from the time of h S
arrival In the city. and was in no physical
condition for his hour and a ha.f talk.
With his temperature at 104 and despite
the protests of his doctor. the talented
and courageous war correspondent and
soldier insisted upon appearing before his
audience, and were 1t not for the passing
reference of Senator Depew to Mr..
ChurchilIs indisposition in introducing
him, no one in the theatre would have
suspected that lie was very sick young
man.
said:
II have had many pleasant features as
signed to me in the course Of my life. but
none that afforded me more qualification
than to appear here this afternoon in this
very pleasant function in which l am en-
gagged.
Il recall, years ago. being the guest at
the country seat of Lord and Lady Ran
dolph Churchill. One of the discussions
of the evening was about what was to he
the career of Winston, and 1t was said
that Winston was to be soldier. made
UP my mind then that notwithstanding he
had blood of the Churchills of England
and the Jeromes of the United States, that
because of the changed conditions of mod
ern times, and with the different careers
that were possible in the nineteenth CEN
fury from those that were possible in the
seventeenth century. that the son of the
daughter of Leonard Jerome. and the son
of Randolph Churchill would never be a
soldier. The opportunities in the career
Of soldier in these times, when so much
of his life must be spent in camp. and
with little to DO that is exciting, and lit
tie opportunity for promotion. would
never suit blood like that, and the
thought / had at that time is realized in
the presence of Winston Churchill here
this afternoon.
Randolph Spencer Churchill, at twenty
six years OF age, appeared as young mem.
her OF the British Parliament at the House
OF Commons, and at twenty-six years of
age his son appears as his successor for the
honOrs OF another career. but in the
changes OF the time the young mans career
Is more varied than was that of the father.
mfr. Churchill has been a soldier, in
tends to be statesman, remains still a
journalist, author, and lecturer, and I
trust that he may continue all of these
varied pursuits during the long useful
career of his brilliant life, and now I have
the pleasure of introducing to you the
friend OF my old friend, American on one
side and British on the other-the best
combination in the world-Mr. Winston
Churchill"
In telling the story Of his experiences
in South Africa. Mr.. Churchill spoke in a
voice that Instantly brought to mind
Stuart Robson, the actor. With a slight
lisp and hesitancy in speech. his re-
marks were delivered without any refer
ence to notes or memoranda OF any kind.
He possesses no marked traits of the pro-
fessional public speaker. He talks with
both hands upon his hips much Of the time
and at intervals rests an elbow upon a
desk. His narration Of the facts that
came under his observation during his
Imprisonment in the Boer capital and his
subsequent escape and later experiences
with the British troops was straightfor-
ward and without any effort at word
painting OF eioquence.
Throughout the fore part OF his lecture
Mr.. Churchill mentioned the earlier dis.
asters that overlook the English army,
resulting in the shutting up of General
White in Ladysmith, and of his own cap
ture and Imprisonment in the model
schoolhouse in Pretoria.
Il climbed prison fence where tree
cast a shadow he said. "The Boer sem
try stood not ten feet away, but he was
turned from me. lighting his pipe. and the
last thing I remember as / dropped on
the other side of the ornamented iron
fence was the red glow of the match in
the hollow of the sentry's hands,
The subsequent efforts to reach the
British forces were dwelt upon at some
length and the recital was frightened by
many shafts of humor. and let IL be said
that Mr.. Churchill in his lecture showed
himself to have ii vast fund of wit of a
very superior order, and as much appre-
ciated as any part of his address were the
numerous humorous bits that were inter-
spersed among the narration of the many
stirring incidents.
Three score or more of photographs Of
scenes in the Transvaal conflict were
thrown upon a screen and served to
heighten the descriptions of the lecturer.
THE GOLD AND SILVER SUPPLY.