The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-07-29

and a half years in South Africa. Lord Roberts left London for the Cape on December g, 1899, Lord Kitchener join ing him as Chief of the Staff at Gibral- tar. The telegram from Lord Roberts reached Kitchener at Khartum on Sun day, and next morning he commenced whatp roved to be record journey. Within a year he was in full command in South Africa, Lord Roberts having made over the duties to him on Novem- Der 30, 1900 Since that date he has increased his reputation enormously, even in quarters where regard for him was not particularly strong.
 Lord Kitchener's motto is Thor ough," and no one can say that he ever fails to act up to it. On his arms he quarters the Union Jack and the Turk ish flag, these being encircled by red mural crown inscribed Khartum. Aspall Hall, whose name Lord Kitchen CT incorporated in his title, is one Of the finest old granges remaining in the eastern counties. It is a two-story building, moated in the old style, and has a long family record attaching to it on the Sirdar's mothers side. Her family came into possession Of 1t just 200 years ago. Before that 1t was the residence of the famous Gotham family from the time of that Lady Cobham whose husband, Sir John Dldcastle, was burnt as Lollard in Henry V.'s days.
 Like the late MT. Cecil Rhodes, ru- nor has it that Lord Kitchener is something of woman-hater Certainly no one has ever linked his name with any fair lady. And yet he comes of marrying race. His father was twice married, and so was his grandfather. His brothers also have taken wives to themselves, but he remains single, Stories Of disappointment have been invented by the sentimental to account for his celbacy, none of which, per haps, are very near the truth. Napoleon once said of himself that mot all the fairest women of the world could com bine to make him sacrifice one hour of the work he has at heart" and the same might be said of Lord Kitchener. My Friend Kitchener was the sub ject of pathetic reference in Gordon's journal under the date of November 5, 1884 The relief expedition was then be- ing organized by Lord Wolseley, and the intelligence staff was trying to send messages to Khartum. "A curious thing has happened" wrote General Gordon on the date mentioned. My friend Kitchener sent up the post; he wrapped the letters in some old news papers Che gave me no news in his let ter); the old newspapers were thrown out in the garden; there clerk, who knew some English, found them blow ing about, and gave them to the apothecary of the hospital who knows English. The doctor found him reading them, saw date September 15, and se- cured them for me" Fourteen years later my friend Kitchener" carried, not news. but a victorious army, to the city where the heroic Gordon sacrificed his life so bravely.
 Lord Cromer once said that Kitchener would make an excellent Chancellor of the Exchequer. The cheapness of his victories in Egypt surprised the gen. tlenan who had to deal out the hard cash. "He is a splendid diDlomatist," said Lord Salisbury. This latter char acteristic was clearly enough shown in his treatment of the French at Fashoda. A less careful man might have done and said many things to Ma ior Marchand which might have been the cause of serious trouble. Il con- graduate you on all you have accom- plished," was the greeting given to the explorer by Lord Kitchener who quiet ly assumed British rights, the sens b!e thing, under the circumstances, to do.
 When Lord Kitchener was returning to England in 1899 he was very anxious to arrive in time to hear the House of Commons debate on the Sudan. He was on the point of embarking at Alex andria, not at that time in quarantine, when driving to the quay he heard that three cases of disease had broken out in the town. His companions said, All right, it is not in quarantine" Tt will be-" rejoined Lord Kitchener; and forthwith he turned the cab about, travelled to Port Said and took a steamer to Plume. Even there some difficultiea were met, but, finding a menagerie on it's way in the same boat, a gift from the Mikado to the Emperor of Austria, Lord Kitchener represented that the animals would die if kept back, prevailed, and went on; he attended the races at Vienna, and arrived in London in excellent time.
 After a short stay in England the Sirdar, as he then was, left England for the Sudan in August, 1889. A crowd gathered around him soon after he ar rived on the platform at Victoria half an hour before the departure of the train. While he stood talking with Colonel Kitchener, Colonel Hamilton, and Sir William Garstin Director of Public Works in Egypt, an American lady said to those around her: I'm just longing to shake hands with your greatest general. You think lot of our Dewey; we think lot of your Sirdar." A few minutes later she walk ed up to Lord Kitchener and held out her hand, the Sirdar courteously shook hands, and they exchanged Good by" q shall remeber that handshake all my life," said the American lady, as she retired into the crowd, and no doubt she will.
 One would not think it, but Lord Kitchener has a particularly soft spot for pets. A correspondent of the Navy and Army tells a few months ago he possessed tame starling, which he al- ways had near him. One day an idea struck him. It seemed that the pet was in poor spirits. Lord Kitchener con- ceived the idea that the bird was lonely