AT 19, John Rowlands, a poor Welsh boy, had emigrated to America, had
been adopted by a merchant of the name of Stanley, and had assumed the
latter name. At 22, his adopting father having died without a will,
young Stanley was serving as a petty officer on board the war-ship
_Minnesota_. At 26 he had become a journalist, and was about to
represent the _New York Herald_ with the British army in Abyssinia. On
returning from this expedition he delivered lectures on his adventures,
a handbill of which we reproduce on the page opposite, as a veritable
curiosity. At 31 he had discovered Dr. Livingstone, and had returned
with glory. What Mr. Stanley has done recently is known to all the
world.
[Illustration: _From a_] AGE 19. [_Photograph._]
[Illustration: _From a_] AGE 22. [_Photograph._]
[Illustration: _From a Photo. by_] AGE 26. [_Rockwell & Co.,
New York._]
[Illustration: _From a Photo. by_] AGE 31 [_The Stereoscopic
Co._]
[Illustration: _From a Photo. by_] PRESENT DAY. [_John Fergus,
Cannes._]
[Illustration: Fac-simile of Handbill of Mr. H. M. STANLEY's first
Lecture in America.
(_Half original size._)]
_Stories of the Victoria Cross: Told by Those who have Won it._
NO tales of heroism are more thrilling and exciting than the narratives
of the exploits which have gained the coveted reward of the Victoria
Cross; and a story never has so much reality and vividness as when it
comes first-hand from the performer of the deed. Accordingly, we have
asked a number of the heroes of the Victoria Cross--a truly noble
army--to relate in their own language how they came to win the most
glorious decoration open to a soldier, the plain bronze cross "For
Valour." The narratives which follow require no further introduction,
and will, we think, be found to possess an interest which is all their
own--the interest and impression of reality.