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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 64

Captain Russell

Captain Russell.

Captain William R. Russell, a wealthy run-holder, the son of Colonel Russell, at one time Colonial Defence Minister, well educated, with good abilities, a diligent student, and extremely ambitious, entered Parliament under the most favorable conditions. His own constituents and Parliamentary veterans all believed that he would achieve high political fame—some day be a Minister, perhaps even a Premier. His early actions alter entering the House seemed to justify this belief, because his very carefully-prepared speeches gave promise of a brilliant success. Soon, however, the student life of "plain living and high thinking" was changed, and the quiet country runholder found the winter gaieties of Wellington as fatal to him in their seductiveness as were the festivities of Capua to Hannibal's army when in their winter quarters before Rome. Unless he take heed, defeat will attend the modern as well as the ancient soldier. Of late, like the brave Geraint, he has grown

Forgetful of his promise to the King,
Forgetful of the falcon and the hunt.
Forgetful of the tilt and tournament,
Forgetful of his glory and his name,
Forgetful of his princedom and its cares—
And this forget fulness was hateful to them.

And by-and-by the people, when they met
In twos and threes, or fuller companies,
Began to feoff and jeer and babble of him
As of a prince whose manhood was all gone
And molten down in mere vain-gloriousness.

Though his friends, like Enid, may not care to tell him "out of bashful delicacy;" many others will do so by means of the ballot-box.

Othello, Mr Murray, M.H.R., and Captain Russell, have each had a special occupation.

Othello told us long ago that his was gone Mr Murray's Drainage Bill has become an Act, and he tells us his occupation is gone, and he is going to follow Othello. Captain Russell's mission is the establishment of [unclear: a] post between New Zealand and England Year after year this stereotyped question, like the Drainage Bill, has cropped up, and year after year the Postmaster-General promises it his most careful consideration—and [unclear: Capt] Russell is happy. I hope he will not [unclear: achie] his object for many a long year, because it would be a pity if he went to join his two one-idea'd companions. The House would sadly miss his manly form and his pleasant cheery voice.

Captain Russell has, as the "Era" says of actors, many personal advantages. His [unclear: man] figure, his handsome face, win him friends everywhere. His manners are courteous, his style of speaking vigorous, robust, and attractive. His mind is well stored; he is capable of achieving a high position. With industry and attention to work, Captain Russell, [unclear: yet], may have a distinguished career before him; and especially is this probable should he, next session, work industriously, and in [unclear: unis] with his colleague.