AN EVENTFUL CAREER.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 42, 9 June 1876, Page 2

AN EVENTFUL CAREER.

Marcus Clark, in his preface to a newly-, published book of poems by the late A. Lj Gordon, briefly sketches the author's career, which was not uneventful : —Adaffli Lindsay Gordon was the son of an officer in the English army, and was educated af Woolwich, in order that lie might follow the profession of his family. At the tintf when he was a cadet there was no sign o! either of the two great wars which weft] about to call forth the strength <*' the English arms, and like other met of his day, he quitted his prospect of service and emigrated. He werf to South Australia, and started as a slieef farmer. His efforts were attended witi failure. He lost his capital, and owning nothing but a love for horsemanship andl head full of Browning and Shelleji plunged into the varied life which goldmining, " overlanding," and cattle-drivin! affords. From this experience he emerge! to light in Melbourne as the best amateW steeplechase rider in the Colonies. Ti' victory he won for Major Baker in 18$ (1868 0, when he rode Babbler f« the Cup Steeplechase, made him pop* lar, and the almost simultaneous piA lication of his last volume of poem* gave him welcome entrance to tbf houses of all who had pretensions * literary taste. The reputation of the booi spread to England, and Major Why* Melville did not disdain to place the line of the dashing Australian author at tl head of his own dashing descriptions ( sporting scenery. Unhappily the melai choly which Gordon's, friends had wit pain observed, increased U flood of his success, with pouring upon him from every si&*S|iie found in the heather near his ESSe with bullet from his own rifle in his brain. £