DR. CARR’S LECTURE ON THE PUBLIC MEN OF NAPIER.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 293, 28 July 1875, Page 2

DR. CARR’S LECTURE ON THE PUBLIC MEN OF NAPIER.

(From the Daily Telegraph). Gbeat men, like great pictures, look better at a distance, no matter how exquisite the work of art, or illustrious the artist. Close inspection discovers them to be less perfect than they look, Great men like great mountains, are not easily guaged. You can measure them relatively than absolutely. Who presumes to measure Swedenborg, Shakespeare, or Newton? Some men you can measure with almost mathematical precision; their world of force is circuinscribable; their thought, action, feeling, and ambition can be defined. H. R. Russell, the mystic, you cannot measure nor plumb; he is beyond you, however much you grasp him. In the strength of his character of purpose and principle, a strange naan this, who does and dares, fearless of ridicule, of high moral development, indifferent to applause, charmed with hostility,; and the friend of oppressed Maoris. In his own sphere he is noble, earnest, sincere, content not to be understood, and to take a refined pleasure in crushing the toes of pigmies whenever he moves; his nature is cruel rather than kind, just than obliging ; his backbone is made of steel, his heart of granite, with more than one generous spot in it; he loves notoriety rather than fame. Firmness, conceit, destructiveness, combativcness, and concentrativeness give him courage, audacity, perseverance, and savage dignity. No sentiment here; no compassionativeness; nothing soft. Henry Russell like a giant in his own palace ; a vigorous mind, a well-balanced brain, with powers of resentment which he wields like the thunderbolts of Jupiter, straight in direction, deadly and cruel in their effects: fitter for war than peace, there is in him the heroic. Look at him from a higher standpoint, and the man is almost great — would have been had he farmed thought instead of wool. Russell is at once the greatest settler in Napier or New Zealand, and the greatest cynic. Diogenes must not be trifled with. Ormond is measureable; an able man, free from the eccentric and remarkable. His brain developments, are, determined energy, resoluteness, selfesteem, pride of power, and excellent capacity to combine and command; no dreamy speculator this; the keen politician rather than the wise statesman ; economical with a vengeance ; a “ penny wise and pound foolish ;” with the least money he will get the greatest amount of work. Thin skinned, pained by sarcasm: acutely sensitive to ridicule ; but brave in his endurance, and courageous in’ his opposition; he works for principles, not appearances ; his work must be done nis way, not yours: and were you, in your collective wisdom, wise as Solon, he would repudiate your counsel. When sitting in the senate, under political castigation, how he winces, the facial muscles twitch, the eyes roll in restless impatience ; like the illustrious Chatham, face and fingers are in ceaseless play, expressive of the agitation unutterable that disturbs his soul; but, when he gets his say, it is well said- His weaknesses are, that his brain wants anterior breadth, and his mind liberality. Ormond is a prodigious worker, and an enthusiast; his retrenchment has won in the end ; let him be proud of his achievement in the unparalleled prosperity of his province. In six years this city has doubled, and its people display vigor, enterprise, and intelligence beyond average. 'Swan! Everybody knows Swan—his large paunch, happy face, selfsatisfied air, and quiet indolence, lethargic, impassive. Hold out a fiver or a five-and-twenty, to act as a probe, he would like it, but you must give him his own pace. Swan does not think; he acts. All is

phlegmatic, hopeful, and joyous; a man of enterprise, who does not trouble to make enemies, and has many friends. Brewer and Councillor, he prefers a glass of his own ale to politics ; full of fun. There’s honor find kindness in that head, gentleness and humanity ; if not intellect, there is ability and self-reliance. • Scully (Inspector) is brave as a lion, and .persistent as a bloodhound : however inimical tb his private interests, or painful to- his feelings, loves, and affections, he will do his duty, nor swerve, however imminent the danger. He is not a time-server; he is honest. In the whole architecture of his brain you will not discover a line of poetry, sentiment, or art. Love of approbation (love of approval) you will discover: this inspires him to do many a kindly act. Fannin, pronounced an “oddity,” is a compact parcel of significant eccentricities ; brain eccentric in form,, and mind in manifestations ; a for rapidity of utterance, exclamations, suppressed undeveloped speeches, and for visiting photographic institutions, that his soul may become absorbed in the spiritual of pure art, effervescent. If we can limit his capacity for doing good, he will never do much evil. After all it is a gentle nature. Ormond eannot get a better man, for he is' in awe of his imperious lord, and can do the work he wants, and do it well. This is a small scene : — Superintendent: “Fannin, bring me that paper of Bibler’s.” Fannin : “Yes sir.” Fannin darts out to encounter Motley, the messenger, in the adjoining room. Fannin: “ Motley, where’s Bibler’s paper?” Motley : “Don’t know, sir.” Fannin, like magic, assumes an attitude worthy of Othello, smiteA his forehead with his right hand, ponders a second and a half, and exclainuug with a dramatic gusto worthy of Swan. “ I’ve got it.” Dashes into a wilderness of documents, exhumes one, aud flashes before the worthy Superintendent like an apparition.