Page:The Cyclopedia of India (Specimen Issue).pdf/16

 THE RIGHT I ION. ARTHUR OLIVER YILLIKRS, BARON AMPTHILL. G.C.S.I, G.C.I.K.. Hx-Govemor of Madras.

THE Family of THE RIGHT HON. ARTHUR OLIVER VILLIERS, BARON AMPTHILL, may be tra¬ced back to the followers of William the Conqueror, and in succeeding ages they produced many men of distinguished influence, including William Lord Russell, Lord John Russell (whose name is indissolubly associat¬ed with the famous Reform Bill), and Lord Odo Russell, His Excellency’s father. The Russclls have served their country*, with credit, in the State, in diplomacy and in the Army and Navy, and the subject of this short memoir has al¬ready given evidence o! abilities which should lead to even higher distinction. Bom at Rome in i860, his schooling began at Eton, where he showed an aptitude for study, winning the Prince Consort’s prize for French and German; he was also elected president of the School Debating Society, and was captain of the Boats for two years—an unusual distinction. He carried his taste for Iwoks and athletics to Oxford, where he lowed for three years in the “’Varsity Eight,” and was president of the Union Debating Society, a much coveted honour, as this society has been the cradle of many of the best English public speakers. To have been at the same time president of the University Boat Club and of the Union is an honour which has only fallen to Lord AmpthilL In 1893 he became Private Secretary to .Mr. Chamberlain, Secretary of btate for the Colonies, which post he held until called to Madras in September 1900. In these five years some of the rnosi important occur¬rences in modern British history took place, includ¬ing the Boer War, Australian Federation, the Venezuelan Crisis and the Jameson Raid. All these furnished a variety of political circumstances that are rarely compressed into so short a period, and these events alone furnished a training of no mean order. In 1898 His Lordship attended the International Conference on the Sugar Question at Brussels as British Delegate.

On his arrival in India Lord Ampthill had already formed habits of systematic and strenuous work which prompted him to take a very thorough interest in his new duties; this, along with his knowledge of official administration, enabled him to dispose satisfactorily and completely of an exceptional amount of work. The habit ol thoroughness lias done more than this: it gained him the confidence of the people, who learned to look on him as a benevolent friend rather than an official adversary. His intercourse with the people extended far beyond his official duties, ren¬dering him a much sought for and honoured guest at every important social assembly. Of sports ol all kinds he is an ardent and accomplished patron. Honorary Colonel of the Madras Volunteers, he fulfils his duties like a man who enjoys them, and as a leading figure in the Madras and Ooty Hunts he has done much to enlarge their membership. Cricket clubs and athletic associations find him a generous supporter, and his hospitality is impartially extend¬ed to every class—from the titled world traveller to school children. His Excellency is n Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Provincial Grand Master of Freemasons for Bedfordshire, and Deputy Grand Master for Madras.

It is not surprising that so popular and able a man should have been chosen to replace the Viceroy during the temporary absence of Lord Curzon in Fngland. This distinction has fallen only twice to the Governors of Madras,—to Sir William L'enison in 1863 anil to Lord Napier in 1872.