Burke Manuscript

Burke Manuscript: Page 068

Transcript

Mr William Robinson (Ready Money) of Cheviot, was in the middle fifties, soon after he arrived here from South Australia (and bought the grand run of Cheviot under the “unborn millions” champion, Sir G. Grey’s regulations) a man in his strong prime, of a shrewd resulote disposition, untouched by an own vine and fig tree romance; hard and shrewd at a bargain, a good judge of stock, of a despotic temper, and a habit of grinding his teeth and letting out musical improvisations. Those not used to him took him seriously. On the other hand men worked on the run for years, and took his outbursts as merely “letting off steam”.

Mr Robinson took a trip Home, went largely into racing, owning and leasing some well known horses, Eltham [erased] &c. He had a mansion in Park Lane. His friend, Johnny Oakden, of Lake Coleridge out here, always dressed like a gamekeeper and looked like one. He called upon his friend at Park Lane, but had forgotten his card case. He asked for R. when the gorgeous flunky swung open the door. “Mr R. is not at home, my man, and I may as well tell you, all the places are filled.” He took J.O. for a gamekeeper.