which he regarded as a means of instructing the public. When he was only
twenty years of age he was editor of "The Star," a local newspaper. In
London he adopted authorship as a profession. In 1849, he was appointed
Professor of English Literature and History at the Queen's College,
Belfast, and later on, although he still resided at Belfast, he became
examiner for the Indian Civil Service. All his literary work is
distinguished by careful research. Perhaps his best effort is
represented by "The Pursuit of Knowledge Under Difficulties," published
in the same year as "The New Zealanders." With a colleague he edited
"The Pictorial History of England," in four volumes. Amongst his other
works are "A Romance of the Peerage," "Spencer and his Poetry," "A
History of Commerce," "The English of Shakespeare," and "Bacon, his
Writings and Philosophy." He had a flowing and cultured style, and he
embellished his work with many references to the classics. He was one of
the best read men of his time. His extensive reading and the simplicity
of his style made him a very welcome contributor to the "Penny
Magazine," the "Penny Cyclopædia," and other popular publications. He
had a paralytic stroke while lecturing in Belfast in February, 1866,
and he died in June of the same year. It is said of him that he was
popular with students and welcome in society.

It is not known if Craik met Rutherford. He probably did not. He may
have had "The New Zealanders" partly written when the manuscript
describing Rutherford's adventures was placed in his hands. In that
case, he wove it into his book, using it as a means of illustrating his
remarks on the Maoris' customs. His work bears the stamp of honesty and
industrious care. He collected all the information dealing with New
Zealand available at the time, and he produced a fairly large book,
which, for many years after it was published, must have been a valuable
contribution to the public's store of "entertaining knowledge."