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of a Mr Somerville, whose interest in politics and stanch adherence to 
his party may be said also to have been inherited by his descendant. 
After receiving education at several schools in Edinburgh Mr Russel 
was apprenticed to the printing trade with Mr John Johnstone, a 
gentleman well known in connection with literature as an editor 
and author still more than as a printer. To young Russel the 
acquaintance and society of this gentleman and his gifted and 
accomplished wife were of great advantage. They soon discovered 
his abilities, and they did much to foster his taste for literature as 
well as to direct his studies. By them he was encouraged to the 
use of his pen in composition, and several of his early essays were 
introduced by Mrs Johnstone into “ Tait’s Magazine,” of which 
she was at that time the editor. From the outset, however, his 
bent was to politics rather than to literature ; and having been at 
an unusually early age appointed editor of the “ Berwick Adver- 
tiser,” he was enabled thenceforward to devote himself to a career 
to which his tastes inclined him, and for which he was by natural 
abilities and acquired facilities and resources peculiarly fitted. 
After some years he exchanged the editorship of the “Advertiser” 
for that of the “ Fife Herald,” which post he continued to hold 
till towards the close of 1844. By this time his reputation as an 
able writer and skilful editor was established ; and in 1845 he, 
after a connection of short duration with a paper in Kilmarnock, 
was invited to become the colleague of the late Mr Maclaren as 
editor of the “ Scotsman,” then, as it is still, the leading political 
journal in Scotland. In connection with Mr Maclaren he con- 
tinued to edit this journal, taking upon him almost the entire 
management, until 1849, when Mr Maclaren retired, and Mr 
Russel became sole editor. In this position he remained up to 
the time of his death, though latterly, through failing health, 
he Was obliged to devolve upon others much of that work which 
for many years he had with Herculean vigour done alone. 
The “ Scotsman ” newspaper is, as is well known, the recognised 
principal organ of the Whig party in Scotland ; and for the advocacy 
and diffusion of the principles held by that party it was designed. 
Of that party Mr Russel was a stanch adherent, of its principles 
he was the bold, uncompromising, and consistent advocate, and its 
interests he zealously laboured to advance. The services he ren- 
