# Notable South Australians/Charles Stocker Morris

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Charles Stocker Morris.
THIS well-known littérateur, whose contributions to the South Australian press under the nom-de-plume of "Dick Jervois" and other appellations are familiar to many, is a native of this colony, and was born near Auburn, Sept. 11, 1851. His parents died when he was very young, and he was brought up by his grandfather, a pioneer colonist, who initiated him into the art and mystery of farming, had him educated at the Commercial School, Queenstown, and then apprenticed him for six years to Messrs. Barrow & King, of the S. A. Advertiser, During this period he made the best use of his spare time, and took every opportunity in reading up and making himself familiar with current literature and Pitman's Phonography. He occasionally wrote miscellaneous letters and poetic effusions for the press, and at the expiration of his apprenticeship left the Advertiser to occupy the position of book-keeper in a leading drapery firm, but finding the continued confinement injurious to his health, he applied for and received the appointment of commercial traveller for a wholesale fancy goods house, remaining for some time in that capacity. He next transferred his services from the fancy line to the more common-place one of 9 x 3 deals and stringybark, at Messrs. Lake & Reynolds, timber merchants, of Port Adelaide, but severed his connection with their firm to start a printing business. In conjunction with a practical printer, Mr. Morris established and edited a weekly journal ​(the Port Adelaide Post), which during its short but brilliant career was well spoken of by the contemporary press of the day. Quitting this sphere of labour he endeavoured to form a company to bring out a penny morning paper; but for want of encouragement the project was abandoned. Like most men who have devoted their energies to literature, Mr. Morris has had a most chequered career; but he has nevertheless maintained a prominent position in the commercial world. He has contributed largely to colonial press literature, and the best of his efforts are the tales "Under False Colors," and "Marie," and the sketches, "Rambles," "Notes on South Australia," "Adelaide Opinion," and others more or less of a racy and readable character. Mr. Morris's poetic efforts evidently run in the comic vein, and in this he seems to excel; in fact, he appears most to advantage in writing up abuses, and satirising the follies and failings of the "unco' guid." We have, however, read far worse pathetic poetry than his from poets who have been extolled in this particular. In 1883, in conjunction with Messrs. Hayter & Barry, Mr. Morris compiled and published "The Commercial and Trades Directory," which commanded a ready sale, and attracted favorable attention from the metropolitan and provincial press. For the past three years he has been connected with the Mutual Life Association of Australasia, as their special agent, in which capacity he has been very successful. Mr. Morris's experience, literary or otherwise, has been gained by keen observation of men and things during his journeyings over the greater part of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia.