Items related to Moondyne: A Story of Convict Life in Australia (Classic...
Synopsis
Excerpt from Moondyne: A Story of Convict Life in Australia
Western Australia is a vast and unknown country, almost mysterious in its solitude and unlikeness to any other part of the earth. It is the greatest of the Australias in extent, and in many features the richest and loveliest.
But the sister colonies of Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland are famous for their treasure of gold. Men from all lands have flocked thither to gather riches. They care not for the slow labour of the farmer or grazier. Let the weak and the old, the coward and the dreamer, prune the vine and dry the figs, and wait for the wheat to ripen. Strong men must go to the trial - must set muscle against muscle, and brain against brain in the mine and the market.
Men's lives are short; and unless they gather gold in the mass, how shall they wipe out the primal curse of poverty before the hand loses its skill and the heart its strong desire?
Western Australia is the Cinderella of the South. She has no gold like her sisters. To her was given the servile and unhappy portion. The dregs of British society were poured upon her soil. The robber and the manslayer were sent thither. Her territory was marked off with a Red Line. She has no markets for honest men, and no ports for honest ships. Her laws are not the laws of other countries, but the terrible rules of the menagerie. Her citizens have no rights: they toil their lives out at heavy tasks, but earn no wages, nor own a vestige of right in the soil they till. It is a land of slaves and bondmen - the great Penal Colony of Great Britain.
"There is no gold in the Western Colony," said the miners contemptuously; "let the convicts keep the land - but let them observe our Red Line."
So the convicts took the defamed country, and lived and died there, and others were transported there from England to replace those who died, and every year the seething ships gave up their addition to the terrible population…
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Buy New
View this item
US$ 18.84
FREE shipping from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speedsOther Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for Moondyne: A Story of Convict Life in Australia (Classic...
Seller Image
Moondyne: A Story of Convict Life in Australia (Classic Reprint)
Print on DemandSeller: Forgotten Books, London, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: New. Print on Demand. This book transports readers to the harsh and unforgiving landscape of Western Australia in the 19th century, a land marked by a "Red Line" that signifies its status as a penal colony. The story unfolds against the backdrop of a fascinating historical event: the widespread belief among the convict population that vast gold deposits exist in the colony, despite the lack of any official discoveries. The author paints a vivid portrait of convict life, highlighting the brutal realities of the penal system and the daily struggles of the prisoners. We meet Moondyne Joe, a powerful and enigmatic figure who embodies the resilience and resourcefulness of the convicts. He becomes a symbol of hope and defiance against the injustices they face, and his actions spark a dangerous clash with the corrupt authorities. The book explores themes of justice, freedom, and the complexities of human nature in a world where the boundaries between right and wrong are constantly blurred. Through Moondyne's journey, we witness the struggle for survival, the search for redemption, and the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity. This gripping narrative offers a compelling look into the dark underbelly of colonial Australia and the enduring human desire for freedom. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book. print-on-demand item. Seller Inventory # 9781330429716_0
Quantity: Over 20 available
Stock Image
Moondyne
Seller: PBShop.store US, Wood Dale, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # LW-9781330429716
Quantity: 15 available
Stock Image
Moondyne
Seller: PBShop.store UK, Fairford, GLOS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # LW-9781330429716
Quantity: 15 available
Stock Image
Moondyne: A Story of Convict Life in Australia (Classic Reprint)
Print on DemandSeller: Revaluation Books, Exeter, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Brand New. 134 pages. 9.00x6.00x0.31 inches. This item is printed on demand. Seller Inventory # zk1330429710
Quantity: 1 available