By-ways on Service: Notes from an Australian Journal

The book’s structure is episodic, with each chapter dedicated to different facets of life in Australia, including the people Dinning encounters, the challenges of service (as suggested in the title), and the nature of the land itself. Dinning is especially focused on the contrasts between Australian culture and the more familiar European norms, highlighting the peculiarities and charms of the country. His writing is insightful, and he offers both admiration and criticism, addressing topics like British colonial influence, the treatment of Indigenous peoples, and the development of Australian society. By-ways on Service stands as an important example of late-19th-century travel writing. The book offers readers a window into the thoughts and observations of someone experiencing Australia’s development from a British perspective, just before the country’s emergence as a federated nation. Dinning’s personal narrative, rich with reflection and commentary, provides a valuable historical snapshot of the period and serves as a fascinating read for those interested in Australian history and the experiences of travelers in the colonial era.