Land, Labour, and Gold: Two Years in Victoria: with Visits to Sydney and Van Diemen's Land (Cambridge Library Collection - History of Oceania) (Volume 2) - Softcover

Howitt, William

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1108025714 ISBN 13: 9781108025713

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2011

Synopsis

In 1852 William Howitt (1792-1879) set sail for Australia with two of his sons in order to try his luck in the goldfields of Victoria. By then he was already a prolifically published author of both prose and verse. He was only moderately successful as a gold-digger, but his account of life in the new colony, published in 1855 after his return to England, provides an extraordinary snapshot of the rapid early growth of Melbourne. Volume 2 considers the effects of the influx of a great number of immigrants and the continuing presence of convicts. Howitt also reflects on government policy and the draft constitution, and describes visits to Sydney and Tasmania. His colourful account includes descriptions of birds and flowers, extreme heat, and how to cope with flies.

About this title

Book Description:

In 1852, William Howitt arrived in Melbourne, the new and burgeoning capital of Victoria, and headed for the Australian goldfields. His lively description of the growing city, the huge numbers of prospectors and profiteers, and the hardships of travel and mining, was published in 1855 after his return to London.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1108025714
• ISBN 13: 9781108025713
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 414