Land, Labour, and Gold
Two Years in Victoria: with Visits to Sydney and Van Diemen's Land

This 1855 publication describes Howitt's colourful experiences in Melbourne and the goldfields during the 1850s Australian gold rush.

William Howitt (Author)

9781108025713, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 17 February 2011

414 pages
21.6 x 2.3 x 14 cm, 0.52 kg

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.

23. Triumph of the diggers on the license question
24. Murderous adventures of two convicts
25. Tomming out White Hill Stuff
26. Project another visit to the Ovens country
27. On our journey
28. Beautiful birds and flowers
29. Thermometer at 139 degrees
30. Better class of diggers
31. At our old creek
32. Sluicing
33. Bendigo races
34. Forest Creek
35. Serious thoughts inspired by extent of gold-field already exhausted
36. Journey to Ballarat
37. The great basin of Ballarat
38. Journey through a rich country
39. Wonderful growth of Melbourne during one year's absence
40. Sydney
41. Van Diemen's Land
42. Journey to Hobart Town
XLIII. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Australasian & Pacific history [HBJM]