Ebook Letters From Victorian Pioneers

These documents, Mr. Graham, in the judicious exercise of his discretion, in due course presented to this institution, and they are now, by direction of the Trustees, given to the public in the present volume.

The letters record events which will recall to many persons still living old Victorian memories, and will have a great value for the future historian of Victoria, as narrating the experiences of actual movers in the early scenes of our colonization, while they will also possess interest as incidental contributions to the biographies of the men who half a century ago began to encounter the hardships and perils which beset the pioneer in every part of this continent. These papers also contain interesting contributions to our knowledge of the aborigines - their languages, customs, and conflicts with the white men; and although some of the incidents narrated have found their way into print before, they are now for the first time given in their entirety to the public. It cannot be claimed for these papers that they are infallible records of our early history in every point, but they do contain the first impressions of those who had ample opportunities of learning at the fountain head what could be learnt amid the hardships of early colonial days.

The short paper contributed by Mrs. F. A. Davenport, of Hobart, was presented to the Trustees on the 21st May 1884, and will not be uninteresting as coming from the pen of a lady who had special facilities for studying the aboriginal language so far back as 1842.

T. F. Bride, Librarian.