The History Of Van Diemen's Land - From The Year 1824 To 1835 Inclusive During The Administration Of Lieutenant-Governor George Arthur.
By Henry Melville
Published by Horwitz-Grahame: Sydney 1965 1st Edition
"The History of Van Diemen's Land by Henry Melville is one of the most compelling contemporary accounts of Tasmania during the turbulent administration of Lieutenant-Governor George Arthur, covering the crucial years from 1824 to 1835. Written by a journalist deeply embedded in colonial life—and himself no stranger to conflict with authority—Melville's work offers a vivid and often critical narrative of governance, justice, and society in a penal colony grappling with its identity. His perspective is shaped by firsthand experience and a strong sense of independence, lending the text both immediacy and conviction.
The book examines the structures and consequences of Arthur's rule, including the convict system, legal practices, and the broader mechanisms of colonial control. Melville does not shy away from controversy, addressing the treatment of convicts, the administration of justice, and the fraught relations between settlers and Aboriginal Tasmanians. His writing captures a period marked by tension, reform, and resistance, while also documenting the social and economic conditions of the colony as it evolved beyond its penal origins. The inclusion of illustrations and later scholarly commentary further enriches the historical context.
This 1965 Horwitz-Grahame first edition, edited with introduction and notes by George Mackaness, revives an important early colonial text for modern readers and collectors. As both a primary historical narrative and a critical reflection on authority and colonial life, it holds enduring significance for those interested in Tasmanian history, convict-era studies, and the complexities of early Australian settlement."
Light wear and staining to dust jacket. No inscriptions. Pages clean and unmarked. An excellent copy in very good condition overall. Please study photos to further understand condition.
