Land, Labour, And Gold, or, Two Years In Victoria: With Visits To Sydney And Van Diemen's Land
By William Howitt
Complete 2 Volume Set
Published by Longman, Brown, Green And Longmans: London 1855 1st
Edition
"Land, Labour, and Gold: Or, Two Years in Victoria with Visits to Sydney and Van Diemen's Land (1855) by William Howitt is a vivid, firsthand account of colonial Australia during the height of the gold rush. In 1852, Howitt, already a prolific English author, journeyed to Victoria with two of his sons to experience the goldfields firsthand. Though he found limited success as a prospector, his observations offer rich detail on the social, economic, and environmental upheavals of the era. He describes the rapid transformation of Melbourne, the hardships of life on the diggings at Bendigo, and the miners' protests against high government license fees. His narrative captures the optimism, chaos, and inequities of a society in flux.
Beyond the goldfields, Howitt's work delves into broader colonial life. He recounts his travels to Sydney and Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania), offering insights into settler communities, Indigenous peoples, and the natural landscape. His commentary is both descriptive and critical, reflecting on the moral and social consequences of colonization and rapid wealth-seeking. The book stands as a valuable historical document, blending travelogue, social critique, and ethnographic observation, providing a comprehensive portrait of mid-19th-century Australia."
Light wear to original leather bindings with a few bumps as shown. Outer hinges are split however covers are firm and secure. There are no loose pages. Carries a library stamp (Kelso 1757 Library) on both title pages books otherwise unmarked. Pages are clean with pleasant age toning, occasional light spotting and are very well presented. All pages are present and the books are complete in 413 & 397 pages respectively. A desirable 2 volume set in very good condition overall. Please study photos to further understand condition.
Size 19.5cm x 13cm x 3cm (x 2 volumes)
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Volume 1 has 413 Pages
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Volume 2 has 397 Pages
