Old Melbourne Memories
Jul 2020 · Otbebookpublishing
Ebook
174
Pages
family_home
Eligible
info
reportRatings and reviews aren’t verified Learn More
About this ebook
Excerpt: "Standing in the gathering winterly twilight, at the intersection of Elizabeth and Flinders Streets, one instinctively remarks the long crowded suburban trains, laden with homeward-bound passengers, quitting the city and care for the night's charmed interval. All the streets of busy Melbourne are yet thronged, in spite of the apparently rapid diminution which is proceeding. The indefinable hum, noticeable in large urban populations at the close of the day, as the lamps are lit, which mark for most men the boundary between work and recreation, is increasingly audible. The grand outlines of the larger public buildings become suggestively indistinct. If your ear be good, you may hear the steam-whistle and the roar of the country trains at Spencer Street Station. The senses of the musing spectator are filled to saturation with the sights and sounds proper to the largest, the most highly civilised, the most prosperous city in the world, for the years of its existence. Stranger than fiction[Pg 2] does it not seem, that in the month of April, in the year of grace 1840, we should have migrated en famille from Sydney to assist in the colonisation of Port Phillip, in the founding of this city of Melbourne? The moderate-sized schooner which carried us safely hither in a few hours under a week had been chartered by Paterfamilias, so that we were unrestricted as to many matters not usually left to the discretion of passengers. It was a floating home. Colonists of ten years' standing, we had many things to bear with us, which under other circumstances of transit must have been left behind. There were carriage horses and cows, the boys' ponies, the children's canaries, poultry, and pigeons, dogs and cats, babies and nurses, furniture, flower-pots, workmen, house servants—all the component portions of a large household shifted bodily from a suburban home, and ready to be transferred to the first suitable dwelling in the new settlement."
About the author
Rolf Boldrewood, the pen name of Thomas Alexander Browne (1826-1915), was an Australian author whose vivid portrayals of colonial life and pioneering spirit have left an indelible mark on Australian literature. Born in London, Browne emigrated to Australia with his family at a young age, where he would later draw upon his experiences as a squatter, gold commissioner, and police magistrate to infuse his narratives with authenticity and adventure.Boldrewood's literary career began relatively late in life, but his works quickly garnered attention for their dynamic storytelling and rich depictions of the Australian outback. His most famous novel, "Robbery Under Arms," remains a classic, celebrated for its thrilling tale of bushrangers and its exploration of themes such as lawlessness, morality, and redemption.A man of many talents, Boldrewood also contributed to the cultural and social discourse of his time, often reflecting on the rapid changes and challenges facing the young Australian colonies. His writings offer a window into the complexities of colonial society, touching on issues such as justice, class, and the harsh realities of frontier life.Despite his popularity, Boldrewood was not without controversy. His romanticized portrayals of bushrangers and colonial life sometimes drew criticism for glossing over the darker aspects of Australia's history, including the treatment of Indigenous peoples. Nonetheless, his influence on contemporary writers and his role in shaping the Australian literary canon cannot be overstated.Boldrewood's legacy endures, offering modern readers a captivating glimpse into the rugged and often tumultuous world of 19th-century Australia, while also prompting reflection on the narratives that have shaped national identity.
Rate this ebook
Tell us what you think.
Reading information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.
