The History of Tasmania , Volume II
Public-domain ebook
The History of Tasmania , Volume II
by John West
Language: en9,436 downloads on Project Gutenberg
Subjects
Public-domain ebook sourced from Project Gutenberg #22849.
About this book
The History of Tasmania, Volume II, by John West is a nineteenth‑century historical narrative that concentrates on the turbulent early colonial period, especially the interactions between European authorities and the island’s Aboriginal peoples. The opening passages plunge the reader into a detailed account of the penal system, the role of officials such as Dudley Fereday and the sheriff, and the controversial policies of conciliation championed by Mr Robinson on Bruny Island. West weaves together official reports, personal observations, and vivid descriptions of negotiations, captures, and the harsh realities of frontier violence, presenting a layered picture of governance, missionary effort, and the tragic consequences for the native tribes.
West’s voice is that of a meticulous chronicler, employing a formal, descriptive style characteristic of mid‑1800s British historiography. The prose is dense with period terminology and extensive quotation of official documents, reflecting the scholarly conventions of its time. Readers with an interest in colonial Australian history, early‑modern anthropology, or the moral complexities of empire will find the work rewarding, while those preferring brisk, fictionalized accounts may find its exhaustive detail demanding.
Who appears in The History of Tasmania , Volume II
- Dudley FeredayMiddle‑aged British officer, dark hair, trimmed moustache, navy coat with gold epaulettes, stern expression
- Mr. RobinsonGentle‑featured missionary, light beard, brown waistcoat, cravat, holding a ledger, thoughtful gaze
Opening lines
Dudley Fereday, had before dismissed that portion which guarded the gaol: he affected to believe that the prisoners were not safe. There was small chance of escaping, so observed the newspapers, while the civilians were on guard—the prisoners themselves had given up all hope! But the sheriff thought otherwise, or more probably availed himself of his office, to cast into the dirt the honors of the civic guard; who had observed the forms of military discipline, and who merited a more distinguished termination to their service. SECTION VII While the hostile proceeding was in progress, the future preserver of the natives, Mr. Robinson, had already given his thoughts to their conciliation. In 1829, he was appointed to take charge of Bruné Island, where twelve natives, captured, were located, and mixed with others who had attained a partial civilisation. Mr. …
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