SECTION 6: Reminiscences and Diaries
As one digs deeper and deeper into Australian history, and especially manuscripts and rare books, there surfaces some extraordinary writings. Some are by established authors and many are simple folk, mostly eager and often disillusioned emigrants, who wanted to record their stories. As a folklorist I use this site as a 'sort of' filing system and this section offers a taste of jottings relevant to my particular interest in tradition. Some of the most interesting are from diaries and scrapbooks by bushmen and women. Letters to loved ones are also a fascinating insight into pioneer life.
A QUEENSLANDER'S TRAVEL NOTES
910.4/5
A G Stephens.
1894
Being Stephen's world trip to the World fair in Chicago, NY, London etc.
Toast:
appears on first page and is a variant of the known toast
To the west, to the west, to the land of the free
Where the mighty mosquito is loud in his glee.
He mentions being near Wallangarra Station and staying overnight in a shanty pub where he fell asleep to the sound of the Prince Imperial Polka.
IMPERIAL CAMP SONGS AND RECITATIONS
A821/S
W H Stephens � collected by
1914
Joke. The returned army man applied for a job as cook.
�Can you cook hash?� the boss enquired.
�Struth no�, said the soldier, �You don't make hash � it accumulates.�
EXTRACTS FROM HOLT'S MEMOIRS
Book: Mitchell library, Sydney
Flogging Of Maurice Fitzgerald
(on Holt's arrival)
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JAMES O'BRYAN, "THE INFORMER."
Jem Stag
Tune: The Bowspirit of Wapping
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