Summary

Book entitled 'Life's Work As It Is; or, The Emigrant's Home in Australia. By A Colonist', written by Emma Etta Neville, and published by Sampson Low, Son & Marston, London, 1867. Emma Etta Neville appears to have lived in South Australia for several years and her stated aim is to dispel the myths about Australia and present it as a settled, civilised country, vast and full of working people and opportunities.

The novel follows the concurrent emigrant stories of various people, from their decisions to leave England, departure, journey, arrival and their settlement, which takes up the majority of the novel. The final chapter and Appendix looks at 'Practical Hints to Emigrants' and information about facilities, wages and immigration regulations. Emma later published another Australian novel 'Colymbia' in London in 1873.

Physical Description

Wood engraved frontispiece, original cloth, lettered and deocrated in black and gilt. All edges gilt.

Significance

Numerous guides and novels relating to migrating to Australia and the settler experiences there were written during the 19th century. They are often from the perspective of one who has already made the journey and lived in Australia, aiming to provide knowledge for the prospective emigrant back in England. Some were purely novels, others purely guides. This book is both.

The vendor has been able to identify the otherwise anonymous author through having handled another copy of this book which was inscribed 'with the love of the authoress Etta Neville'.

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