264 BACKHOUSE, James A Narrative of a Visit to the Australian Colonies. [Hamilton, Adams and Co., London, 1843] Octavo, xviii, 560pp, cxliv (appendices) pages with in-text woodcut illustrations (by Backhouse) plates and 3 large folding maps loosely held in pockets. Contemporary half-leather and marbled boards; marbled end-papers, gilt edges. James Backhouse (1794-1869), naturalist & Quaker missionary, travelled throughout Australia with George Washington Walker. ‘From their arrival at Hobart Town in 1832 until their departure from Fremantle in 1838, they visited from house to house in most of the scattered Australian settlements and found much demand for their services. During their three years in Van Diemen’s Land (1832-34) Lieutenant-Governor Arthur found many useful tasks for them. His ready co-operation and disregard of red tape contrasted with that of the naval authorities in London who had refused their proffered services in a Sydney-bound convict transport because they lacked official status. In later voyages in convict ships in Australian waters Backhouse’s medical knowledge helped the sick and wounded. Arthur granted the missionaries free access to all penal and Aboriginal establishments, encouraged their investigations and urged them to suggest improvements. They gave Arthur eight valuable reports on the penal settlements of Macquarie Harbour and Port Arthur, the Aboriginal establishment on Flinders Island, the conditions of road-gangs, chain-gangs, assigned servants and their masters, and the Van Diemen’s Land Co., with the result that some newspapers labelled them government spies. In New South Wales and its dependencies Governor Sir Richard Bourke encouraged similar work in 1835-37 , and in three reports to him they described the penal settlements of Norfolk Island, Moreton Bay and Port Macquarie, and the Aboriginal station in Wellington Valley’ (‘Australian Dictionary of Biography’). $500–750 ❖ 265 STOKES, J. Lort DISCOVERIES IN AUSTRALIA; with an Account of the Coasts and Rivers Explored and Surveyed during the Voyage of H.M.S. BEAGLE, in the Years 1837-38-39-40-41-42-43. [T & W Boone, London, 1846] Hardcover. First Edition. In two volumes. xii, 521pp; viii, 543pp. Ex Library set with most maps non-original, one plate non-original, foxing an other faults. A good "user" copy. The third surveying voyage of the BEAGLE, during which the North-West and Western Coasts of Australia, also Bass Strait, Port Essington, the Gulf of Carpentaria and Torres Strait, etc., were surveyed. Stokes was Lieutenant under Commander Wickham, but succeeded to the command when Wickham was invalided home. Sir George (then Lieutenant) Grey came out from Plymouth with the expedition, and he and his party were landed at Hanover Bay, W.A., to commence his first Western Australian expedition. $500–750 ❖ 266 LEICHHARDT, Dr. F .W. Journal Of An Overland Expedition in Australia, from Moreton Bay to Port Essington, a distance of upwards of 3000 miles, during the years 1844- 1845. [T. & W. Boone; London; 1847] First edition, large 8vo, 544pp; engraved plates including one folding. Pale (removed) library stamp on title page only. This expedition had accomplished its main purpose of finding a Route from the East to the North Coast and travelled through completely unknown country in 14 months. By the time they arrived in Port Essington Leichhardt was welcomed as a national hero as it was believed that they had perished and expeditions had been sent out in search of them. This exploratory journey was one of the longest inland expeditions undertaken. $1,000–1,500 267 SHERER, John Adventures Of A Gold-Digger. [Charles H. Clarke, London, 1853] First Edition; 8vo; pp. xii, 372; 42 b/w illustrations. Rebound, half-calf and marbled boards; raised bands to spine with gilt title. $150–250 ❖ 268 Reminiscences of General Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane [Edinburgh - Thomas Constable, 1860]; 128pp Printed for private circulation. With an engraved frontispiece and three plates. In red cloth binding with gilt stamping to the front board. Heavy spotting to the first and last few pages and plates. With Henry L. White bookplate to front pastedown. Thomas Brisbane was a British Army officer, administrator and astronomer. He served alongside the Duke of Wellington, who suggested he be appointed governor of New South Wales. Brisbane saw much action during the Peninsular War and was a brigade commander in the War of 1812. $400–500 ❖ 269 MACDONALD, J.G. Journal of J.G. Macdonald on an Expedition from Port Denison to the Gulf of Carpentaria and back. [George Slater; Brisbane, 1865] Small 8vo. Leter calf; gilt. (2 iv 60pp.). With engrv. portrait and large fold. engrv. map at front; ERRATUM slip bound-in at end. Ex-library stamps throughout. Bookplate of Lionel A.Gilbert on front end paper. Macdonald undertook the expedition as well as the publication of his journal at his own expense. It was a result of his explorations that opened up Cape York to subsequent settlement. $1,500–2,000 ❖ 261 259 39