History of Australia [Paperback]

A wide-ranging three-volume history of Australia, published in 1883 by an English-born civil servant who spent his career there.George William Rusden (18191903) was born in England but spent most of his life in Australia. When he retired from the civil service he wrote this comprehensive  and controversial  work, published in 1883 in three volumes, covering the period from the initial settlement to the late nineteenth century.George William Rusden (18191903) was born in England but spent most of his life in Australia. When he retired from the civil service he wrote this comprehensive  and controversial  work, published in 1883 in three volumes, covering the period from the initial settlement to the late nineteenth century.When George William Rusden (18191903) was fourteen, his family emigrated from England to Australia, where he later became a prominent educationalist and civil servant. Already an author of numerous books and pamphlets, he began work on his History of Australia after his retirement, and it was published in 1883 in three volumes. Although the work is considered sympathetic to the Aboriginal people of Australia, it is also infused with Rusden's Tory politics, infuriating his critics  one wrote that the volumes were 'as untrustworthy as a partisan pamphlet well can be without deliberate dishonesty'. Despite initial criticism, these wide-ranging volumes form an important early contribution to the writing of Australian history. Volume 3 is mainly devoted to political matters, especially the Constitution Act of 1856 and the relationship between the colony and Britain. Rusden also gives a brief sketch of the governors who took office from this period onwards.15. General condition of Australia and statistics; 16. Further alterations of constitutions; 17. Exploration and aborigines; 18. Powers of houses of parliament  intercameral differences  attack on the council in Sydney  tacks in Victoria  Sir C. Darling; 19. Payment of members  colonial delcM