A Voyage to Australia: A Diary Written by A J W van Delden in 1866 While on a Mission to Establish a Steam-Ship Line Between Java and Australia translated into English by Dorine Tolley

Book Description

Secondhand. Good condition. Ex library copy with external stickers removed. Date due slips on inside front cover and half-title page. General wear to book corners and edges. Very faint red mark on front cover. Body text and binding are still very good.

In 1866, Ambrosius van Delden, a Dutch colonial resident of Java, undertook a journey to Australia. He was on a mission to negotiate the grant of a subsidy for establishing a regular steamship line between Java and Australia with the governments of the Australian Colonies.

During his six-month visit to four Australian Colonies, he kept a diary that has survived. Van Delden met with a broad spectrum of society and was invited into many people's homes and official government residences.

He recorded the most minor details of nature, social customs, trade and industry, and in passing, commented on the turbulent political issues of the time. (back cover)