The First Royal Tour 1867-1868 by Brian McKinlay

Book Description

Secondhand. Very good condition. Minor wear to book corners and edges. Dust jacket has light creasing at edges and spine, now enclosed in protective covering. Fading at spine. Interior and binding are still excellent.

In July 1867, the Australian colonies were electrified by the news that royalty would visit. Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, second son of Queen Victoria and commander of HMS Galatea, was en route from Europe. He landed in South Australia on a blazing November day, and he was welcomed with an exuberant Colonial loyalty.

During his visits to South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, and Queensland, the Prince was swept along on a tide of frenzied enthusiasm. Each State tried to outdo the others in the splendour of its receptions and the garishness of its decorations.

In Melbourne, a Free Banquet in honour of the Prince turned into a drunken fiasco. On the goldfields, he lunched down a mine and "helped himself rather liberally from a selection of nuggets. He was cheered by convicts in Tasmania, wrangled over by Queensland politicians and bombarded with bouquets, Declarations of Loyalty, and innumerable speeches. Surrounded by city fathers, Bishops, brass bands, fireworks and uproarious multitudes, he went from one triumph to another.

Finally, he was shot in Sydney, and his recovery was accompanied by even more passionate demonstrations of loyalty. These were inflamed by revulsion against the would-be assassin, who was hurried to the gallows as the Prince sailed for home. His departure closed a colourful chapter in Australian history, of which the author writes with humour and gusto. (book flap)