19th-Century Australian Travel Writing
Thomas Cook Just's (1839-1900) emigrant guide Tasmaniana was reprinted from a special edition of the Cornwall Chronicle issued for the Philadelphia Exhibition of 1876. This short pamphlet contained practical information for intending emigrants, detailing the church, politics, resources, climate, work opportunities and flora and fauna of the island. As a publication designed for the Philadelphia Exhibition, the work explicitly promoted Tasmania and encouraged migrants to come and settle in the colony. Tasmaniana was reprinted in 1879 especially for the Sydney International Exhibition of 1879, and included additional information on defense and rail. Just published similar works in the 1880s under the title The Official Hand-book of Tasmania.