Matthew Measure Matthew Measure i(6464822 works by) (a.k.a. M. M.)
Also writes as: Whimsa ; E. L.
Gender: Male
Arrived in Australia: ca. 1838
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1 Untitled Matthew Measure , 1838 single work correspondence
— Appears in: Commercial Journal and Advertiser , 21 November vol. 4 no. 321 1838; (p. 4)

In this correspondence the author describes the reason for sending the editor of the Commercial Journal and Advertiser the story 'Typhon' (published in the Journal below the letter). The work is 'one of a series extracted from our weekly paper' a paper in manuscript started on board ship. 'Many of the articles caused great amusement' writes the author and having observed that the Journal 'generally reserve some portion of your columns for humourous or amusing literature,... [the author] thought the accompanying genuine production might perhaps prove acceptable.' The author offers other works if 'upon your perusal you deem it worthy [of] notice'.

The author seems to have contributed 'Typhon' and other pieces under the series title 'Papers from My Portfolio'. In subsequent issues of the Commercial Journal works published from the series reveal that the 'weekly paper' was called the 'Traveller'.

AustLit has not yet established the existence of the paper.

1 A Literary Controversy at Sea Matthew Measure , 1838 single work prose
— Appears in: Commercial Journal and Advertiser , 26 December vol. 4 no. 331 1838; (p. 2-3)

'Poem "Gale at Sea" by Whimsa is derided for a supposed pleonasm, actually misunderstood as E. L. points out in a "Pindaric Epistle, To the Editor of 'the Traveller', in refutation of certain allegations".' (Webby)

The poems are separately indexed.

1 1 Pindaric Epistle i "Good mister Editor, I've been accused,", E. L. , 1838 single work poetry
— Appears in: Commercial Journal and Advertiser , 26 December vol. 4 no. 331 1838; (p. 2-3)
1 2 A Gale at Sea i "The stormy Petril ill-betiding bird;", Whimsa , 1838 single work poetry
— Appears in: Commercial Journal and Advertiser , 26 December vol. 4 no. 331 1838; (p. 2)
1 Measure's Imitation i "Without money we are forc'd to do;", Matthew Measure , 1838 single work poetry
— Appears in: Commercial Journal and Advertiser , 26 December vol. 4 no. 331 1838; (p. 2)

This short poem, presented as an epigraph to 'A Literary Controversy at Sea', is a parody of Beverley Suttor's verse.

1 Retribution; or The Damned : A Fragment i "With angry disk down in the west,", Whimsa , 1838 single work poetry
— Appears in: Commercial Journal and Advertiser , 19 December vol. 4 no. 329 1838; (p. 4)

'Enemy ship captures another and slays five hundred people, but is then itself sunk in a storm.' (Webby)

1 Stanzas : In Celebration of the Glorious and Heroic Achievement of Monsieur Le Capitane Du Petit Thoire, Commander of Le Grande Monarque's Ship La Venue, Against Madam Pomare, Queen of Otahiti i "There were two Popish priests I'm told,", Matthew Measure , 1838 single work poetry
— Appears in: Commercial Journal and Advertiser , 8 December vol. 4 no. 326 1838; (p. 2)

'On a brow-beating given to the Queen because she refused permission for French Roman Catholic missionaries to work in Tahiti.' (Webby)

1 Henric the Fisherman of the Cliff i "'Twas at the time when Britain's throne of state,", Whimsa , 1838 single work poetry historical fiction
— Appears in: Commercial Journal and Advertiser , 12 December vol. 4 no. 327 1838; (p. 3)

'Long poem set in the days of the Danish invasion of Britain - Henric really King Alfred, using minstrel disguise to trap and slay the Danes.' (Webby)

1 The Strange Visitant Matthew Measure , 1838 single work short story
— Appears in: Commercial Journal and Advertiser , 5 December vol. 4 no. 325 1838; (p. 2-3)

A passenger on board a ship narrates the tale of an apparition who appears and advises the Captain to alter course to an island. On the island, the apparition leads the company to a trove of tortoiseshell.

1 1 y separately published work icon Papers from My Portfolio Matthew Measure , Whimsa , 1838 6471935 1838 series - author single work poetry prose short story

In a letter, accompanying the contribution of a short story 'Typhon', sent to the editor of the Commercial Journal and Advertiser, the author relates that on the voyage out to Australia in an effort to while away monotony and to amuse fellow passengers, 'three or four of us ... started a 'weekly paper' in manuscript 'which we kept up till we arrived at our destined port.'

'Typhon', the first work seemingly contributed to the Commercial Journal, was 'one of a series extracted' from the weekly paper. 'Many of the articles caused great amusement' writes the author and having observed that the Commercial Journal 'generally reserve some portion of your columns for humourous or amusing literature,... [the author] thought the accompanying genuine production ['Typhon'] might perhaps prove acceptable.' The author offers other works if 'upon your perusal you deem it worthy [of] notice'.

The author seems to have contributed 'Typhon' and other pieces under the series title 'Papers from My Portfolio'.

The piece 'A Literary Controversy at Sea', published in the 26 December 1838 issue of the Commercial Journal, reveals that the shipboard paper was called 'The Traveller'.

AustLit has not yet established the existence of the paper.

1 Typhon Matthew Measure , 1838 single work short story science fiction

The narrator builds a contraption that allows him to travel above the clouds where he encounters a new world.

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