Cirrus@Austlit

The romance of two girls of gentle birth growing up together - motherless and a little wild in an English village. Love for the same man brings treachery between them but the death of one leaves a daughter to the care of the other who eventually drifts to Australia as a teacher. Interesting and occasionally finely written tale. (PB)

On the youth, love and family life of the handsome but weak-willed Spenser Lee, English merchant, who in the prime of life defaults on his investor's funds. How this large act of dishonesty is based on a life of smaller falsehoods. Vividly but a little disjointedly written. (PB)

Reflects on the consolations offered by books when friends fail, particularly poets (including Gordon) and history. Reveals that the library is the Tasmanian Public Library.

With a short introduction, the comments of Mr Beecher in the USA on the criticisms of Methodist preachers of fashionable amusements. Defends them.

The sale of a horse at inflated value from a NSW livery stable. A husband and wife arrange an 'honest' swindle between them. (PB)

The obvious inequality in some marriages is because they reflect the average quality of the community itself. (PB)

The heroic story of Grizel Cochrane, daughter of Sir John Cochrane of Ochiltree who was condemned to death for his part in an insurrection against Charless II. She stops the London mail-carrier single-handed and destroys the warrant for her father's execution, thus giving time for his pardon to be arranged. (PB)

The granddaughter of an English miller secretly works in a coal mine to keep herself and her grandmother. One day she saves the life of Sir Guy whom she has long loved but who she fears does not have honourable intentions ... Interesting for its description of a woman pulling a coal cart etc. (PB)