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On the fate of a sparrow who emigrates to Australia from London with his family.
(p. 241-244)
Note: From Colonial Monthly. Note at page 241 explains that this story was first published in the CM and is republished here in AJ because Clarke was too ill to complete a full installment of 'His Natural Life'. (PB)
The discovery of a newborn infant's strangled body in a parcel left at a hotel leads to discovery of jealousy, false imprisonment and another murder. Interesting asides on the running of a hotel and the sufferings of false accusations, as well as gruesome details of the murders. (PB)
Bertha Morton, a poor orphan, loses her brother from brain fever. After her death she leaves her aunt's house in Tasmania for a position as governess in Melbourne where she falls in love with a married man. Finally despatched back to her aunt she commits suicide on the voyage. (PB)
Describes the voyage especially round the Horn, life with the sailors and passengers' games; London and the countryside; the poverty and riches of Londoners; the Zoological Garden and society on a Sunday. Concludes that Australia is far more pleasant to live in. (PB)
A visit to the opium dens on the London docks at Chinaman Court in Bluegate Fields (Victoria Street). With reflections on De Quincy and a visit to a female opium-smoker. (PB)
Gretchen and Carl love each other but through a mermaid's schemes Carl is believed dead and Gretchen marries the Baron and learns to love him. She is driven mad by Carl's return, and as he casts himself into the sea the mermaid claims him for her own. (PB)
Refused permission to marry Florence, the curate's daughter, Philip faces disinheritance so emigrates to Australia to make his fortune. Letters miscarry and he marries the widowed owner of the station he works on. Florence appears, Philip realises the true state of his heart and vicissitudes follow ... (PB)
Miss Hetty Johnson relates her two affairs of the heart - with a squire who only wanted to teach her daughters, and a French count who left her at the altar. (PB)
The news of Richard Fanshawe Junior's death in a sailing accident on the Mediterranean soon kills his father. The heir refuses to abide by the old man's wishes regarding legacies to his servants and to Ella Gray, the orphan daughter of an old friend. A mysterious stranger eventually promises to effect some changes ... (PB)