Cirrus@Austlit

A party of bachelor tourists, 'tired of the matrimonial thrall, resolve to emigrate and seek seclusion in some out of the way spot." They set sail under the guidence of Captain Cook Jnr. and eventually land on what they believe to be an uninhabited island. One of the ship's crew, a young middy named Moustique, sets out to explore the island and discovers that it is peopled solely by women. 'Consternation ensues among the [men] when they learn this intelligence; and their fears are further augmented upon hearing that any man found upon the island must suffer death before sunrise on the succeeding day. When the women, led by their ruler Queen Venus and her ministry, discover the men they vow to wreck vengeance upon them. Moustique is to be spared, however, on account of his youth. In the end, however, 'love conquers the hearts of the manumitted maidens, and they succumb to Cupid's influence.' Marriage is reverted to, misogyny banishes, and it is to be hoped all live happily ever afterwards" (Sydney Morning Herald 2 July 1889, p3).