Nineteenth-Century Travel Writing
Henry W. Nesfield's first person, conversational narrative A Chequered Career; or, Fifteen years' Experiencies in Australia and New Zealand tells the narrative of his fifteen years in the Antipodes. It begins with his early days, including his schooling and career prospects, the lack of which lead to aspirations of emigration to be financed by the author's wealthy family. Nesfield's descriptions of the colonies, though frequently referring to his abhorrent pre-conceived notions of colonial life, extended to the towns and countryside he visited, the various Aboriginal groups he encountered, as well as Nesfield's various experiences of employment, including driving a cab, acting, and storekeeping.
