Benjamin Disraeli (1801-1881) was a politician, who wrote novels, was the prime minister (twice) of the United Kingdom, and was the only Jewish-born Prime Minister. He became a close friend to Queen Victoria, who entitled him to 1st Earl of Beaconsfield. The book is part of Flagstaff Hill's Pattison Collection, a large group of books and records, some of which are rare and valuable. The collection was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute, which was founded in 1853 and is named after Warrnambool's Public Librarian, Ralph Pattison. The publisher firm Longmans, Green & Co. was founded in 1724 in London by Thomas Longman under the name Longman. In August of that year, he bought the two shops and goods of William Taylor and set up his publishing house there at 39 Paternoster Row. The shops were called Black Swan and Ship, and it is said that the 'ship' sign was the inspiration for Longman's Logo. After many changes of name and management, the firm was incorporated in 1926 as Longmans, Green & Co. Pty Ltd. The firm was acquired by Pearson in 1968 and was known as Pearson Longman or Pearson PLC. This collection of papers and speeches of politician Benjamin Disraeli is significant as a window into the political background of the Victorian era. The book is important for its connection with the London publisher Longmans, Green & Co. The firm has been established for over two centuries and is renowned for publishing encyclopedias, dictionaries, books on English grammar, textbooks, poetry, reference books, novels, magazines and more. The book has additional importance for its connection to the Pattison Collection, which, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institutes’ Collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and its important role in people's intellectual, cultural and social development throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance.Wit and Wisdom of Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield: collected from his writings and speeches Author: Benjamin Disraeli Publisher: Longmans Green and Co Date: 1886 (new edition, first printed in 1881) Brown cloth hardcover book with blue reinforcing on spine and corners. Inscriptions are on stickers, a label, a stamp, and handwritten on the fly page. The book is part of the Pattison Collection.Label on spine: "PAT 824 DIS" Sticker on pastedown front endpaper: "Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library" covered by a sticker "Corangamite Regional Library Service" Stamp on front loose endpaper: "Corangamite Regional Library Service" Handwritten on fly: "N" "257 (crossed out)" "8" "G 328 (crossed out)" "4" "265"flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, pattison collection, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, warrnambool library, free library, corangamite regional library service, longmans green and co. london, wit and wisdom, benjamin disraeli, queen victoria's friend, longmans green & co, speeches, addresses, writings, papers, earl of beaconsfield, british politician, british prime minister

This booklet is a souvenir of St. John’s Young Women’s Association (St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Spence Street, Warrnambool) and was printed about 1910. It contains the favourite sayings or quotations of over 200 people living in the Warrnambool district at the time. A young women’s group commenced at St. John’s in 1892 and church groups for both young men and young men were well-organized and popular in the 20th century. It is presumed that the booklet was sold as a fund raiser for the youth group. The identity of ‘C.McLaren’ is not known. This booklet is significant because it contains not only the names of over 200 people living in the district at the time but also their contributions to the booklet. These contributions give us some small insight into the philosophies of these people when we study the quotations they chose to contribute. The contributors include the well-known names of Younger, Forrester, Tyers, Mainland, Dickson, Davidson, Swinton, Goodall, Battarbee, Salamy, Shaddock, Newcombe and Uebergang This is soft cover booklet of 40 pages (the pages are not numbered). The cream-coloured cover overlaps the printed pages. The front cover has black printing and two black scrolls at the top and bottom of the cover. The book has been bound with one staple and tied with white cord. There are two blue stamps of the Warrnambool & District Historical Society at the front and the back of the booklet and the inscription is handwritten in black ink. The cover is a little stained and slightly torn at the left bottom edge. ‘C. McLaren, Merri St., W’bool’. st. john’s presbyterian church, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

A pink book titled 'The Life of Charles Lever the Irish National Novelist. The chronicler of Ireland's gallantry; the genial and kindhearted novelist whose wit and humour were combined with wisdom.' London : Ward, Lock & Co., Salisbury Square, E. C. 337 - 352 pgs. This booklet is one of a series of 53 ' Ward & Lock's Penny Books for the People.' 'Biographical Series.' Price one penny. There are advertisements of note.books, biography, charles lever, lydia chancellor, collection, charles lever, male, individual, person, famous people, irish history, writer, writing, irish novelists, ward & lock's penny historical series, ward & lock's penny books for the people, biographical series, advertisements, penny books

The Australian Natives Association (ANA) Benefit Society was formed in 1871 at a meeting of young men in Grimwood's Hotel, Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. The Association was one of many friendly societies that also aimed to promote the moral, social and intellectual advancement of its members. The young founders restricted membership to native-born Australians, but there were no Koories among them. The Australian Natives Association Ballarat Branch (No4) was founded in 1874. The association’s modest building was based in Camp Street and the branch was one of the most active in the colony, playing a key role in Federation. The Ballarat branch of the ANA was wound up in 1957 and the double storey building has since been used as for office space most recently for employment companies such as Tracey Recruitment. Ballarat's ANA Hall has heritage status under the City of Ballarat’s Camp Street heritage overlay HO186, however it is not listed by either the Victorian Heritage Register or the National Trust.Handwritten letter glued onto a lined page. The letter is from the Australian Natives Association Ballarat Branch No. 4, and is written to John Mateer at the time of his wife's death. The letter is signed by John Gray (President) and Fred Wainwright (secretary). Fred Wainwright was the first secretary of ANA branch No. 4. hew as a clerk at Ballarat Town Hall, and presented an essay on Federation of Australian Colonies in 1879.Australian Natives Association Ballaarat Branch No 4 14th December 1883. Dear Sir The members of this branch of the A.N.A. desire us to convey to you expression of their deep sympanth with you in the irreparable loss you have sustained by the death of your dearly beloved wife. The Members are fully aware that during the first month of such an overpowering infliction the most sincere sympathy of the truest friends can do little by alleviate the bitter pangs of remembrance and sorrow, still they trust that you may be enabled to submit with christian calmness and fortitude to the Will of Him, who, when seeming to act most severely wit us, is in His Own Divine Wisdom, ordering things for the best. We are Dear Sir Yours fraternally John Gray President fred Wainwright Secretary To Mr John Mateer australian natives' association, ana, ballarat branch no. 4. ballaarat branch no. 4, gray, john gray, wainwright, fred wainwright, mateer, john mateer