Historical information

These two volumes are seminal historical writings published in 1888. The author of Volume One is Alexander Sutherland (1852-1902), described as ‘a forgotten Australian intellectual’. Born in Scotland, Sutherland was a teacher, poet, biographer, novelist, scientist, philosopher and journalist. In 1902 he was the Registrar of Melbourne University and he was the Secretary of the Royal Society of Victoria. With his brother, George, he wrote a history of Australia and New Zealand which sold 100,000 copies, the first best-selling Australian history. His book, ‘The Origin and Growth of the Moral Instinct’ influenced Russian philosophical thought.

Significance

This is a most significant book as it contains short biographical notes on a great number of early (19th century) residents of the Warrnambool district. As well as listing information on Warrnambool identities it includes information on residents of Purnim, Wangoom, Dennington, Panmure, Garvoc, Framlingham, Winslow, Yangery, Woodford, Mailors Flat, Grasmere, Bushfield and Allansford. It is a great resource for researchers today. The two volumes also contain illustrations pertaining to the areas around Warrnambool and are of great historical as well as artistic interest.

Physical description

These are two volumes of ‘Victoria and Its Metropolis’. They are leather bound with a black cover, heavily ornamented in gold around the edges of the cover and with the printed material also in gold lettering in an ornamental pattern. The spine of the covers are brown with gold ornamental patterns and printing. Volume One has 594 pages with 258 illustrations , all black and white and this volume contains writings on the early days of the colony up to 1888 and chapters on the arts, churches, education, industries, science etc. in Victoria. Volume Two has 822 pages with many black and white illustrations and chapters on the regions in Victoria and biographical notes on the pioneer settlers of these districts. Both volumes are in a very tattered condition with many loose pages and the leather binding much torn and with some parts missing.

Inscriptions & markings

Volume One cover: ‘Victoria and its Metropolis, Past and Present’
Volume One spine: ‘Victoria and its Metropolis, Vol. 1’
Volume Two Cover: ‘Victoria and its Metropolis, Past and Present’’
Volume Two Spine: ‘Victoria and its Metropolis, Vol. 2’