Publication type

non-fiction

Summary

A Girl at Government House
These reminiscences of an English girl 'in service' present a remarkably lively portrait of Australia in the eighteen eighties and nineties. The story is delightfully different, an evocation of a little-documented side of life in nineteenth century Australia. Brisbane during the Jubilee, Sydney Centennial celebrations, and the Melbourne Exhibition provide the background to the colourful, continuous whirl of dinners, balls and garden parties of colonial society. Juxtaposed with the social roundabout are the lives and loves of the ordinary people who were 'a free and easy lot, and homely too'.
The charmingly naive Agnes has come from England 'knowing no more than a babe unborn how it came into the world'; her rustic vision quaintly interpreted Australia as 'beautiful flowers without any scent' and fostered the belief that snakes will never die till sunset, however early they are killed'.
An adventurous spirit and insatiable curiosity lead Agnes from one great house to another. Governors and grooms, ladies and laundry-maids — all are described with enchanting directness and compelling humour.
Great care has been take to illustrate Agnes's story with authentic photographs depicting the people and places mentioned in her narrative.
Captivating in its freshness, this delightful story is faithfully recorded with sparkling spontaneity. (inside cover)