Mr Anthony Trollope
The subject of our illustration, who is now on a visit to this colony, holds a very distinguished position in the world of literature. As a novelist, he is perhaps the most prolific author of the age, and few of the great writers in the same field have obtained so large a share of public favour. He seems to have inherited in common with his elder brother many of the intellectual qualities of his eminent mother, Mrs. Frances Trollope. His father was a barrister-at-law. His mother, for many years after her first work, 'Domestic Life of the Americans' (1832)—the piquant strictures in which evoked a good deal of bitter indignation from our republican cousins, but which are said to have had a salutary effect upon their manners and habits—proceeded in an uninterrupted literary career, novels of society and impressions of travel forming the general staple of her works. She was one of the most notable authoresses of her time, her most successful work being 'The Widow Barnaby.' It was, however, before she had achieved any fame in literature that Anthony Trollope was born. His nativity is dated in the memorable year 1815, and he was educated at Winchester, afterwards at Harrow. Whilst filling a responsible position in the Post Office, he found opportunity to interest the public in a long series of novels of remarkable merit. The first to attract public attention was 'The Warden,' which was followed by its relative, 'Barchester Towers,' which is said to be the most meritorious of the productions of his pen. Succeeding each other rapidly came 'Doctor Thorne,' 'The Bertrams,' 'The Three Clerks,' 'Castle Richmond,' 'Framley Parsonage,' 'The Kellys and the O'Kellys,' 'Orley Farm,' 'The Small House at Allington,' 'Rachel Ray,' 'Miss Mackenzie,' 'The Claverings,' &c. He has also written some able volumes of travel. It is said of him, with something like justice, having a regard to the extent of his writings and the success that has attended their publication, that he is the most popular of living novelists. One of his biographers says "he does not go very deep, but he sketches the superficial aspects of society with a charming lightness and facility of touch, and is unfailingly agreeable and amusing." His elder brother, Thomas Adolphus, lived for many years at Florence, and is well known by several works on Italian subjects, historical and biographical.
Mr. Anthony Trollope has now been some months in these colonies and, both in Victoria and Queensland, has met with a public recognition founded upon the well proved merit of works which have been read by tens of thousands, wherever the English language is spoken. But with an excellent show of taste and modesty that well become greatness, he has accepted the cordiality of his welcome as a tribute to the genius of the British authors of the day. Moving amongst us as an unobtrusive observer, he has everywhere by his intelligent bearing and gentlemanly affability left the impression that he has personal qualities suited for association with high literary ability.
Source: The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912) Sat 14 Oct 1871 Page 1040
NEWS ITEMS
1871 - [AUSTRALIAN VISIT]
Mr Anthony Trollope, the well-known author, leaves England next month, on a visit to Australia. It is his intention to take notes for the purpose of writing one or more novels on Australian subjects.
Source: Ovens and Murray Advertiser (Beechworth, Vic. : 1855; 1857 - 1890; 1892 - 1955) Thu 23 Mar 1871 Page 3
1871 - BATHURST.
Mr. Anthony Trollope arrived here last night, and started for Gulgong this morning.
Mr. Anthony Trollope arrived here last night, and started for Gulgong this morning.
The arrival of Mr. Anthony Trollope, the prolific and versatile novelist, at Gulgong, on Saturday morning last, was the occasion of much conversation among the population. The fine engraving and biographical sketch in the Town and Country of the 14th enabled everyone to a recognition of the person and calibro of the man. No great parade was made in receiving this gentleman, although it was evident that he was received with unaffected warmth and cordiality. He was accompanied by Wittingdale Johnson, Esq., and availed himself of that gentleman's experience and familiarity with the mines to visit several of our principal leads and claims. He made many and peculiar inquiries of the miners, and appeared much interested in all affairs appertaining to gold mining, practically. This was before the portrait in the Town and Country roached here, but we are assured by the miners whose claims he visited, that they "felt by instinct that he was no ordinary man," and when they came to know who in reality it was, they "regretted that their attention was not quite marked as it otherwise would have been." Mr. Trollope is not the first distinguished person who has made a tour of the gold-fields: but it is to be hoped that he will carry with him, and embody in any work that he may publish, a more enlarged and intelligent idea of the gold-fields and gold-miners of Australia than has proceeded from the brains of all his predecessors. In the evening he was present at a lunch at Self's new hotel, where about fifty were seated at the table, and where the utmost good humour pervaded all the doings and sayings. Complimentary toasts were drank and corresponding responses made, and everything passed off most agreeably. It may not be generally known that Mr. Trollope is somewhat more interested in New South Wales than merely gathering materials for writing a book, but such is the fact. There is a fine run situated about thirty miles south of Lachlan River from Forbes, known as Mourty, and formerly the property of Mr. Richard Read, of Wowingragong. This station property now belongs to Mr. Frederick Trollope, a son of the gentleman who is creating such a sensation upon his travels. And, while the author is upon his excursion, the authoress, his wife, is quietly mingling with bush society, the guest of her son, and his friend and neighbours, in that rich pastoral district. Upon the whole, the visit of Mr. Trollope to Gulgong appears to have given much satisfaction to our population as well as to himself; and he may rest assured that many who have never had the gratification of perusing his works will, now that they have seen the author, not omit an opportunity of doing so.
Source: Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919) Sat 21 Oct 1871 Page 7
1871 - Mr. Trollope at Gulgong.
On Saturday, the 14th instant, a luncheon was givon to Mr. Trollope at Gulgong, and in reply to the toast of his health, the populur novelist said : —
"Gentlemen, — I am exceedingly gratified at the manner in which you have drunk my health, and also, received the names of Mrs. Trollope, and my little son—about six feet two—(laughter)—whom some of you doubtless know. When I arrived here this morning I did not think that I should be called upon to make a speech. My business, as you are aware, is more connected with pens and paper than with oratory, therefore, I will be brief in what I have to say. Nothing has impressed me more favourably, or struck me more forcibly, than the orderly manner in which business is conducted on the diggings. I have been a good distance to-day and seen a considerable number of people, and I must bear testimony to the justice of what Mr. Browne has said, for I have not seen a revolver — except on the person of my honourable friend on the right. (Laughter.—The speaker alluded to Mr. White, Bank N.S.W.) Everything that has to be done is done is the simplest manner; every man displays an unaffected demeanour, and quiet unnssuming manner, which shows a high degree of civilisation. Here one sees that quiet demeanour and manner which he is not able to see in men in the same position of life in my own country. (Cheers.) This is to be attributed to the advanced state of the colony. No matter what position in life a man may be in, whether shearing sheep or engaged in some other labour, he always shows the independent spirit and conscious pride — the same that I have found in America— and you may well be proud to live amongst workmen such as you meet with in tlhis colony. (Cheers.) Mr. Browne has said that we find the old English feeling existing out here, and I must say I have found it so. You are all Englishmen, the only difference between this and the old country being that here you are more English than they are at home,"
