Experiences of a settler in the early days of Van Diemen's Land

Abstract

The Reverend John West, author of The History of Tasmania, writing in 1852, made these observations (p. 66): 'The landing of settlers, direct from Great Britain, was an important event: their efforts were experiments, and their achievements were prophetic. The political philosopher may trace, in their errors, trials, and successes, the lessons afforded by experience for the instruction of nations. The rapid advance of civilization tends to underrate the first efforts of our predecessors.