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Abstract

There is an unusual interest in contemplating the native inhabitants of Van Diemen's
Land, for, within the last century, they have passed through all the phases of
human history. Up to one hundred years ago, they occupied the Island alone, had
unimpeeled sway in it, and had done so for ages we cannot count. They had not
been interfered with by any other race of man. In the interval they have been
invaded by Europeans, have had to resist and withstand the contact with people
the most different from themselves in existence, and, as an inevitable consequence,
they have gradualy dwindled away, the last native having died within two years
from this time, and they are now become entirely obsolete. Absolutely their historical
period has not been longer than one century.
It possibly may be desirable to say a few words here concerning Van Diemen's
Land. It is well known to be an Island, situated at the eastern extremity of the
Southern coast of Australia, from which it is separated by Bass'Straits. The Island
is about 250 miles long and 200 broad, and is not so large as Ireland. It was
discovered in 1642 by Tasman, a Dutch navigator, was visited by Cook, by French
and other European voyagers at different times, and taken as an English Penal Settlement
in 1803. The number of native inhabitants, at its first discovery and up
to the last century, has been estimated by the most accurate judges at about 7,000,
by some at only 4,000.
It has now become a feeling of importance to gather up the stray records of this
curious uncivilized people, and to preserve them permanently among the archives
of the history of man. From the UTAS Special & Rare Collections - Royal Society Rare GN 70.9 .T3 D38

Item Type:	Book
Authors/Creators:	Davis, Joseph Barnard
Keywords:	University of Tasmania, History, Tasmania, Aborigine Osteology, Dutch Society of Sciences, Royal Society of Tasmania
Publisher:	De Erven Loosjes
Collections:	Royal Society Collection Other Special Collections
Additional Information:	Further dealing in this work, other than fair dealing under the Copyright Act 1968, is not permitted.
Item Statistics:	View statistics for this item

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