Short Stories From Australia in the 1860s

In the 1860s people walked or rode a horse if they wanted to go somewhere. If they were rich they would have a buggy and maybe even a couple of horses. There were bushrangers and other things to beware of when undertaking a journey. No radio, no television, no phones. People lived their lives with the certainty that there was work, church and family. Other than that, time with friends – or partaking in sport – were the only entertainments available until the newspaper.

Charles Dickens proved in the 1830s that stories published in newspapers had articles that could capture a person’s attention. As for a longer story: it needed to be serialized.

Multiple editions over many months.

Newspapers were about news, naturally. So-and-so wants to meet with you, then the time and date. News, of course, about what was happening locally, and then later, more broadly.

Melbourne Punch was a point of departure from the norm in Australia. This publication wanted to entertain, first and foremost. And provide a satirical look at life, second.

The Count of Monte Christo was a story about an adventurer who had several bad turns against him. He soldiered on.

Infant, An Autobiography was the fanciful idea that it would be entertaining to read about the thoughts of a baby’s first year of life. if he or she could write fully formed thoughts, and get someone to put a stamp on an envelope and send it to Melbourne Punch.

Knowing Birds was a comedy about the interactions between a widow and her new suitors.