Clifford Wyndham Holgate diary, 6 February-3 May 1884

MLMSS 10175

fonds

6 February-3 May 1884

Textual Records, Clippings, Ephemera

9612074

0.20 metres of textual material (1 box) - manuscript, printed - 23.4 x 19 x 2 cm

Clifford Wyndham Holgate (1859-1903), born in Hendon, Middlesex, attended Brasenose College in Oxford, matriculating 24 May 1877. He attained a BA in 1881 and travelled to Australia between 1883-1885 on account of his poor health, accompanied by his sister Maud Holgate. During his travels he made a study of Australian libraries which resulted in the publication, An account of the chief libraries of Australia and Tasmania, published in 1886.

Reference:
Library correspondence file

Previously purchased by client from Raffan & Kelaher Auctions, Sydney, early 1980s

One unpublished manuscript diary, written in ink on faint ruled paper, with a black vinyl cover. The diary is an account of Clifford Wyndham Holgate's visit to Australia in the late 19th century. It is the second volume and details his 103-192 'days from home'. The diary describes visits to libraries, art galleries and universities, church services, meetings with churchmen, officials and landowners, picnics, race meetings and other social events, and general impressions of towns, buildings, the landscape and colonial society. Holgate describes the weather, walks and views of Sydney and suburbs such as Woolloomooloo, Rose Bay, Darling Point and Darlinghurst and visiting the Sydney Public Free Library on Macquarie Street. The diary also contains a detailed account of a visit to the Mt Bischoff tin works in Tasmania and a description of a voyage from Launceston to Sydney via Eden on the Corinna. Among the many individuals referred to are H. H. Hayter, Thomas Bride, Bishop Daniel Sanford (with whom the Holgates stayed in Hobart), Archdeacon F. Hales, Dr Joseph Armitage, Sir George Innes, Edward Lamb, Bishop James Moorhouse and H.S. Fort.

The diary also contains newscuttings of musical performances, weather, shipping news, stocks and shares listings, court news and other ephemera such as a concert program and honorary membership of the Launceston Club and Union Club in Sydney.

Copyright status:: In copyright
Research & study copies allowed: Author has been deceased for more than 50 years
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Front title page is inscribed by the author, 'The Journal of a Wanderer in many lands' and 'Vol. II' along with a quote from English children's author, Juliana Horatia Ewing.

Spine is damaged. The front cover and first page have detached.