S.T. Gill – Victoria Gold Diggings and Diggers as they are (1852) – Part 2

Cover for Victoria gold diggings and diggers as they are. Part 2 | National Library of Australia PIC Volume 181 S130
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a | 19(H) x 15(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

Titled: "Part the Second Containing 24 and Completing a Series of Forty-Eight Sketches of the Victoria Gold Diggings and Diggers as They Are, By S. T. G. / Lithographed and Published by Macartney & Galbraith, 30 Collins Street, Melbourne".

This is a vignette presented as if on an artist's palette. A reclining and cheerful digger points to the title on a hanging blanket or sheet. In the foreground are a gold washing cradle, axe, spade, pick, bucket, mug and kettle. In the background is a cart beside a shack with a chimney. This is not as busy as the cover for Part 1.

SLNSW-DL Q85/55 <https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/74VvW36AP5Nb>
NLA PIC Volume 181 S130 <https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135679994>

NLA copy has "Stephen Thomas Gill" below in the same way as the Part 1 Cover (NLA PIC Volume 180 S105) - both digitised. However this is not present on the SLNSW copy and was written later in ink (by an owner/collector).

Also NLA PIC Solander Box A48 S165 is a green wrapper.

Bowden numbering: Part 2, cover.

751

Coffee Tent 6 m from Bush Inn, Diggers Breakfast | State Library Victoria H7824
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

A coffee tent, six miles from the Bush Inn, on the road from Melbourne to the diggings. The Bush Inn (with Post Office) is marked on maps of routes to the gold diggings. Diggers enjoy a drink and a smoke. The tent bears "Best Navy No. 1" advertisement for tobacco. A sheep carcase is hung.

Aitken's Station was six miles from the Bush Inn. The Argus, 31 August 1852: 3. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4787005>.

Bowden numbering: Part 2, number 15.

See also a coloured copy at NLA PIC Volume 181 S144 (NK586/20) <https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135676642>.

Map | S. T. Gill - Melbourne to the Diggings

682

Road in Black Forrest | State Library Victoria H7817
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

The road to the diggings through the Black Forest, with drays, wagons and pedestrians. The Black Forest was after the Bush Inn on the road to the Mount Alexander and Bendigo diggings.

Bowden numbering: Part 2, number 11.

See also a coloured copy at NLA PIC Volume 181 S133 <https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135678830>.

Map | S. T. Gill - Melbourne to the Diggings

678

Fryer's Creek, Mount Alexander diggings | State Library Victoria H7836
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

Tents line the road at Fryer's Creek, Mount Alexander diggings. The prominent hill (right) may be Red Hill with the view being towards (modern) Fryerstown.

Bowden numbering: Part 2, number 23.

See also a coloured copy at NLA PIC Volume 181 S135 <https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135678637>.

Map | S. T. Gill - Victorian Diggings

710

Diggers licensing, Forrest Creek | State Library Victoria H7813
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

Diggers queue to get their gold licences at the "License Tent", Forest Creek, manned by Army Pensioners.

Bowden numbering: Part 2, number 21.

See also a coloured copy at NLA PIC Volume 181 S134 <https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135677670>. Also NGA 2005.509.7.

679

Pensioners, Forrest Creek | State Library Victoria H7848
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

Army Pensioners at Forest Creek.

"When the gold rush began in 1851, Victoria lacked an adequate defence force. At first, the Native Police Corps was expected to maintain law and order at the goldfields. However, the use of this Corps was unpopular so Military Pensioners from Victoria and Tasmania were recruited to form Victoria's Corps of Enrolled Pensioners. These men served as guards at Pentridge Prison, at Government House, and at the Treasury. They formed the Gold Escort and served as peace-keepers on the goldfields at Mount Alexander (Castlemaine) and Bendigo in 1852." (Maree Ring, 2008.)

Ring, Maree. Military Pensioners to Van Diemen's Land, 1850 to 1852. 2008. Papers and Proceedings, vol. 55, no. 3, Tasmanian Historical Research Association, 2008, pp. 206-210, <https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.546662352978082>.

Bowden numbering: Part 2, number 2.

See also a coloured copy at NLA PIC Volume 180 S153 <https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135675521>. Also NGA 2005.509.32.

717

Butchers shambles nr Adelaide Gully, Forrest Creek | State Library Victoria H7828
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

A butcher at his shamble waits on a potential customer. The shamble is located on the road near Adelaide Gully / Hill at Forrest Creek. As well as large cuts of meat, the butcher has a gold cradle labelled "For Sale" at front of shop and another at the side. Further along is a tent signed "Store". Poster(s) on the wall of the butcher's read: "2 Pounds Reward" and (obscured) "Stolen Horse".

Bowden numbering: Part 2, number 16.

See also a coloured copy at NLA PIC Volume 181 S154 <https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135677510>. Also (not digitised) NGA 2005.509.1 <https://searchthecollection.nga.gov.au/object/145122>.

Map | S. T. Gill - Victorian Diggings

680

Marking the Claim | State Library Victoria H7809
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

Two diggers mark out their gold claim on the ground. One appears to be winking at his mate. Other diggers in the background watch with interest.

Bowden numbering: Part 2, number 10.

See also a coloured copy at NLA PIC Volume 181 S136 <https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135675049>. Also NGA 2005.509.29.

690

Fossicking | National Gallery of Australia 2005.509.35
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

Two diggers fossicking on the surface for gold nuggets accompanied by their dog. Others are in the background, including a woman in a Norwich shawl.

Bowden numbering: Part 2, number 9.

See also SLV H7816. See also a coloured copy at NLA PIC Volume 181 S138 <https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135674723>.

685

Surfacing | State Library Victoria H7837
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

Two diggers with spades and wheelbarrow work the surface of their gold claim on the lower slope of a hill, their dog watching. A fire and kettle is beside them. Other diggings action is in the background.

Bowden numbering: Part 2, number 14.

See also a coloured copy at NLA PIC Volume 180 S113 <https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135673409>. Also NGA 2005.509.28.

721

The claim disputed | State Library Victoria H7846
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

Diggers on the goldfields dispute a gold claim. Narratively this follows on from "Marking the Claim". The tree stump is a marker (and is emphasised in the later reinterpretation for Blundell's "As they were in 1852" part 1, no. 4/8).

Bryce Ross wrote in his "Mems from the Mount" (probably early June 1852): "... the only serious scrimmage I was informed of that occurred lately, was at Eagle Hawk Gully. Two men had quarrelled about the boundary of their respective holes or claims, when, after a long wrangling, one of them proposed amicable terms, and to shake hands over it; the other agreed to the proposal, and held forth his hand, but, no sooner had he done so, than the other rushed him treacherously with a long knife concealed under his waist ..." Adelaide Morning Chronicle, 1 July 1852: 3. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66448966>

Bowden numbering: Part 2, number 18.

See also a coloured copy at NLA PIC Volume 181 S137 (NK586/17) <https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135677201>. Also NGA 2005.509.39.

615

Nuggetting | State Library Victoria H7815
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

Using a knife, a digger carefully picks a gold nugget at the bottom of a hole; pick, spade and twig brush nearby.

Bowden numbering: Part 2, number 6.

See also a coloured copy at NLA PIC Volume 181 S140 <https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135674883>. Also NGA 2005.509.33.

723

Puddling | State Library Victoria H7840
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

A party of three diggers washing gold near their tent. The main character is puddling stuff in a tub; he has a long-handled pot; behind him (partly obscured) is a gold cradle. Another has their wheelbarrow. In the background a third man carries another tub on his back.

"Bendigo Diggings, Tipperary Gully, May 14, 1852. The rainy season has now fairly commenced ... This long desired opportunity for gold washing was joyously hailed, and eagerly grasped at by our digging population, who might be seen running helter skelter in every direction with cradles, puddling tubs, and tin dishes, to work the mountains of stuff which lay stored up beside every tent." The People's Advocate and New South Wales Vindicator, 12 June 1852: 4. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article251532338>

Bowden numbering: Part 2, number 7.

See also a coloured copy at NLA PIC Volume 181 S139 <https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135674569>. Also NGA 2005.509.34.

707

Tin dish washing | State Library Victoria H7838
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

Two diggers wasing their gold, one with bucket of stuff and the other with a tin pan and sieve. In the background the diggings are busy.

Bowden numbering: Part 2, number 8.

See also a coloured copy at NLA PIC Volume 181 S141 <https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135674407>. Also NGA 2005.509.26.

705

Sunday camp meeting, Forrest Creek | National Gallery of Australia 2005.509.6
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

A group gather around a preacher on a Sunday at Forrest Creek. The crowd is generally well-behaved but the preacher has his wary eyes on four men!

"Bishop Perry preached here last Sunday to a very attentive audience in the open air, but what a congregation! the row at the Tower of Babel was nothing to be compared to it; unshaven heads, dirty faces, blue and plaid shirts. I recognised some of my South Australian friends there, a preacher had on a sow-wester, a lawyer a blue shirt, a teacher a tartan petticoat, a doctor a shocking bad straw hat and fustian breeks, but I was pleased to see them all so attentive, though rough and from all parts of the globe." Adelaide Morning Chronicle, 14 June 1852: 3. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66451046>.

"A few weak and desultory efforts are made, by the celebration of Divine service, twice every Sunday, by a Church of England minister, and, occasionally by Dissenting ministers; but these are of little service ... to invite men to prayer and thanksgiving in a temple not made with hands, but of God's own workmanship; exposed to the burning sun or the piercing blast; much as I respect and admire, their ministry serves but little good purpose. The assembling of a crowd is the signal for the numerous petty dealers in fruit and lemonade to gather to the spot, and often have I seen a seller of lemonade elbowing his way through the congregation of a preacher, in the midst of the most impressive portion of the service, crying his wares in so lusty a manner as to drown the words of prayer. Even where this is wanting, there are invariably found hanging on the skirts of the assembled hearers, some of those beauteous importations from the sister Colony, who deem it the very acme of bravado and "flashness" to utter fearful blasphemies or impure oaths, almost within the hearing of him who is breathing out the Holy Word of God." The Argus, 19 May 1852: 4. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4785122>.

Bowden numbering: Part 2, number 19.

See also SLV H7810. See also a coloured copy at NLA PIC Volume 181 S145 <https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135677837>.

676

Little Bendigo, Forrest Creek Diggings | State Library Victoria H7829
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

From the preparatory sketch SLNSW PXA 6912 f.06 "Little Bendigo, F. Creek". The diggings at Little Bendigo, Forrest Creek showing a bullock cart on the road, and a shaft and tent in the foreground. Diggers camps are in the background.

See the corresponding preparatory sketch.

Bowden numbering: Part 2, number 13.

See also a coloured copy at NLA PIC Volume 181 S132 <https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135679197>.

Map | S. T. Gill - Victorian Diggings

670

Road to Bendigo from Forrest Creek | State Library Victoria H7839
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

Traffic on the road to Bendigo from Forrest Creek.

From the preparatory sketch SLNSW PXA 6912 f.03 "Bendigo Road from F. Creek".

See the corresponding preparatory sketch.

Bowden numbering: Part 2, number 12.

See also a coloured copy at NLA PIC Volume 181 S131 <https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135679359>.

Map | S. T. Gill - Victorian Diggings

694

Zealous gold diggers, Bendigo July 1st 52 | State Library Victoria H7805
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

A family group - father, mother, child and infant - at the gold diggings; all except the baby working. Other diggers work in the background. Gill dates the scene 1 July 1852.

Bowden numbering: Part 2, number 17.

See also a coloured copy at NLA PIC Volume 200 #U1034 NK586/10 <https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135678315>. Also NGA 2005.509.38.

708

Unlucky digger that never returned | National Library of Australia PIC Volume 181 S152
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

In a forest, the skeletal corpse of a digger, boots still on, lies under a tree; next to him are his hat, gun, mug and blanket. Black birds show interest. There are no other people to be seen.

See the corresponding preparatory sketch.

Bowden numbering: Part 2, number 5.

See also SLV H7814.

681

Lucky digger that returned | National Gallery of Australia 2005.509.22
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

A successful digger back home on a sofa with his wife, two childen and a black and white dog. A landscape picture hangs on the wall and the older child looks at other pictures on the table. The pictures, dog and the man's appearance suggest this picture is somewhat autobiographical. Is the lucky digger the one who returned with sketches rather than nuggets?

Bowden numbering: Part 2, number 3.

See also SLV H7826. See also an (uncoloured) copy at NLA PIC Volume 181 S151 <https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-148459761>.

671

Convivial diggers in Melbourne | State Library Victoria H7833
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

Diggers around a table enjoy each others company and toast with champagne. Three pictures hang on the wall.

Bowden numbering: Part 2, number 20.

See also a coloured copy at NLA PIC Volume 181 S150 <https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135676285>. Also NGA 2005.509.27.

713

Improvident Diggers In Melbourne | National Gallery of Australia 2005.509.36
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

Two drunk diggers, with some champagne, stagger past a man who is looking in the widow of a jewellery shop. Signs: "Cribb & Pinchers, Jewelers", "Gold Bought Here - 10,000 ounces Wanted to Day", "Watches".

"At the foot of a tree three fellows took out £1800 worth [of gold]; they went down to Melbourne, and stopped till they had knocked it all down." Bonwick, James. Notes of a gold digger, and gold digger's guide Melbourne: R. Connebee, 1852. Page 18. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-256030628>.

Bowden numbering: Part 2, number 1.

See also SLV H7849.

702

Provident Diggers In Melbourne | State Library Victoria H7806
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

Two diggers look in the shop window of a real estate agent; one carries "The Argus" newspaper. Signs in the window read: "Land on Sale", "Village of ... Sale" and "Plan".

Bowden numbering: Part 2, number 4.

See also a coloured copy at NLA PIC Volume 180 S147 <https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135672815>. Also NGA 2005.509.2.

689

Diggers Wedding in Melbourne | State Library Victoria H7823
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

From the preparatory sketch SLNSW PXA 6912 f.14 "Diggers in Melbourne - The Wedding". See the corresponding preparatory sketch. The lithograph is highly detailed.

A party in a fancy carriage in Melbourne celebrate a wedding with toasts of champagne.

Bowden numbering: Part 2, number 24.

See also a coloured copy at NLA PIC Volume 181 S149 <https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135676083>.

700

Diggers shiping from Melbourne | National Library of Australia PIC Volume 181 S146
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-08~/1852-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Part 2

Diggers at the premises of "Hooker, Shipping and General Agent" looking for passage from Melbourne. On the desk is a leaflet for passage to Sydney. The luggage at the foot of the table has "STG" cryptically in the pattern.

Posters (left to right) are:
* London Direct
* The Times / Queen of Sheba / Mazappa [Mazeppa] / For Adelaide Direct
* [An]ne Dixon / Duff
* Punch / ...pper
* Hooker / Shping and General Agent
* Sydney [on the desk].

Bowden numbering: Part 2, number 22.

The text is tampered with in a monochrome version SLV H7847 <https://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/303791>. Also NGA 2005.509.40.

709