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History of the Australian Bushrangers
Excerpt from History of the Australian Bushrangers
In this story of the bushrangers I do not pretend to have included the names of all those who have at various times been called bushrangers in Australia. That, as will be seen from what I have said in the earlier chapters, would be not merely impossible but useless. I believe, however, that I have collected some particulars about all those who succeeded in winning even a local notoriety, and I have also endeavoured to supply such personal characteristics of the leaders in the movement as may throw some light on the causes which induced them to "take to the bush." My principal object, however, has been to make the picture as complete as possible, so that the magnitude of the social evil which the Australians set themselves to cure may be realised; and it is generally believed in Australia that this cure has been so complete that bushranging will never again become epidemic.
The story is a terrible one. Some of the incidents related are no doubt revolting, but it is necessary that even these should be told to show how civilised man may be degraded by unjust and oppressive laws. We are all creatures of the educational influences to which we are subjected in our youth, and therefore it is unfair to blame the earlier bushrangers; because they were the products of the civilisation of their day, and were not themselves responsible. But sensational as the story is, its tendency is rather to depress than to exhilarate the reader, for the story is a sad one, in that it shows a deplorable waste of what under happier conditions might have been useful lives.
In this story of the bushrangers I do not pretend to have included the names of all those who have at various times been called bushrangers in Australia. That, as will be seen from what I have said in the earlier chapters, would be not merely impossible but useless. I believe, however, that I have collected some particulars about all those who succeeded in winning even a local notoriety, and I have also endeavoured to supply such personal characteristics of the leaders in the movement as may throw some light on the causes which induced them to "take to the bush." My principal object, however, has been to make the picture as complete as possible, so that the magnitude of the social evil which the Australians set themselves to cure may be realised; and it is generally believed in Australia that this cure has been so complete that bushranging will never again become epidemic.
The story is a terrible one. Some of the incidents related are no doubt revolting, but it is necessary that even these should be told to show how civilised man may be degraded by unjust and oppressive laws. We are all creatures of the educational influences to which we are subjected in our youth, and therefore it is unfair to blame the earlier bushrangers; because they were the products of the civilisation of their day, and were not themselves responsible. But sensational as the story is, its tendency is rather to depress than to exhilarate the reader, for the story is a sad one, in that it shows a deplorable waste of what under happier conditions might have been useful lives.
412 pages, Paperback
First published August 19, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 22, 2013
An interesting, if biased, account of the Australian Bushrangers by an unabashed booster of the British Empire. Well worth a read for a slightly more contemporary history of such notables as Ned Kelly and Captain Thunderbolt.
July 21, 2020
Not my usual reading matter at all but I can't ignore and I can't not like this book, written as it was by my Great, Great Grandfather (on my mother's side). Times have changed and I am sure that given a different cultural context George Boxall would not be looking at this subject through such pro-Empire lenses. It's still the standard reference on this subject however and that says a lot about his skills in distilling this all into a readable book that still works more than a century after it was released.
January 3, 2018
Very interesting book
This book is about criminals being sent to Australian penal colonies and escaping into the bush area’s of Australia causing trouble for townspeople. This re do me of the Wild West in the United States with the many gangs robbing and killing citizens.
This book is about criminals being sent to Australian penal colonies and escaping into the bush area’s of Australia causing trouble for townspeople. This re do me of the Wild West in the United States with the many gangs robbing and killing citizens.
November 19, 2024
Great reading
I read this as a wind down, for 5 to 10+ minutes. The history of the early colony has always interested me. I found it fascinating.
I read this as a wind down, for 5 to 10+ minutes. The history of the early colony has always interested me. I found it fascinating.
February 6, 2017
It didn't have as much about particular bushrangers as I thought it would.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews