Guide to the Letters of William Sandover
MS 1720
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Online Items
Letter from William Sandover to his Father and Mother, 8 October 1876 (Item 1)
Writes of his impressions of Melbourne. Comparisons with Adelaide. Describes observations of buildings; social events attended; other obvservations. Describe a full day visiting various sights and places of interest in Melbourne. Goes on to give news of acquaintances and friends and a visit to the Theatre.
Letter from William Sandover to his father, mother sisters and brothers, 12 October 1876 (Item 2)
William describes sight seeing as 'about the hardest of work'. Lists various sights he has seen including buildings, halls, the Athaneum, Yarra Wharves, Royal Park, etc. Describes watching a debate in the House of Assembly as 'a grand treat' and descibes the presentation of debate and character of speakers.
Letter from William Sandover to his father and mother, 16 October 1876 (Item 3)
Letter discusses future travel plans to Launceston and Geelong. Describes visits to and impressions of the Kew and Yarra Bend Lunatic Asylums; the Botanical Gardens and Government House; factories and the Mint. Describes in great detail a visit to Pentridge Prison including conditions, activities, work and industry in the prison. Describes the Tweed industry in detail including output of material and prices. Dicusses other goings-on, visits and plans.
Letter from William Sandover to his father and mother, 18 October 1876 (Item 4)
A lenghty letter intended to descibe Melbourne in great detail for family members who have not visited. Describes in detail his visits to Kew and Yarra Bend Asylums, compares how they are run, impressions and observations. Continues letter with details of a visit to Ballarat including observations of the effects the post gold-rush economic downturn. On return to Melbourne further visits to sights, museums, the National Gallery and other buildings of note with lenghty descriptions including descriptions of artworks on display. Other details of friends, acquaintances and visits.
Letter from William Sandover to his father, mother, sisters and brother, aunt, friends and relations, 23 October 1876 (Item 5)
Describes visits to and detailed observations of an ironmonger warehouse; the town hall; the Model School; Brighton; the Melbourne Benevolent Asylum; a choir performance; mentions the introductions he has used from connections back home have been valuable; delivers news of other friends and acquaintances and the Unitarian Church branch in Melbourne.
Two letters from William Sandover to his father and mother, 25 October 1876 - 29 October 1876 (Item 6)
Two letters received in the same envelope. First letter written from Launceston compares hotel prices of Melbourne and Tasmania ;continues detailing of his trip from where the last letter left off in Melbourne. Details a visit to a hospital and how it is run. Describes his travel to Tasmania; impressions of Launceston. The second letter written to his father from Hobart Town. He asks if his father can pass his notes on Melbourne to the Adelaide papers. Discusses acquaintances, politics, other observations of Melbourne society such as the prevalence of blind beggars.
Letter from William Sandover to his mother, sisters and brother, 27 October 1876 (Item 7)
Letter written from Tasmania. Describes a concert in Longford and train ride to Hobart Town. Brief mentions of his lodgings and the expense; news of acquaintances.
Letter from William Sandover to his father and mother, 3 November 1876 (Item 8)
Writes to his mother referencing a letter he received from her, and addressing the points she made. Details of his daily activities in Hobart - places visited, people he met etc.
Letter from William Sandover to his father, mother, sisters, brother and aunt, 12 November 1876 (Item 9)
Letter to family with details of his visit to Sydney. News of friends and acquaintances. Updates of Tasmania trip which were not previously written about including descriptions about the Tasmanian wilderness; the Cascade Brewery; the New Norfolk Asylum and sights in Hobart; Tasmanian politics and the ecomonic state and affairs bewteen Tasmania other colonies.Contiunes letter with details of his arrival in Sydney and future employment prospects there.
Two letters from William Sandover to his parents, and to his brother, 21 November 1876 (Item 10)
Two letters received in the same envelope. First letter addressed to brother Alfred to wish him a happy birthday. The second letter is addressed to his father and mother. Makes reference to telegrams received from his parents. Mentions his comfort during his time at Cooks River and sends news of his uncle and family members he is visiting. Descriptions and impressions of Sydney society and buildings; visits Botanic Gardens, Museum, Library and other sights.
Letter from William Sandover to his relations, 28 November 1876 (Item 11)
Writes with news from Sydney. Describes in detail a visit to the Blue Mountains; details and impressions of sights visited in Sydney including Parliament House, Town Hall, Deaf, Dumb and Blind Asylum. Visit to the North Shore, the opera and Newcastle. Social visits and news of friends and acquaintances.