Title

Gold pen and pencil sketches [illustrated by Thomas Balcombe.].

Author

Sydney Morning Herald.

Source

Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney) 18 April 1831 - ongoing

Details

5 July 1852, page 2, column 5.

Publication date

5 July 1852

Type

Publication Review

Language

English

Country of context

Australia

Full text

GOLD PEN AND PENCIL SKETCHES'
UNDER this heading, within the last few days, we have been favoured with a small volume of poetry issuing from the Australian press, and illustrated by eight engravings.

The illustrations are from the pencil of Mr. Thomas Balcombe, and we are bound to say that they are well worthy of the high reputation which that accomplished artist has earned for his delineations of Australian scenery and character. They are, as well as the letter press by which they are accompanied, descriptive of the trials of the gold-digger's life, particularly to those who leave situations in life in which it was impossible they could receive a training which would fit them for such an occupation. In fact, the work both of the pen and the pencil is a vivid and instructive satire on the fever which induces many young men pursuing respectable avocations, to quit comfortable homes, and family responsibilities, to seek a precarious fortune in the gold fields.

In this light we recommend the perusal of the adventures of Mr. John Slasher, at the Turon diggings, to the people of Sydney, hoping that the tale may serve to point its own moral.

Mr. John Slasher is a young man spoiled in his early years by the fondness of his mother, and on leaving Eton turns out a scrapegrace. As a last resource his parents send him out to Australia, with sufficient means to establish him as a squatter. Of course, having learned no habits of industry, economy, or perseverance at home, he soon fritters away his means before he leaves Sydney. Unfortunately to add to his other difficulties he marries, and, at last, reduced to his last penny, resolves to stake his all on a venture to the gold diggings.

The parting of Jack Slasher and his wife and wife's mother is the subject of the first plate, and it is graphically delineated. To use the words of the author-
    His tears are showering on her upturn’d face
    Meeting from her blue orbs, love’s return tide.
But the connubial tears of a gold adventurer, like those of children, are, it appears, very transcient, and consequently in the course of, another stanza or two, we find our hero mounted, passing through Parramatta, leaving Penrith, the Punt, and Emu Plains behind, and leading his tired steed up Lapstone Hill, of weary memory to many a gold seeker. Arrived at the summit he meets a homeward bound party: and the jeers and derision with which they greet him, and the consequent contempt and indignation of our adventurer, is admirably delineated in the next plate. Jack, without further adventure, reaches the Turon, sets up his tent, marks out a claim and gets his license, and in the full equipment of a gold digger, proceeds at once to business. Of course Jack's judgment in the selection of his choice failed him, and on proceeding to work it, he tumbles down his rock and boulders on the heads of the workers of the adjoining claim, whose sudden appearance in the act of uttering many pious objurations to induce him to desist, together with Jack hard at work, pick in hand, form the subject of the next plate. Jack doubtful of his own resources, now seeks a mate, and finds one not over particular about trifles. The author graphicaly describes him -
    His last employ, ere visiting the mines,
    Trimming and tendering Norfolk Island pines.
Jack having made but a poor hand at the pick, in the division of labour between himself and partner it is arranged that he shall dig and carry earth to the cradle, and in the next plate we meet him, body bent and sack on back, carrying his burden to the cradle - to be rocked, alas! in vain. A change is made in the occupation; Jack rocks while his mate digs, and on the first trial golden symptoms appear in the cradle, which Jack, in his ignorance and enthusiasm, washes away by continued rocking and an excess of hydropathic treatment: the consternation of Jack's mate on making this discovery forms the subject of the 5th plate. A regular fight ensues, in which Jack, in virtue of his Etonian education, is victorious, and his mate begging for mercy, a truce is agreed on. Finding that he is unfit for any of the ordinary occupations of a gold digger, Jack turns purveyor, and goes to the nearest store for the daily or weekly mutton: but the gibes and sneers he meets with put him out of all conceit of this occupation too. His vexation, as well as his increasing flashness, are admirably depicted in the 6th plate. Jack by this time had had his wits pretty well sharpened, and had moreover found that the diggings were not the world in which he was destined to cut a pretty figure - he therefore proposed to "pepper their claim" (season it with gold specks, we suppose it meant) to a "green one," and a Mr. Sammy Verdent turns up opportunely, with whom, after a night's debauch, they strike a bargain, highly satisfactory to the selling parties at least. The purchase "on view” of the peppered gold claim is the subject of the 7th plate. The money having been paid, the precious pair take themselves off with all speed, and our last interview with them on the road home, the 8th plate, found them taking lunars at another brace of Johnny Newcomes, who were galloping in high spirits to the diggings. 

The artistic merit of the plates is, as we have said, great, and we believe Mr. Balcombe has himself done a very considerable portion of the mechanical work of the engraving.                    

Of the letter press, we need hardly say that the narrative, as we have described it, does not afford scope for any poetic pretensions. The versification is however easy and correct, and displays good feeling and humour, with considerable powers of description. More it is not requisite to say in praise of an author whose poetic capabilities on congenial subjects are so well known as those of G. F. P.    

[Sydney Morning Herald, 5 July 1852, p.2, col.5.]