Title

Sydney Illustrated, by J.S. Prout [review of parts 1-3]

Author

Arden’s Sydney Magazine.

Details

Arden’s Sydney Magazine, 10 February 1843, p.53, column 2.

Publication date

10 February 1843

Type

Publication Review

Language

English

Country of context

Australia

Full text

SYDNEY ILLUSTRATED, by J. S. Prout Member of the New Society of Water Colour Artists in London, with Descriptive Letter-press by J. Rae, M. A.
On first taking up this work and casting the eye over its external appearance and its lithographic illustrations, and on becoming informed that the whole is the production of resident Artists and is entirely devoted to a description of the Metropolis of the Australian Colonies, one immediately acknowledges the credit such a publication confers on this distant Colony, and the attraction it must make to the friends of the Colonies in England.

The work is one which was commenced in 1842, and consists of views of various parts of Sydney, drawn and lithographed by Mr. Prout a resident Artist of celebrity; combined with descriptive letter-press by John Rae, Esq., M. A, at present Town Clerk to the Civic Council of Sydney. It was originally intended that the work should be published in parts, and completed in ten numbers. From want, however, of materials in the lithographing department, the publication was suspended until supplies could be obtained for the Artist from England. This circumstance in itself will suffice to explain the difficulties (often trifling, but from being unexpected, seriously detractive) which the pursuits of literature and art must be met with, in this country. The numbers which have appeared, being the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of the series, contain in all twelve sketches, and will be continued immediately on the arrival of the daily expected materials ordered by the proprietors. We have not time to enter into a critical examination of the plates or matter before us, although we shall not fail again to refer to its peculiar merits, and to press them upon public notice, until justice is done to the talent and assiduity displayed in their compilation. The price of the work, 10s. 6d. a number, places it within the possession of all but the lowest and poorest order of the community, while its subject is instructive to parties lately arrived, and would prove extremely gratifying to their friends “at home”.

[Arden’s Sydney Magazine, 10 February 1843, p.53, col.2.]

 

Last Updated

14 Oct 2020