Difference between revisions of "Eugene von Guerard"

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==Background==
 
==Background==
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EUGEN VON GUERARD
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DIARY AND SKETCHES 1853/1854 BALLARAT<ref>Microfilm Mitchell Library</ref>
  
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The writer of the diary form which the following pages are taken, was of French extraction, and was born in Vienna in 1811, his father being Court painter to Francis the first.
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Having studied art in the schools of Rome and Dusseldorf, he decided in 1852 to go to Australia, and try his luck there as a landscape painter.
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Before leaving London he was introduced to some members of a French company, then forming, who were preparing to go the new, although already well know, gold fields of Victoria.  He was persuaded to join this company, and on payment of £50 as a first instalment towards expenses of passage, purchase of implements, provisions, etc, was enrolled as a member.  The company consisted of fourteen men and one woman, (Catherine, “bonne” of one of the members) who was to act as manageress and housekeeper. The members were apportioned office as director of works, treasurer, foreman, master of commissariat, doctor, etc ---many of them were exiled, or fugitives from their own country.  Among them were a lawyer, a merchant, a tax-collector, a conductor of orchestra, a gendarme, a doctor, and artist, a director of the Gas company at Lyons, etc etc.  the greater number were well educated men but all were emigrating with the one object of becoming rich without much trouble. 
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The fortnight between the time of joining the company and the day of departure, was filled with the necessary preparations, and the purchase of stores, pumps, borers, tents, etc etc.
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All members of the company being men without means, second class berths were taken in the 1000 ton emigrant sailing ship “Windermere”, for the very moderate sum of £20 per head, inclusive of bard, from the London docks to Melbourne, sailing on August 17th.
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Extracts from E. de G.’s follow.
  
 
==Goldfields Involvement, 1854==
 
==Goldfields Involvement, 1854==

Revision as of 17:45, 23 August 2017

Eugene von Guerard, Old Ballarat as it was in the summer of 1853-54, 1884, oil on canvas, mounted on board, Art Gallery of Ballarat Collection, Gift of James Oddie on Eureka Day, 1885.

Background

EUGEN VON GUERARD DIARY AND SKETCHES 1853/1854 BALLARAT[1]

The writer of the diary form which the following pages are taken, was of French extraction, and was born in Vienna in 1811, his father being Court painter to Francis the first. Having studied art in the schools of Rome and Dusseldorf, he decided in 1852 to go to Australia, and try his luck there as a landscape painter. Before leaving London he was introduced to some members of a French company, then forming, who were preparing to go the new, although already well know, gold fields of Victoria. He was persuaded to join this company, and on payment of £50 as a first instalment towards expenses of passage, purchase of implements, provisions, etc, was enrolled as a member. The company consisted of fourteen men and one woman, (Catherine, “bonne” of one of the members) who was to act as manageress and housekeeper. The members were apportioned office as director of works, treasurer, foreman, master of commissariat, doctor, etc ---many of them were exiled, or fugitives from their own country. Among them were a lawyer, a merchant, a tax-collector, a conductor of orchestra, a gendarme, a doctor, and artist, a director of the Gas company at Lyons, etc etc. the greater number were well educated men but all were emigrating with the one object of becoming rich without much trouble. The fortnight between the time of joining the company and the day of departure, was filled with the necessary preparations, and the purchase of stores, pumps, borers, tents, etc etc. All members of the company being men without means, second class berths were taken in the 1000 ton emigrant sailing ship “Windermere”, for the very moderate sum of £20 per head, inclusive of bard, from the London docks to Melbourne, sailing on August 17th. Extracts from E. de G.’s follow.

Goldfields Involvement, 1854

1853


Tea prepared at a good fire we had made of dead wood. The water, obtained from small waterholes in the rooky parts the creek, was thick and full of frogs; nevertheless we thoroughly enjoyed the tea we made with it! Along the route the vegetation was of much interest--- Wattle, sheoak, honeysuckle, eucalyptus, etc, all quite new to me.

Jan. 18th

After travelling for a week, we have arrived at Ballarat. The journey has been interesting in many ways. The forests of immense gum-trees, the waterholes of which we camped at night, the unpleasant discovery of a scorpion as a bedfellow, the intolerable flies, etc. were all new experiences. We occasionally passed human habitations, and one day met a poor young fellow who had been attacked by bushrangers, robbed of his horse, and all the money he possessed, and then tied to a tree. When we saw him he was in a cart with a man and a woman, who had heard his cries, and rescued him. The poor fellow’s arms and legs were terribly swollen form the tight ropes with which he had been bound to the tree. Ballarat consists of a camp of tents, and some buildings constructed of boards. One building, made of the trunks of trees, constitutes the prison, and is often the temporary abode of bushrangers, and also of diggers who can’t --- or won’t ---- pay their licence.

Jan. 23rd

The last five days have been spent in seeing the gold-commissioner, Mr. Green, to ascertain the laws for diggers, and in obtaining our licences. And further to prepare our encampment. This necessitated the felling of trees, for the purpose of constructing a work-shop and store for our possessions, our tents being barely roomy enough for our personal shelter. The work, to which we were all new, was somewhat arduous at first, and caused much backache and blistering of hands. The evenings are a delight after the day’s work, being both novel and picturesque. From every direction weary diggers are to seen returning to their canvas homesteads, hundreds of fires are kindled and illuminate the scene, and at each tea is made and mutton roasted. The evening meal finished, the air is filled with the sound of firearms being fired, in order to be reloaded anew before the night. A Frenchman, named Fougery, with his wife, and several others has arrived from California ---- they have rigged up their tent close to ours, and make a pleasant addition to our party. Have had the very painful experience of being bitten by one the gigantic black ants that are to be met with out here. The pain and swelling lasted several days. Received our licences, for with we pay 30/- per month. An encampment of police here, both mounted and on foot, have a quite military appearance.

Jan. 25th

Yesterday we went to peg out our claims at Eureka Hill. Our nearest neighbours are Chinamen, Englishmen, and Americans. We afterwards went on towards Gravelpit, and repeated our pegging out there. Two of our Company remained at each claim. Digging was begun in four-hourly shifts, to continue day and night. Armand and I made a start. At midnight we came on for a second shift by brilliant moonlight. It was a cold night, and one’s turn at the windlass, after being bathed in perspiration from digging, was not pleasant. We got a depth of twelve feet when we were again relieved.

Jan. 27th

Having dug to a depth of twenty four to twenty five feet both at Eureka and Gravelpit, we came upon rock in both places, our only gain being a practice at digging! Armand and I have been out reconnoitring, and after lengthy wanderings we came to the northern part of Ballarat flat, where many diggers have left their mines on account of floods. One Dr. M., who arrived here form Canton some time back, bringing a number of Chinamen with him, had the water pumped out of some pits and had considerable luck. We have decided to try this place, working at some the deserted shafts.

Jan. 30th Sunday

Had a good walk towards Brown Hill, and discovered large tent being used as R.C. Chapel. Went in and heard mass and sermon. On retuning to our camp, found great discussion going on as to the dissolving of our company, most of the members being in favour of it.

Feb. 20th.

Have now got my own small tent. With some difficulty I found the necessary canvas in a store. The making a constructing the framework has taken more time and trouble than I had foreseen, but is quite successful. The sense of freedom this gives me is wonderful, and being able to go to bed without the usual accompaniment of strife is a blessed relief.

Feb. 21st.

To-day the auction of our two large tents, and such effects as none of us wanted, or were able to keep, took place. Written notices had been nailed to £trees for some days. Armand undertook the duty of Auctioneer, and the sale was well attended. We took over150, considerably more that the things had cost. The two tents alone fetched £29.10.

March 1st

News of rich ground at Little Bendigo caused a rush thither of hundreds of miners, Arndt, Lyaz, and I among the number. Within a very short time, a couple of thousand shafts were sunk. Five sixths of these proved to be valueless, ours unfortunately among the number. News of a highway robbery and murder, and mangled corpse found on the way to Buninyong, but no trace of the murderer.

March 10th.

Joined another rush to Jules Station. Result nil. Had to buy new kettle and frying -pan, the two indispensables out here, paid 1?/-and not too good at that.

March 13th.

Have done a wonderful walk to Warrenheip Hill, through miles of forest. Saw many magpies, black cockatoos, parrots, etc. much relished the exquisite clear water of the Leigh Creek, the first I had tasted for a long time, such a thing being unobtainable at the diggings.

April 3rd.

Some days ago a large tent was put up close to mine by some very undesirable looking people. A man with a wife and daughter, and several young men, seem to share it. They possess carts and horses, and seem to be carrying on an illicit sale of spirits. The gambling at nigh invariably ends in loud quarrelling and fighting. Very unpleasant neighbours.

April 15th.

Yesterday a party of armed police raided the tent of my neighbours, and carried off a cartload of barrels, bottles, and jugs, as well as the two women. The men were all away at the time. To-day the whole lot have disappeared. Only in certain parts of the township public houses are allowed, and for these the licence is very heavy. Spirits, however, are sold illegally at most of the little stores, and this is often known and winked at by the police. We are subject to periodical unexpected requests to produce our diggers licences. As in every gully there is a number of men who have evaded taking out a licence, one is quite accustomed on these occasions to hear the signal passed along, giving warning of approaching police. The latter usually arrive to the number of twelve to sixteen men, armed with bayonets, and headed by a mounted officer. They pass from one shaft to another to examine these licences. On hearing of their approach many of the miners disappear rapidly into either mine, or into the bush, and so succeed in evading the law. Those who are not so nimble, and are caught, are roped together in pairs and taken prisoner. I have seen as many as thirty or forty at a time, taken off like this. They are then imprisoned with robbers and other criminals. This method is causing a good deal of bad blood.

April 18th.

I and the mate I have taken on, Bagot by name, have had some hard work putting planks into our shaft, as it showed signs of collapsing. It has paid, however. After B. had gone today I still worked on, I was surprised by a drunken Englishman of huge dimensions, who descended to where I was at work. I begged him to remove himself, which he refused to do, whereupon I climbed up out of the shaft, pulling the rope up after me, hoping to give him a wholesome lesson by keeping him prisoner down below for a time. To my astonishment he managed to climb up out of the shaft and approached me in a perfect fury, and most anxious to have a boxing match. I told him that he’d find my boxing done with a pistol, whereupon he moved off. I hear……

endless deserted claims, and hardly a soul to be seen, where only quite lately a busy crowd was at work.  One or two tents are still there, and a few China men are examining the old shafts.

Nov. 27th.

Went to the consecration of the large tent which has been erected as a R. C. place of worship. There was such a crowd that it was almost impossible to get inside. Dr. Goold, R.C. Bishop of Melbourne, preached. Afterwards I walked to Canadian Gully, now pretty well the chief centre of the principle diggings. Found a great number of stores, eatinghouses, smithies, etc., had sprung up. Also, to my surprise, came upon Henri d’Orleans, who is now running a much decorated “Lemonade tent”. He is doing a grand business during this hot season by selling all sorts of cooling drinks, and excellent Havana cigars at 2d/- a piece.

December 1st.

Have been working at Sixty-feet Gully for the last few days, with some success. The heat is frightful. Also had the great joy, mixed with much anger, of receiving three letters from home. These letters had lain in the Melbourne Post office for six and half months, in spite of endless enquiries. My former mate, Bagot, looking more like the figure of a hunter in “Der Freischutz” than anything else, has reappeared. He offered to take me to a spot where he assured me I could make my fortune, and begged me to be his mate again. I told him that was out of the question, but went with him through the bush to the place he spoke of, and was amazed at the number of tents, windlasses, etc., in all directions.

Dec. 25th.

After three weeks of hard work, with but poor results, we today spent a very restful Xmas day, with much good fare. Catherine surpassed herself in preparing a repast in Guillerot’s tent which was quite excellent. Roti de veau, pommes-de-terre, gateaux, compote, crème, café, etc --- (by arrangement I have been having meals with G. for some time, saving myself trouble, and benefiting by Catherine’s good cooking.) Later I paid visits to the R.C. priest, who regaled me with some excellent Rhine wine; to the very amiable Architect, Lane, and to several others. Altogether a quite pleasant Xmas Day.

Dec. 27th.

This morning while preparing timber for our mine near Black hill Gully, I became aware of loud shrieks, and firing from the Eureka Line, and soon a cavalcade of some twenty mounted police, followed by thirty to thirty-five police on foot, and a vast number of diggers, hurried by in that direction. Later I saw the crowds in the distance being gradually dispersed by the police. It was, as I heard afterwards, a very bloody fight between neighbouring English and Irish diggers, leaving a numbers of wounded and some dead on the ground. Towards evening, after a day of intense heat, a south-west wind arose with much violence, and raised a duststorm, such as I have never seen before. For a time we were in absolute darkness, trees, tents, etc, were blown down, and some places were set on fire. Then heavy black clouds tore across the sky, and in a remarkable short time all was still, and the sky clear.


January 1st. 1854

Sold our gold this morning an paid off our extra mate. We have had much amusement over Catherine’s love affair. Noel, a sailor and former mate, has been courting her, much to Guillerot’s annoyance. There have been the most entertaining scenes between the three, poor C. frankly confessing that it was most distracting not knowing what to do. In the end G. has won, keeping his housekeeper, while Guibert is doing his best to comfort the inconsolable Noel.

Jan. 2nd.

The heat is intense, and bushfires very bad. All night a wide expanse of fire has been visible in the direction of Warrenheep Hill. The Leigh is entirely dried up, and only a couple of holes remain with tolerably bad water. The heat, the flies, and the smoke-laden atmosphere make existence almost intolerable.

Jan. 3rd.

Not far at the rear of G.’s tent the bush fire is raging. Many tents are being rapidly taken down, while some have already been caught by the flames. It is a grand, but terrifying spectacle, hundreds of trees with the flames rushing up their trunks, the foliage being consumed like fireworks, and the huge giants crashing to the ground on all sides, with a thundering noise, the sky red, with clouds of smoke flying upwards.

Jan. 4th.

The Guillerot menage is coming to an end. G., and Catherine with him, are preparing to return to France. For some time news has reached us here of the wonderful gold mines in Peru, and there has been quite an exodus to that part of the world, several of my old mates going to try their luck there.

Jan. 9th.

Going to Ballarat Flat today, I saw cricket being played for the first time out here. Heavy rains and thunder-storms have cooled the air, after a long spell of intense heat.

Jan. 17th.

Just a year since my arrival at Ballarat, and how changed it all is in that short time. Stretches of fine forest transformed into desolate-looking bare spaces, worked over and abandoned. In many part, where a year ago all was life and activity, there is now a scene of desolation. At the same time the population has enormously increased, and there is less and less chance of having a lucky find, as at every new place that shows any promise, swarms of diggers settled down like flies on a midden.

Post 1854 Experiences

Eugene von Guerard, Vom publick haus zu Ballarat, 1854, pencil.
Courtesy Art Gallery of Ballarat, Gift of Mrs Martell, 1938.

See also

Further Reading

Corfield, J.,Wickham, D., & Gervasoni, C. The Eureka Encyclopaedia, Ballarat Heritage Services, 2004.


References

  1. Microfilm Mitchell Library

External links