AustLit

A short review of the May 1868 issue of the Colonial Monthly noting: 'The poetry is as yet the weakest part in the serial, but it would appear as if it were not the easiest thing in the world to get realy [sic] meritorious peotry [sic] at this side of the equinoxial line.'

A brief review of the first (and perhaps only) issue of the Aurora Australis. The review, in full, reads:

'Aurora Australis: Such is the title of an unpretending little publication, the first number of which lies before us. It purports to be a medium for the publication of those morceaux which our literati may throw off in their leisure hours, and we think such medium is fairly wanted.The contributions in the present number are rather weak, but beginnings are proverbially so, and it is too early yet to find fault. The magazine may be made useful and entertaining, and we it will be.'

A lengthy editorial piece on the prosecution of the proprietors of the Freeman's Journal on the grounds that the proprietors had not sworn an affidavit setting out their names with the Supreme Court. The writer argues that, since an affidavit was sworn before the Chief Justice on 29 December 1866, the failure to do the same at the Supreme Court was an unwitting and unintentional oversight. The writer can only conclude that the May 1868 prosecution of the case by the Crown Solicitor is an act instigated by New South Wales Premier James Martin in order to discredit the pro-Irish, pro-Roman Catholic newspaper.

Having subsequently complied with the law, and informing the Crown Solicitor of this fact, the proprietors received communication from the latter that the Attorney General will persist with the prosecution 'as he can find nothing in the statements [provided by the Freeman's Journal] ... to warrant him in foregoing the threatened proceedings'.

The writer for Freeman's surmises that the whole endeavour is designed by Martin (himself a Catholic of Irish descent) to 'embarrass, to cripple, or to crush' the Catholic publication. The premier 'has declared war with us simply because we express and propagate opinions unfavourable to his tenure of office, those opinions being shared in the vast majority of the Irish residents in this colony. He is sadly mistaken, however, if he fancies that he will achieve a triumph in this case.'

An advertisement advising that the proprietors of the Freeman's Journal have entered into a 'job printing business' and 'are now prepared to execute orders'.

A list of suburban, country and inter-colonial agents for the Freeman's Journal.

An advertisement advising that Freeman's Journal 'is filed and may be seen, free of charge, at Holloway's, 533, Oxford-street, W. C., (late of 224, Strand) London, where advertisements and subscriptions may be received'.

An advertisement, for Greville and Company, for the sale of various types of paper, pens, pencils, slates, ledgers and other stationery items.

An advertisement advising that Greville and Company are the 'authorised Sydney agents of all the leading provincial journals of New South Wales' and are able 'to offer terms for the insertion of advertisements which can be done by none but a recognised agent'.

An advertisement for Greville and Company, agents for Messers Harrild and Sons, London, advertising the sale of various items of printing machinery and equipment.