AustLit

On the fate of a sparrow who emigrates to Australia from London with his family.

The discovery of a newborn infant's strangled body in a parcel left at a hotel leads to discovery of jealousy, false imprisonment and another murder. Interesting asides on the running of a hotel and the sufferings of false accusations, as well as gruesome details of the murders. (PB)

Bertha Morton, a poor orphan, loses her brother from brain fever. After her death she leaves her aunt's house in Tasmania for a position as governess in Melbourne where she falls in love with a married man. Finally despatched back to her aunt she commits suicide on the voyage. (PB)

A spinster in her forties and her 17 year-old niece both make matches on St Valentine's Day. A light romance - probably set in England. (PB)

Account of ceremonial execution of four Japanese criminals by the sword, near Yokohama. (PB)

Describes the voyage especially round the Horn, life with the sailors and passengers' games; London and the countryside; the poverty and riches of Londoners; the Zoological Garden and society on a Sunday. Concludes that Australia is far more pleasant to live in. (PB)

A visit to the opium dens on the London docks at Chinaman Court in Bluegate Fields (Victoria Street). With reflections on De Quincy and a visit to a female opium-smoker. (PB)

Gretchen and Carl love each other but through a mermaid's schemes Carl is believed dead and Gretchen marries the Baron and learns to love him. She is driven mad by Carl's return, and as he casts himself into the sea the mermaid claims him for her own. (PB)

Refused permission to marry Florence, the curate's daughter, Philip faces disinheritance so emigrates to Australia to make his fortune. Letters miscarry and he marries the widowed owner of the station he works on. Florence appears, Philip realises the true state of his heart and vicissitudes follow ... (PB)

Tale of a young married couple's business failure and how they weathered it. (PB)

Meta's fashionable wedding without the spirit of love inspires her cousin Daisy to keep hers simple and from the heart. Probably set in the USA. (PB)

Miss Hetty Johnson relates her two affairs of the heart - with a squire who only wanted to teach her daughters, and a French count who left her at the altar. (PB)

A lover's misunderstanding results in a false engagement and ten years separation. Romance between a sailor and a lady's companion. (PB)

Lina Rivers finally discovers which of her two suitors she prefers when Harry Byrnes is believed dead in a train crash. (PB)

On the advantages of drinking tea - but not a dogmatic temperance lecture. (PB)

The news of Richard Fanshawe Junior's death in a sailing accident on the Mediterranean soon kills his father. The heir refuses to abide by the old man's wishes regarding legacies to his servants and to Ella Gray, the orphan daughter of an old friend. A mysterious stranger eventually promises to effect some changes ... (PB)

On the necessity for lovers to truly learn about each other after the wedding and to cultivate domestic peace. (PB)