AustLit

19th-Century Australian Travel Writing

Narrative of the Surveying Voyages of His Majesty's Ships Adventure and Beagle, between the Years 1826 and 1836, Describing their Examination of the Southern Shores of South America, and the Beagle's Circumnavigation of the Globe was published in three volumes. The first volume is concerned with South America. Volume two, entitled "Proceedings of the Second Expedition, 1831—1836, under the Command of Captain Robert Fitz-Roy, R.N." chronicles the journey of the expedition from England through South America, the Falkland Islands, New Zealand, and Australia before returning to England. In Australia, the text describes the situation and rapid growth of Sydney, and the social evils resulting from the convict system. Van Diemen's Land is also described, and seen as favourably situated in terms of climate and geography, and with less problems resulting from the transportation of convicts. The third volume "Journal and Remarks. 1832—1836. By Charles Darwin, Esq., M.A." forms a narrative parallel to that of volume two, giving another crew member's version of events. For Darwin, points of interest appear to be the vegetation of New South Wales, and Aboriginal peoples. He chronicles his excursions to the Blue Mountains, before visiting Van Diemen's Land and King George's Sound en route for the Keeling Islands.