AustLit

One item in 'Town News' deals with the recognition in Italy of internationally renowned Australians:

'The literary and scientific men of Italy appear to be not inattentive observers of what is passing in Australia, and are perfectly familiar with the names and reputations of our local savans. In the Diritto, of Florence, for the 19th of November last, we find the report of an address delivered, to the recently established Geographical Society of Italy, by Commander Negri, the well-known historian and political economist, upon whom has been bestowed the well-deserved honour of the presidency of that society … [T]he President observed : "We have friends in Australia whose names are honourably known to Europe and the world – Dr. [Ferdinand von] Mueller, Professor McCoy, director of the Museum of Natural History in Melbourne, and the distinguished naturalist, M. Salvador Morhange. At Sydney there is the Rev. Dr. [Charles] Badham, Professor of Classic Literature in the University..."

'The President then went on to describe the growth and explain the resources of Australia, and concluded by observing that the Geographical Society would systematically direct its efforts to acquire and disseminate such information as would be of practical utility to Italy; and it would be animated in its efforts by the hope that their country would turn the knowledge thus acquired to valuable account.'