November 1 Friday – The Clemens party was en route on the Mararoa from Melbourne to a brief stop in Hobart, Tasmania [Shillingsburg, “Down Under” 21].

Sam’s notebook:

Nov. 1 — noon. A lovely day, a brilliant sun. Warm in the sun, cold in the shade — an icy little breeze right out of the South. Passing between Tasmania & neighboring islands — islands whence the poor exiled Tasmanian savages used to gaze at their beloved land & cry; & die of heart-break.

How glad I am that all these native races are dead & gone, or nearly so. The work was mercifully swift & horrible in portions of Australia. (See Paving the Way.)

Poor piano — of course — there never was a good one in any ship. It is a pity to have any. Str. “Mararva” [Mararoa] U. SS. Co.

Electric extinguished at 1 last night. Stingy.

Michael Davitt on board.

Suppose an accident at night & no electric light. / There is no candle, you are not allowed to carry matches [NB 34 TS 24] Note: Simpson Newland’s 1893 book, Paving the Way: A Romance of the Australian Brush [Gribben 501].