ABSTRACT
In 1852 William Howitt, author, journalist and editor, journeyed to Australia with his two sons Alfred and Charlton, seeking gold in the hope of overcoming his mounting financial difficulties. In later recounting his reasons for this decision he wrote:
The most wonderful statements appeared continually in the English newspapers of the prolific finds of gold, much of it lying on the surface …. Even to me it appeared a fine opportunity to make a substantial sum at the same time that I gave myself release for a time from the long-worn harness of literary work … [and] at the same time give to my two sons a chance of seeing the Antipodes and probably entering on a new and remunerative mode of life. The idea to them was most attractive …. 1
