Savage Life and Scenes in Australia and New Zealand

This 1847 publication by artist, naturalist and ethnographer George Angas vividly describes Australia and New Zealand in the early 1840s.

This 1847 publication by the artist George Angas (1822–86) describes his experiences in the young colonies of South Australia and New Zealand in the early 1840s. His interest in ethnology and natural history is apparent in his vivid descriptions of indigenous peoples, landscapes, flora and fauna.George French Angas (1822–86) gave up a career in business to become an artist, and his interest in natural history and ethnology is apparent throughout his work. In the early 1840s he travelled to Australia and New Zealand. His paintings from this period were later exhibited and formed the basis of two important large-format books of lithographs that appeared in 1849, having been announced in this two-volume 1847 account of his travels. Volume 2 describes Angas' journey of nearly 800 miles on foot from Auckland into the volcanic interior of North Island, and the spectacular landscapes he saw there. He recounts how he 'invariably experienced hospitality and protection' among the Maori, and documents their customs, both ancient and Christianized. The book ends with Angas' impressions of New South Wales, an account of the customs of the Aboriginal tribes there, and his return to England via Cape Horn and Brazil.