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7/26/2025, 2:10:14 AM
From yesterday:
What was Aboriginal lifestyle like before the 'evil white man' turned up in 1788?
We have over a dozen journals of people who were aboard the First Fleet and who stayed in Sydney Cove for at least a couple of years. Those journals often became best sellers in Britain, Europe and North America.
Probably the most famous and the most well-written account is by Lieutenant General Watkin Tench who wrote, 'A Complete Account of the Settlement at Port Jackson.' A link to the endlessly fascinating journal is below.
One of the most celebrated interactions between the settlers and the Aboriginals was with Bennelong ... who became so friendly with Governor Arthur Phillip that when Phillip sailed back to England in 1792, he took Bennelong with him. Bennelong stayed in London for three years, saw all the sights and likely even had an audience with King George III.
The below is from Watkin Tench's journal and describes the initial interactions with Bennelong (who is called Baneelon here):
"But Baneelon, quickly threw off all reserve; and pretended, nay, at particular moments, perhaps felt satisfaction in his new state. Unlike poor Arabanoo, he became at once fond of our food and would drink the strongest liquors, not simply without reluctance, but with eager marks of delight and enjoyment. He was the only native we ever knew who immediately shewed a fondness for spirits: Colbee would not at first touch them. Nor was the effect of wine or brandy upon him more perceptible than an equal quantity would have produced upon one of us, although fermented liquor was new to him.
His powers of mind were certainly far above mediocrity. He acquired knowledge, both of our manners and language, faster than his predecessor had done. He willingly communicated information; sang and danced and told us all the customs of his country, and all the details of his family economy.
What was Aboriginal lifestyle like before the 'evil white man' turned up in 1788?
We have over a dozen journals of people who were aboard the First Fleet and who stayed in Sydney Cove for at least a couple of years. Those journals often became best sellers in Britain, Europe and North America.
Probably the most famous and the most well-written account is by Lieutenant General Watkin Tench who wrote, 'A Complete Account of the Settlement at Port Jackson.' A link to the endlessly fascinating journal is below.
One of the most celebrated interactions between the settlers and the Aboriginals was with Bennelong ... who became so friendly with Governor Arthur Phillip that when Phillip sailed back to England in 1792, he took Bennelong with him. Bennelong stayed in London for three years, saw all the sights and likely even had an audience with King George III.
The below is from Watkin Tench's journal and describes the initial interactions with Bennelong (who is called Baneelon here):
"But Baneelon, quickly threw off all reserve; and pretended, nay, at particular moments, perhaps felt satisfaction in his new state. Unlike poor Arabanoo, he became at once fond of our food and would drink the strongest liquors, not simply without reluctance, but with eager marks of delight and enjoyment. He was the only native we ever knew who immediately shewed a fondness for spirits: Colbee would not at first touch them. Nor was the effect of wine or brandy upon him more perceptible than an equal quantity would have produced upon one of us, although fermented liquor was new to him.
His powers of mind were certainly far above mediocrity. He acquired knowledge, both of our manners and language, faster than his predecessor had done. He willingly communicated information; sang and danced and told us all the customs of his country, and all the details of his family economy.
6/20/2025, 3:18:06 PM
Who bake?
Page 1