2-888-109 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Maria Island, Van Diemen's Land, [now Tasmania, Australia], 1850. 'Maria Island...was named after Van Diemen's daughter. In 1825 it was made a penal settlement for convicts...A small town was soon formed, to which the name of Darlington was given...Darlington consists of the residence of the Magistrate, Superintendent, and other officers, a capacious store and hospital, a chapel and school-room, barracks for the military and convicts...Fish, excellent in quality, is caught all round the coast in abundance ; the lagoons supply fine eels, and the oysters found in Oyster-bay are superior in size and flavour to most in the colony. Quail and wild duck are in abundance; but a great drawback to the sportsman's enjoyment is the constant dread of treading on snakes, of which there are a great many, and all venomous...We have to thank a Correspondent, "T. J. L." for the accompanying Sketch'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.