3-053-622 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Christmas Day at the Australian gold-diggings - 100° in the shade; drawn by W. Ralston, 1873. 'In spite of the climate, it appears from our Illustration, that the squatters and diggers are bravely disposed to enjoy themselves al fresco with the roast turkey and plum-pudding, and the after-dinner bowl of punch, that we should consider appropriate to Christmas Day in our own native land. Such luxuries, indeed, can scarcely have been the Chinese fare of this party of sturdy good fellows, whom our Artist has represented as he may often have seen them when he lived in Australia. They are gold-diggers, taking holiday rest outside their huts...the n*gro [who is cooking breakfast, is] not a native Australian, but an immigrant, perhaps a runaway sailor, if it so happen that the useful "darkey" follows this party to try their luck at the newly-opened diggings'. From "Illustrated London News", 1873.