Verity of Sydney Town, an historical novel, was first
published in 1950 by a Sydney based author and was awarded Children's Book of
the Year in 1957. It is set in New South Wales during the period of Governor
Macquarie's time in office (early 1800's) against a backdrop of
pioneering farmers, bushrangers and convicts, and it is an interesting and lively
account of the times.
A strange little place...this Sydney Town, built as it
was round a cove which the natives called Warrang; neither entirely a seaport
nor a country town, nor a convict settlement, nor a military outpost, and yet,
in appearance, all these things in part. Covered by a dome of blue sky, flanked
by a glorious harbour and the mystery of lonely headlands, it had a beauty of
its own; and yet the town itself --despite the orderliness and seemliness
insisted upon by His Excellency, despite neat fences and whitewash, flag-stones
and clean-swept paths -- retained an appearance of raggedness, like a pretty
lass in a frayed petticoat.
Verity is a twelve year old girl whose father, a ship's
captain, has been lost at sea. The young girl is put under the care of
unsympathetic guardians in Sydney Town who, believing the captain to be dead,
eventually send her out west to live with a farmer and his family; charitable
people who knew her father and wanted to show kindness to his daughter.
Verity settles into her new life and shares in the hard
work of the farm. She is befriended by Humphrey, the farmer's son and Slippery
Britter, a young, cheerful, and warm-hearted ex-convict who works at the farm.
After Verity has been living at the farm for some time,
news comes that the Hawkesbury River is in flood. The farmer and his wife,
fearing for the welfare of their married daughter and her baby, leave Verity
and Humphrey in Britter's care and travel to the Hawkesbury region to bring
them to safety.
While they are gone, the farm receives some unwelcome
visitors. A group of bushrangers, one of them an ex-convict who used to
work at the farm, break in and threaten the lives of the two children.
Britter's bravery and quick thinking rescues them and the three of them run
away into the night but the bushrangers are in hot pursuit and Britter is
wounded. Humphrey's intervention saves him from being murdered and the three of
them stagger away in the dark and rain to a place of safety.
Disappointment awaits them when they arrive at the
closest habitation only to find it deserted and the route to Windsor cut off by
flood. Britter suggests that they go back home as the farmer would return before long and the bushrangers would be quick in making their escape. They
return to the farm to find other strangers there and the homestead badly
damaged by fire.
There is an episode in the book where the two children
decide to 'reform' their friend Britter and ask him to promise never to resort
to stealing again - the crime for which he was transported to Australia in the
first place. He was a little resentful at the time at the presumption he was
still a thief, but the tables were later turned when they arrived at the
deserted town. Ravenous with hunger, Humphrey suggests forcing a window and
helping themselves to some food but Britter would have none of it.
'But I am so hungry!' Humphrey tried again, on a
plaintive note.
'So was I when I stole the plum-pudding,' replied
Britter, quite unmoved. 'But they sent me to Botany Bay for it. No you don't!
You don't catch me stealing nothin'. You wanted to reform me, didn't you? Well,
you has, see! And a reformed felon has to be as careful of his reputation as
any dainty miss in her first season. Why, buck up, man! A little hunger won't
hurt you. And I ought to know!
Tighten your belt, lad, and shut your mouth! And when you
are a man remember this day and start a movement for every judge to try a
little fasting himself before condemning any man to death for stealing a bite
of food.'
The book would probably be most enjoyed by children
around 10 to 12 years of age and both boys and girls would appreciate the tale,
so don't be put off by the title. It is a story centred around a young girl but
the author allows other characters to also take centre stage and in so doing
has broadened the story's appeal.
Governor Macquarie is portrayed as a humane man who
endeavoured to deal justly with the convicts. Some background information on
his time in office is given here.
The book would fit well chronologically in Term 1 of
Ambleside Online Year 5 (early 1800's).