Scandal in the Colonies: Sydney and Cape Town, 1820-1850The hidden stories of two Australian port towns rife with gossip and dubious reputations are uncovered in this history. This study argues that colonial societies offered European settlers the chance to invent new identities, an opportunity they exploited with a vengeance which ultimately influenced imperial policy and became a key element in the emergence of a society deeply divided by class and race. Touching on the themes of masculinity and commercial culture, female sexuality in civil litigation, and gossip in political culture, this study offers a fresh and engaging approach to colonial history. |
Contents
The Wylde affair | 17 |
Claiming status | 46 |
conducting business | 69 |
The taint of bondage 12 | 121 |
Towards Respectability | 180 |
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Common terms and phrases
acceptable accusations action affair amongst appeared asserted associated attack Australian authorities behaviour Breda Britain British brought Cape Town century character charges cities claimed Cole colonial society colonists committee concerned conduct connections convict court culture daughter defend distinction domestic Dutch economic effect emigration empire English established evidence eyes female force gossip Governor honour House Ibid imperial importance included increasingly influence involved issue John June Justice labour Letters lived Lyons manner marriage married master means middle moral mother nature Office particularly period political Porter position practice promise question reform relations relationship remained representative reputation respectability result Rule rumours Salia scandal sexual slavery slaves social South Wales sphere status story Sydney took trade transportation visiting wife witnesses woman women Wylde Wylde’s