Skip to content

Diary of a Lady's Maid: Government House in Colonial Australia, Journals of Emma
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Diary of a Lady's Maid: Government House in Colonial Australia, Journals of Emma Southgate, 'Between Stairs' Servant, 1884-1886 Hardcover - 1995

by Emma Southgate; Helen Vellacott

From the publisher

A very busy day. Lord and Lady Carrington arrived from England. Miss Harbord, 3 Gentlemen in Suite, 3 children, two nurses, two maids, 2 valets. Every room occupied. 47 to dinner-in State dining room-and 500 in the evening. All went off capitally. We got to bed soon after 2 a.m.' The reliable, hard-working and loyal Emma Southgate began her diary when she journeyed across rough seas and under stormy skies from England to Australia in 1884. She travelled as lady's maid to Lady Loch, wife of the newly appointed Governor of Victoria. When they arrived in Melbourne and took up residence in the magnificent Government House, Emma had the presence of mind to continue her record of daily life. The legacy of her diligence is published here for the first time. Through Emma's words we can relive the halcyon days of colonial times: sumptuous parties in elegant ballrooms and receptions on rolling lawns; stylish travel through the colonies of Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and South Australia; holidays in a grand home at Mount Macedon; important international visitors; and the social whirl that accompanied occasions such as Melbourne Cup week.These events are charmingly described in Emma's diaries from a behind-the-scenes point of view-the weariness of having to serve tea to thousands of 'ladies and gentlemen', visits to the poor and excursions to the beach, illnesses among staff and the kindnesses of her employers. Emma's authentic evocation of her life sparkles. Unpretentious and forthright, Emma's words captivate the reader as they bring to life the people, the places and the times. Besides Emma's accounts, Helen Vellacott has placed the newspaper reports of the day that show the official view-often quite different from Emma's observations. In this way, and with intriguing additional comment and information, Diary of a Lady's Maid gives us an insight into early Australian society.

Details

  • Title Diary of a Lady's Maid: Government House in Colonial Australia, Journals of Emma Southgate, 'Between Stairs' Servant, 1884-1886
  • Author Emma Southgate; Helen Vellacott
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 280
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Melbourne University, Melbourne, Australia
  • Date October 1, 1995
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Illustrated
  • ISBN 9780522846980 / 052284698X
  • Themes
    • Cultural Region: Australian
    • Cultural Region: Oceania
  • Library of Congress subjects Australia - History - 1788-1900, Australia - Social life and customs
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 95229111
  • Dewey Decimal Code B

About the author

Helen Vellacott, after living in Queensland, New South Wales and Cambridge, inherited an old family home classified by the National Trust in the historic town of Castlemaine. Her house looks across Forest Creek where thousands of diggers and prospectors made their fortunes-or lost them-in the 1850s. Helen, a war widow, is a keen book lover, and as well as rare books collects antique emroidery and patchwork quilts. She is the author of A Girl at Government House, The Australian Country Kitchen and Some Recollections of a Happy Life: Marion North in Australia and New Zealand.
Back to Top↑

More Copies for Sale

Diary of a Lady's Maid
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Diary of a Lady's Maid

by Vellacott, Helen

  • Used
  • very good
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
1st Edition
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780522846980 / 052284698X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Chapter 1 Books
Johannesburg, South Africa
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$18.46
A$33.84 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Melbourne, 1995. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. The jacket is a bit worn and marked. Internally clean and tightly bound.. Our orders are shipped using tracked courier delivery services.
Item Price
A$18.46
A$33.84 shipping to USA
Diary of a Lady's Maid: Government House in Colonial Australia, Journals of Emma Southgate,...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Diary of a Lady's Maid: Government House in Colonial Australia, Journals of Emma Southgate, 'Between Stairs' Servant, 1884-1886

by Helen Vellacott

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780522846980 / 052284698X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Ergodebooks
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$24.44
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Melbourne University Publishing, 1995-10-01. Hardcover. Good.
Item Price
A$24.44
FREE shipping to USA
Diary of a Lady's Maid. Government House in Colonial Australia. Journals of Emma Southgate,...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Diary of a Lady's Maid. Government House in Colonial Australia. Journals of Emma Southgate, 'Between the Stairs' Servant, 1884-1886. Edited by Helen Vellacott

by Vellacott, Helen (ed.) [Emma Southgate]

  • Used
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used - F-
Edition
First Edition
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780522846980 / 052284698x
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mount of Alex - Arapiles Mountain Books
Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$25.00
A$42.00 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Carlton South: Melbourne University Press, 1995 F-/F-. 8vo. original charcoal boards gilt (inscrip. to FFE) in dustwrapper (a trifle rubbed); pp. xvi, 264 (last blank), with illustrations. A near fine copy.. First Edition. Hard Cover. F-/F-.
Item Price
A$25.00
A$42.00 shipping to USA
Diary of a Lady's Maid. Government House in Colonial Australia.

Diary of a Lady's Maid. Government House in Colonial Australia.

by Southgate, Emma; Vellacott, Helen (Edited by)

  • Used
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used -
Edition
1st Edition
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780522846980 / 052284698X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Adelaide Booksellers
Clarence Gardens, South Australia, Australia
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$25.00
A$26.00 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Carlton South: Melbourne University Press. 1995. Large octavo size [16x24cm approx]. Very Good condition in Very Good Dustjacket. DJ protected in our purpose-made clear archival plastic sleeve. A nice copy. Previous Owners Blind Stamp to half-title page. Illustrated with Black & White Photographs and Drawings. 263 pages. The reliable, hardworking and loyal Emma Southgate began her diary when she journeyed across rough seas and under stormy skies from England to Australia in 1884 to become Lady Loch's maid. Emma's authentic evocation of her life sparkes. Unpretentious and forthright, Emma's words captivate the reader as they bring to life the people, the places and the times. Beside Emma's accounts, the Editor has placed newspaper reports of the day that show the official view. Robust, professional packaging and tracking provided for all parcels. . 1st Edition. Hardback.
Item Price
A$25.00
A$26.00 shipping to USA
DIARY OF A LADY'S MAID GOVERNMENT HOUSE IN COLONIAL AUSTRALIA
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

DIARY OF A LADY'S MAID GOVERNMENT HOUSE IN COLONIAL AUSTRALIA

by Vellacott, Helen (edited by)

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780522846980 / 052284698X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
M & A Simper Bookbinders
WARRNAMBOOL, Victoria, Australia
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$30.00
A$45.00 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Melbourne University Press. 1995. Hardcover. 052284698X . Xv, 263pp, illustrations. Previous owner's name to front endpaper. Very good copy in very good dustjacket. Journals of Emma Southgate, 'Between Stairs' servant, 1884-1886. ; 235 x 155mm .
Item Price
A$30.00
A$45.00 shipping to USA
Diary of a Lady's Maid. Government House in Colonial Australia. Journals of Emma Southgate,...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Diary of a Lady's Maid. Government House in Colonial Australia. Journals of Emma Southgate, 'Between the Stairs' Servant, 1884-1886. Edited by Helen Vellacott

by Vellacott, Helen (ed.) [Emma Southgate]

  • Used
  • Hardcover
  • Signed
  • first
Condition
Used - F
Edition
First Edition
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780522846980 / 052284698x
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mount of Alex - Arapiles Mountain Books
Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$35.00
A$42.00 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Carlton South: Melbourne University Press, 1995 F/F-. 8vo. original charcoal boards gilt in dustwrapper (spine sunned); pp. xvi, 264 (last blank), with illustrations. A near fine copy. Flatsigned to title page 'Helen Vellacott'. A newspaper review is loosely enclosed.. Signed by Editor. First Edition. Hard Cover. F/F-.
Item Price
A$35.00
A$42.00 shipping to USA
Show all copies
Back to Top↑

Hang on… we’re fetching the requested page.