Nicholson, Maria, fl 1859-1861 : Letters to Elizabeth Hall, from New Plymouth and Nelson

She describes the voyage out on the Eclipse, 1858-1859, and her first impressions of New Plymouth and its inhabitants. Her comments on colonial society are detailed and perceptive

Maria came to New Zealand in 1859 on the Eclipse as governess to the family of the Rev H H Brown, a clergyman at Omata, New Plymouth. In 1860 she was evacuated to nelson, and shortly afterwards dismissed from the Brown's service. Unable to pay her fare back to England, she reluctantly worked as governess to Lulu Eyes, the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in the province. Maria stayed with the Eyes family at Wairau for one year, She returned to England, having decided that the shortage of artistic talent together with the burden of domestic work was not to her liking

Quantity: 1 volume(s).

Physical Description: Typescript (27 cm; blue cloth)