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y separately published work icon The Marcus Clarke Memorial Volume selected work   poetry   short story   prose   biography  
Issue Details: First known date: 1884... 1884 The Marcus Clarke Memorial Volume
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Notes

  • Epigraph: 'After life's fitful fever, he sleeps well.' Macbeth
  • Dedication:

    To

    Archibald Philip Primrose,

    The Right Honourable

    The Earl of Rosebery,

    This volume

    is respectfully dedicated

    by

    Marian Clarke,

    in Remembrance

    of his

    kindness to her and her children.

    Melbourne, January, 1884.

  • This work includes six sections, with titles:

    Humorous and Satirical (From Humbug) pp.65-96, (From 'Peripatetic Philosopher.') pp.96-113; Bush Sketches pp.114-152; Melbourne Studies pp.153-193; Pathetic and Imaginative pp.194-235; Critical pp.236-283; Verses, Grave and Gay (includes 'Obituary Notices') pp.284-322.

  • Editor's note in 'Obituary Notices': The effect the untimely and unexpected death of Marcus Clarke had upon the Australian community generally is best shown by the following extracts from some of the leading journals in the colonies, and the memorial verses of two - his friends in heart and brothers in genius. They speak for themselves:-

Contents

* Contents derived from the Melbourne, Victoria,:Cameron, Laing , 1884 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
Lord Rosebery's Letter Accepting Dedication, Archibald Philip Primrose , single work correspondence
A letter to Mrs. Marian Clarke in which Lord Rosebery expresses his appreciation for her wish to dedicate the volume to him. He also discusses the impact Marcus Clarke's works had upon him personally, and his estimation of their cultural significance.
(p. ix-x)
The Biography, Hamilton Mackinnon , single work biography
Sketches Marcus Clarke's life, beginning with his birth in Kensington, London, in 1846, outlining his personal and professional life, and lamenting his untimely death.
(p. 2-63)
Our Glorious Climate, Marcus Clarke , single work prose humour
The story takes the form of the diary of a day, beginning at 5am and continuing through to 11pm, in which the vagaries of the weather and its effects upon the body are noted.
(p. 65-68)
A Merry Christmas, Marcus Clarke , single work short story humour
The narrator leaves work early on Christmas Eve so that he can call in to the shops and purchase some Christmas presents for his family. Upon leaving the store he finds his pocket has been 'picked'. He arrives home and opens the door upon domestic upheaval, with his wife and four children all coping with various disasters, and thus begins a very chaotic Christmas.
(p. 69-73)
Diary of a Drunkard, Marcus Clarke , single work short story humour
Diary entry of a day in the life of a drunkard who cannot cope with any situation unless fortified by alcohol.
(p. 73-75)
On Borrowing Money, Marcus Clarke , single work short story humour
'Borrowing' is a euphemism the narrator uses to describe his manner of acquiring whatever he may need or want.
(p. 75-77)
On Teetotalism, Marcus Clarke , single work short story humour
The narrator tells of how his alcoholism was 'cured' by observing the eating habits of a travelling teetotaller. The teetotaller had assured him that abstinence from alcohol would improve his constitution. The narrator was convinced by the man's ability to consume old Bullocky Joe's sausages, with 'doggy' dreams being the only consequence.
(p. 77-80)
On the Roaring of Colonial Lions, Marcus Clarke , single work short story humour satire
The narrator, Q., discourses on the habits of the self-proclaimed intellectuals of Australian colonial society.
(p. 80-83)
On Business Men, Marcus Clarke , single work short story humour satire
The narrator, Q., observes that to be a 'business man' is the pinnacle of success and achievement in life. He laments that, regardless of what else he has accomplished, he is a failure because he does not have a business head.
(p. 83-87)
On Loafing Around, Marcus Clarke , single work short story humour satire
The narrator chronicles his observations of people who have developed the talent of enjoying life without having to expend much of their own efforts or money.
(p. 87-90)
On Bazaars, Marcus Clarke , single work short story humour satire
'A Bazaar', comments the narrator, 'is a place where you buy things you don't want, for the benefit of people you dont [sic] care about, and pay ten times more for them than you do anywhere else'. They are, however, wonderful occasions for inspecting potential marriage partners.
(p. 90-91)
On Friendship, Marcus Clarke , single work short story humour satire
'Friends as a rule are a mistake' proclaims Q., the narrator, for 'they are too expensive'. He has also found that friends require deft handling in order not to cause unintended offence. He has therefore forsworn them, 'except as a gentle stimulant and in case of sickness'.
(p. 92-94)
On Relationships, Marcus Clarke , single work short story humour satire
Parents, aunts, uncles, in-laws all present different challenges, according to the narrator, but most difficult of all are the cousins.
(p. 94-96)
New Chums, Marcus Clarke , single work short story
'What becomes of all the New Chums?' ponders the narrator. Though they arrive in droves, they soon meld unobserved into the scramble of colonial life and become indiscernible.
(p. 96-99)
The Theory of Gastric Juice, Marcus Clarke , single work short story humour satire

Believing it incumbent upon himself to 'own a theory', as this is the fashion of the day, the narrator settles upon a theory of 'Gastric Juice'. He proposes that the key to success or failure, greatness or obscurity, resides in whether or not a person's gastric juices are in a healthy state.

(p. 99-102)
Modern Boys, Marcus Clarke , single work short story humour
Reflecting on the buoyant and carefree nature of boys, the narrator laments the passing of time and lapses into nostalgic reminiscing. He expresses his hope that modern boys will not squander their youth as he and his generation did.
(p. 102-103)
Democratic Snobbery, Marcus Clarke , single work short story humour
The narrator disparagingly describes the attitudes of certain educated elites who espouse one set of values, but practice another.
(p. 103-104)
Sharebroking, Marcus Clarke , single work short story humour satire
A description of the working life of a 'sharebroker', and the daily demands of such employment.
(p. 104-105)
The Parochial Committee-Man, Marcus Clarke , single work short story humour
A sketch of a 'typical' committee-man, who is a paragon of public and private virtue always willing to volunteer his help. However, upon such a man's death, it will often be found that he has stealthily been pilfering money or goods from those he has helped.
(p. 106)
Carmen, Marcus Clarke , single work short story humour
A description of the nature and propensities of carriage drivers in which Australian 'carmen' are found to be more agreeable than the English, although both are found wanting in several ways.
(p. 106-107)

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

An Australian Literary Trio James Francis Hogan , 1886 single work review
— Appears in: An Australian Christmas Collection : Stories, Sketches, Essays 1886; (p. 104-113)

— Review of The Marcus Clarke Memorial Volume Marcus Clarke , Hamilton Mackinnon , Archibald Philip Primrose , 1884 selected work poetry short story prose biography ; A Forgotten Genius : Charles Whitehead : A Critical Monograph Mackenzie Bell , 1884 single work criticism ; The Life and Speeches of Daniel Henry Deniehy Daniel Henry Deniehy , 1884 selected work prose column
Marcus Clarke : Australian Author and Journalist Henry Gyles Turner , 1885 single work biography
— Appears in: Once a Month , 15 October vol. 3 no. 4 1885; (p. 241-246)
The Marcus Clarke Memorial Volume 1884 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Mail , 22 November vol. 38 no. 1272 1884; (p. 1032)

— Review of The Marcus Clarke Memorial Volume Marcus Clarke , Hamilton Mackinnon , Archibald Philip Primrose , 1884 selected work poetry short story prose biography
'This memorial volume is chiefly valuable as showing the extent of his kingdom. From grave to gay, from tragedy to comedy;... In verse and in prose he had the master's touch... The prose sketches are somewhat more satisfying; in one or two at least there has been more done in the way of touching the distinguishing facts of Australian life than by any other author, and it is always the touch of genuis...'
Untitled Henry Gyles Turner , 1884 single work review
— Appears in: Melbourne Review , October vol. 9 no. 36 1884; (p. 480-483)

— Review of The Marcus Clarke Memorial Volume Marcus Clarke , Hamilton Mackinnon , Archibald Philip Primrose , 1884 selected work poetry short story prose biography
An Australian Literary Trio James Francis Hogan , 1886 single work review
— Appears in: An Australian Christmas Collection : Stories, Sketches, Essays 1886; (p. 104-113)

— Review of The Marcus Clarke Memorial Volume Marcus Clarke , Hamilton Mackinnon , Archibald Philip Primrose , 1884 selected work poetry short story prose biography ; A Forgotten Genius : Charles Whitehead : A Critical Monograph Mackenzie Bell , 1884 single work criticism ; The Life and Speeches of Daniel Henry Deniehy Daniel Henry Deniehy , 1884 selected work prose column
The Marcus Clarke Memorial Volume 1884 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Mail , 22 November vol. 38 no. 1272 1884; (p. 1032)

— Review of The Marcus Clarke Memorial Volume Marcus Clarke , Hamilton Mackinnon , Archibald Philip Primrose , 1884 selected work poetry short story prose biography
'This memorial volume is chiefly valuable as showing the extent of his kingdom. From grave to gay, from tragedy to comedy;... In verse and in prose he had the master's touch... The prose sketches are somewhat more satisfying; in one or two at least there has been more done in the way of touching the distinguishing facts of Australian life than by any other author, and it is always the touch of genuis...'
Untitled Henry Gyles Turner , 1884 single work review
— Appears in: Melbourne Review , October vol. 9 no. 36 1884; (p. 480-483)

— Review of The Marcus Clarke Memorial Volume Marcus Clarke , Hamilton Mackinnon , Archibald Philip Primrose , 1884 selected work poetry short story prose biography
Marcus Clarke : Australian Author and Journalist Henry Gyles Turner , 1885 single work biography
— Appears in: Once a Month , 15 October vol. 3 no. 4 1885; (p. 241-246)
Last amended 18 Aug 2016 16:22:05
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