Colonization of South Australia. By R. Torrens, Chairman of the Colonization Commission for South Australia

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London, Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green and Longman, 1835. Octavo, xvi, 304, xxii pages plus a folding frontispiece map ('Part of Southern Australia from the 132 to 141 degree of East Longitude', with an inset map of Australia, both hand-coloured in outline, 200 x 255 mm). Original plain papered boards, all edges uncut; spine later renewed (over a century ago) with matching paper, retaining the original paper title label (discoloured and chipped); extremities of the boards a little rubbed, bumped and worn; covers a little marked and discoloured, with three small light stains to the front cover; pastedowns replaced when binding repaired, with the original flyleaves, offset and very slightly foxed, tipped back in; half-title and title leaves a little offset; a very good copy (internally excellent). Ferguson 2056 (not noting the binding). Inscribed to 'The Honorable Fox Maule M.P. from the Author' at the head of the title page. The flyleaf carries the ownership signature of R. Kyffin Thomas 'from A.W. Piper / March 3, 1906'; a pencilled note from Piper presenting the item is loosely inserted. Robert Torrens (1780-1864), 'officer of marines, political economist and colonization commissioner'; his 'economic writings are of much importance in the development of economic theory' (DNB). In the preface to this book, he writes: 'The art of Colonization is based upon the science of wealth; and the rules of the art are principles of the science naturally applied. In replying to objections, and in explaining the plan, and in unfolding the prospects, of the New Colony, the Author was naturally, and indeed, necessarily, led into discussions upon some of the fundamental doctrines of Political Economy. In some of these discussions, as it is believed, new, and not unimportant views have been opened'. Not least, he was the father of Sir Robert Richard Torrens, the lands title law reformer after whom the Torrens system is named. Fox Maule (1801-1874), second Baron Panmure and eventually eleventh Earl of Dalhousie, 'sat in the House of Commons in the liberal interest in 1835-7 as MP for Perthshire'; Torrens retired from the House in 1835. Arthur William Piper (1865-1936) was a South Australian Supreme Court judge; [Sir] Robert Kyffin Thomas (1851-1910) was general manager and joint proprietor of the South Australian 'Register'. Seller Inventory # 80125

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