Just a fortnight before Christmas 1871 a young man twenty-four years of age returned home to his dinner about eight o'clock in the evening.

Reproduction of the original.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1874.

The only Anthony Trollope tale set in Australia, ‘Harry Heathcote of Gangoil’ is a short story which follows the troubles of young sheep farmer Harry as he attempts to thwart his jealous and villainous former neighbours. Trollope drew on knowledge of Australian bush life he acquired during a year long trip there in 1871, and on the experiences of his son Frederic who had emigrated to Australia to become a sheep farmer himself. Set around the Christmas period this is a quick, fun read. Anthony Trollope (1815 – 1882) was a Victorian writer and author of 47 novels. He also wrote an autobiography, short stories and plays, travel articles, reviews and lectures. A prolific writer, he made no secret of the fact that money was his motivation for writing – an admission which raised eyebrows among his literary contemporaries at the time. The amount of works Trollope authored are testament to his belief in hard work. His first successful novel was The Warden followed by its sequel, Barchester Towers. The Chronicles of Barsetshire are perhaps his most well-known series of novels, though many of his works have been adapted for TV and radio, starring many familiar faces such as Alan Rickman, David Tennant, Bill Nighy and Tom Hollander. Alongside his literary career, Trollope also worked for some time for the Post Office and is credited with the introduction of the iconic post box to Britain. A memorial to Anthony Trollope was unveiled in Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey in 1993.

Harry Heathcote is running a 120,000 acre sheep station deep in the Australian bush. Harry has lost a strip of land between his station and the river to Giles Medlicot who has used it to construct a sugar plantation and mill. Because of this, relations are frosty between the two men. Harry's imperiousness has made him many enemies. On Christmas Eve, two disgruntled former employees start a fire on his land. Harry only has his aboriginal hand Jacko to help him avert disaster for the station, until Giles Medlicot lends his support.

This edited collection from a distinguished group of contributors explores a range of topics including literature as imperialist propaganda, the representation of the colonies in British literature, the emergence of literary culture in the colonies and the creation of new gender roles such as ‘girl Crusoes’ in works of fiction.

DigiCat presents the Anthony Trollope Christmas collection with the greatest stories author dedicated to this most beloved holiday season. Content: Christmas at Thompson Hall Christmas Day at Kirkby Cottage The Mistletoe Bough Not if I Know It The Two Generals Harry Heathcote of Gangoil Catherine Carmichael; or Three Years Running The Two Heroines of Plumplington The Widow's Mite The Telegraph Girl

First Published in 1995. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.