Chelsea

= Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner =

Ethel Turner was born in Doncaster, United Kingdom, 1872, however at the age of
nine (1881) she immigrated to Australia. She was the second child born in her family, her older sister being her only blood sibling named Lillian. Once her father died, her mother, now a widow remarried twice, therefore giving Ethel and Liesel seven more siblings, six of whom step brothers and one step sister. Both of her new husbands passed away, this event leading the female side of her family to immigrate to Australia. Ethel went on to complete high school and once finishing began writing for a Magazine named 'Parthenon'. The magazine lasted three years until it was sued and went out of business. Ethel then began writing her first children's novel 'Seven Little Australians' (originally entitled 'Seven Pickles') on the 23rd of January 1893, and completed it by October. Over the next few years the book was a success with many publishing companies lining up to buy it. The book was a household name and now still holds its place on the bookshelves in many families homes.

=**Seven Little Australians Plot...**= ===='Seven Little Australians' is a children's book which was written in 1893, then published in early 1894. The story is set in Sydney, 1880, and is based around the Woolcot family of seven children, and two parents. Mr Woolcot is a father in favour of running a houshold with military precision, this proving a struggle with their seven fun loving children. Judy (13), the leader of the group, is defined as 'undoubtable'. And with her brothers and sisters, Meg (16), Pip (14), Nell (10), Bunty (6), Baby (4) and 'the General' (the baby) they make for a very chaotic household.====

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The 'Seven Little Australians' was later created into a mini tv series, to the left is the first episode.
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=Characters:= ====**Judy (real name Helen):** Judy is 13 years old and the main protagonist in the book. Judy is known as "Fizz" to most of the children and is quite strong minded and persuasive. She is the one in the family who does not care about the rules and not afraid to break them, this getting her into a lot of trouble throughout the book. Her favourite sibling is Pip and she makes this very obvious to her other siblings, however because of this she can come across as rude.==== ====**Meg (real name Margaret):** Meg is 16 and the oldest child in the family. However despite being the eldest, she cannot be "expected to be much of a disciplinarian". However because of her age she is to fulfil the role of a maid in the house, however this really only consists of putting dinner of the table. Meg is trustworthy at the most part but still a kid so of course has her flaws. She comes across as self-conscious and "innocent to the outside world" however later becomes quite confident. Although only sixteen she is like a mother to the children and they usually will listen to her guidance when told what to do and not to do.==== ====**Pip (real name Philip):** Pip is the eldest son, a 14 year old boy often described of as a boy with "an exquisite child-angel face". He is seen as Judy's partner in crime however he is very aware of the consequences of her antics and in most cases is not blamed for the outcome. He is very loyal to Judy, and his other siblings and because of this he is also very respected.==== ====**Nell (real name Elinor):** Nell is 10 years old, and also described as a beautiful child. She has wavy golden hair and "soft hazel eyes". She is not as a boastful person, her parents made sure of this from a young age.==== ====**Bunty (real name John):** Bunty is 6 years old and described as "fat and lazy". He is very much a follower and usually does whatever his fellow siblings do, however that does sometimes get him into some trouble. He perceives himself as quite innocent, but also a "comic", this meaning he is usually overly dramatic. He is also described as an 'arrant little story teller' this meaning he is sometimes found to lie about events to get himself out of trouble, however after lying he immediately feels bad and seeks forgiveness for his wrong doing, 'dirty faced, heavy hearted'. He is very loyal to his siblings although they don't seem to notice, this loyalty sometimes getting him into trouble.==== ====**Baby (real name Winifred):** Baby is four years old and the second youngest of the children, making his nickname quite ironic. She generally will do whatever her siblings do however this sometimes getting her into a bit of trouble as she does not really understand what is right and wrong. However she does not get into as much trouble as her other siblings as she is only young, she does however attain punishments due to something that her siblings may have done. She is very innocent and rarely does anything purposely, her weakness being making 'The General" cry, however despite this she is the most well behaved of the children.==== ====**'The General' (real name Francis)**: 'The General' is the youngest of the children and the only 'blood' son of Esther. He sometimes finds himself in the middle of the children's plans and often gets them into trouble. Baby is seen as a joke to much of the family, "The captain generally laughed when he saw it, tossed it in the air, then asked someone to take it quickly". And the kids treated him as if he was a doll. " The children dragged it all over the country with them, dropped it countless times, forgot its pelisse on wet days, muffled it up when it was hot, gave it the most astounding things to eat, and yet it was the healthiest, prettiest and most sunshiny baby that ever sucked a wee fat thumb."==== ====**Captain (John) Woolcot:** The children's ex-military father of whom is strongly in favour of running a family with military precision. He is not afraid to hand out punishment however the kids will do whatever they can to change his mind. He proves himself to be a stubborn, and one minded character, of whom is also feared by the children.==== ====**Esther:** Esther is the Generals mum, however by law the step mum of all the children. She is 20 years old, and quite different to Captain Woolcot in the way that she does not generally favour his way of parenting. She more often than not overlooks the children's misbehaviour and also tries to convince Captain Woolcot to do the same. Although 'The General' is the only child of her own, she treats all of the children as if they were her own.====

The Scarlet Pimpernel:
It is a brisk morning, the cold air is biting at my fingers however I do not care as the day has come; the Aristos are being killed. It smells very richly of smoke and sweat, a normal scent, however I look forward to the stench of blood, a strong smell of which will clarify the day’s events. I just ate a delicious pork dish, with some brandy and bread, a dish I could get used to, and will get used to in the future. As I eat, the drums chant, their loud thuds a deafening sound. I am standing behind them, not a very convenient placement for an eager spectator.

The tumbril has passed through the archway; so I quickly scan the crowd looking for a small gap where I can vaguely observe the day’s celebrations, then spot a small aperture right in front of the Guillotine. Quickly I walk over, then stand and watch attentively as the first man is pulled off of the tumbril. I can still taste the brandy in the back of my throat as I watch the soldiers push him onto the platform, the morning chill no longer bothering me as I squeeze myself between two rather large women. I can feel their pulses on the side of my body as I cheer, I would say they are quite fast, it must be their first time watching. His head is now on the Guillotine; I cannot contain my excitement! I jump and cheer even louder than before, however then attain a glance from the soldier and pull myself back, I need to remember this is a civilized event. He looks calm, the aristocrat, as if he feels he is getting out of this. Despite this I see the guard nod as he has done many times previously, and down slices the Guillotine blade, “Off with his head!” I scream, another glance pierces me and I know if I do not stop I will be next. I continue to cheer as an evolutionary guard grabs the severed head by its hair and chants, “Long live the republic!” I chant along, “Death to the Aristocrats!” I decide this event is deserving of another brandy, or perhaps a cup o’ wine, hell, why not both! As I walk over I smell the blood of an aristocrat and cannot help but smile, freedom and equality is now officially a human right.

=Five Questions for Captain Woolcot: = At the moment no. I am strongly in favour of running a household with military precision and because of this my family should be under control, however are not. For all of those families out there who are struggling with misbehaving children I shall give you a tip, be stern and be strong, this should work however my children seem to be something of another species as they do not seem to be responding. In my opinion none of my children are 'perfect' or 'well behaved' however if i was to name one I can stand and accept as one of my children it would be Pip. I may think of him because I havent caught him breaking a rule yet however as of now he would be the most behaved of the children. No I dont think so, there is no use in punishing a child if they wont become upset, it is a given that they will label you as 'unfair', or 'worst father ever' however if that is what you have to put up with for a smooth running household so be it. I do not believe that there is such thing as a perfect child, however I can certainly say if there was one, it wouldn't be one of my children, who would've thought! With me being their father and all I would think they would have attained some ounce of my genes but apparently I was wrong. What was the question again, ah wait, I remember, in my opinion a perfect child would consist of a sponge like brain, an angel-like face, and also know where the boundaries lie. I have enacted this punishment many times and it seems to get the message across so yes i am very much in favour of it. a scar may be left on the child however when looking at it they will always remember why they got it this making it very effective.
 * 1- Do you believe that your family represents something of a 'model household'? **
 * 2- Who, out of your seven children, do you believe is the most well behaved? **
 * 3- Do you believe the punishment you enforced on the children (not allowing them to go to the Pantomime) was harsh? Did you ever consider letting them go? **
 * 4- What traits do you consider make a perfect child? **
 * 5- Are you in favour of physical punishment e.g whipping or bashing. **

Five facts about the "Seven Little Australians"

 * 1-** Ethel Turner, after having success with the 'Seven Little Australians', wrote three sequels, one based around the naughtiest of all the children, Judy. This book is about Judy's experience in boarding school and is called 'Judy and Punch'. One about Meg, named 'Mother Meg' and another named 'The Family of Misrule' which was a sequel about the whole family.
 * 2-** Only six children remain at the end of the book.
 * 3-** Captain Woolcot's wife in the book, Esther, is only four years older than their eldest child, meg, Esther being 20 and Meg, 16.
 * 4- T**here is now 16 different covers for the book, however throughout them all no word has been changed and the publishers have always remained true to the book.
 * 5-** This book was published one hundred and twenty one years ago, a century and two decades.

=**Wikilossary:**=
 * 1) As the story book parlance has it. (parlance)- pg 36- a particular way of speaking or using words, especially a way common to those with a particular job or interest.
 * 2) Sermons- pg 36- a talk on a religious or moral subject, especially one given during a church service and based on the bible.
 * 3) Litanies-pg 36- a series of petitions for use in church services or processions, usually recited by the clergy and responded to in a recurring formula by the people.
 * 4) Pious fervour- pg 39- Pious- devoutly religious. fervour- intense and passionate feeling. pious fervour- passionate about their religion?
 * 5) Vexedly- pg 40- difficult and much debated- problematic.
 * 6) Querulously- pg 40- complaining in a rather petulant or whining matter.
 * 7) Croup, or rheumatism (croup, rheumatism)- pg 41- Croup- inflammation of the larynx and trachea in children, associated with infection and causing breathing difficulties. Rheumatism- any disease marked with inflammation and pain in the joints, muscles, or fibrous tissues, specially rheumatoid arthritis.
 * 8) Conscience qualms (qualms)- pg 42- an uneasy feeling of doubt, worry or fear, especially about ones conduct.
 * 9) Eschewed- pg 42- deliberately avoid using; abstain from.
 * 10) Ensconced- pg 45- establish or settle in a comfortable, safe place.
 * 11) Vituperation- pg 46- bitter and abusive language.
 * 12) Portmanteau- pg 48- a large travelling bag, typically made of stiff leather and opening into two equal parts.
 * 13) Peccadilloes- pg 51- a relatively minor fault or sin.
 * 14) Hitherto- pg 54- until now, or until the point in time under discussion.
 * 15) Surreptitiously- pg 55- kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of.
 * 16) Pert- pg 63- (of a girl or young woman) attractively lively or cheeky.
 * 17) Insinuatingly- pg 68- suggest or hint (something bad)
 * 18) Equivocation- pg 72
 * 19) Magnanimously- pg 78in an indirect and unpleasant way.
 * 20) Sinful propensities- pg 91- Sinful- wicked and immoral; committing or characterized by the committing of sins. Propensities- an inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way. Sinful Propensities- acting in a wicked or immoral way more than someone usually would. ?
 * 21) Idjut- pg 95- a Norwegian publisher.
 * 22) Perform her abulations (abulations)- pg 106- an act of washing oneself.
 * 23) Superfluous- pg 111- unnecessary, especially through being more than enough.
 * 24) Melancholy- pg 125- a feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause.
 * 25) Expostulations- pg 128- express strong disapproval or disagreement.
 * 26) Mulcted- pg 128 - extract money from (someone) by fine or taxation.
 * 27) Convolvulus leaves (convolvulus)- pg 133- a twining plant with trumpet shaped flowers.
 * 28) Bullock-dray- pg 135- Bullock- a male domestic bovine animal that has been castrated and is raised for beef. Dray- a truck or cart without sides, for delivering beer barrels or other heavy roads. Bullock-dray- a sideless cart that at the moment is carrying a cow of whom is raised for beef.
 * 29) Brandishing- pg 144- wave or flourish (something, especially a weapon) as a threat in anger or excitement.
 * 30) Billowy frills of torchan- pg 148 Billowy- a large, undulating mass of something. Therefore Billowy frills of torchan must be a piece of clothing featuring a large amount of frills.
 * 31) Donned- pg 148- to put on an item of clothing.
 * 32) Titivate- pg 148- to make minor enhancements to.
 * 33) Guileless- pg 151- devoid of guile (guile- sly or cunning intelligence), innocent and without deception.
 * 34) Corduroy- pf 152- A thick cotton fabric with velvety ribs.
 * 35) Laconically- pg 152- to say or use very few words.
 * 36) Talisman- pg 158- an object, typically an inscribed ring or stone, that is thought to have magic powers and bring good luck. A lucky charm.
 * 37) Loftily- pg 159- An imposing height.
 * 38) Mackintoshes- pg 167- A full-length waterproof coat.

=Interesting things:=
 * "for the morrow"- tomorrow
 * "rabbit jerund drekaly"- spoken with an australian accent.
 * late days- lately
 * The Daily Telegraph newspaper is featured in the book.

=

Quotes:= "Oh that I was where I would be; Then I would be where I am not; But where I am I sill must be, where I would be I cannot" (spoken by Judy, pg 151)