The Settlers' Guide - in store this week!

Dislocated your jaw while praying? Insert a fork handle on either side of the mouth. Choosing a wet nurse? On no account pamper her or allow her to take on airs.

This is just some of the medical advice given by Dr William Bell to the colonists of New South Wales.

Born in Ireland in 1815, Dr Bell studied medicine at London's Royal College of Surgeons, then came to Sydney in 1839.

He wrote The Settlers' Guide in 1849 to enable those in medical need to help themselves or others in times of difficulty. Warming to his task, The Settlers' Guide eventually contained more that 85,000 words and is in two parts. He advertised it as "soon to be published" but sadly, this did not occur.

The manuscript was lost for 160 years, until Lois Sabine discovered it at the bottom of a box of papers in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.

We're delighted to be stocking Lois' newly published book in our online store. Read more about The Settlers' Guide.

Secondhand books added to our online shop

Irish Wattle has added second hand books to its online shop and will be adding many more soon!

For example, "A Source of Inspiration and Delight: The Building of the State Library of NSW since 1826" by David J Jones, see left.

'An unfailing source of inspiration and delight' was how Havelock Ellis described the library over 100 years ago. Today's reader will delight in this lively and entertaining account of the State Library from its earliest days - in warehouses, 'dingy caverns' and 'awful dungeons' - to its latest elegant buildings in Sydney's Macquarie Street.

David Jones tells of the battle for buildings which were never built, and the stories behind those that were. How the fate of the Bronze Doors was sealed on a golf course. And many more anecdotes. The terrific book also takes the reader on a tour, in words and pictures, through the new complex, fully documenting each feature of this intriguing library.

This year the Mitchell Library at the State Library of New South Wales celebrates its centenary. Read about the exhibition here.

St Patrick's Day tomorrow!

Irish Wattle is looking forward to St Patrick's Day tomorrow and the parade in Sydney on Sunday!

The whole world is going green!

British Library orders The Irish Vanguard

Irish Wattle is delighted to receive an order overnight from the British Library.

A copy of The Irish Vanguard is now winging its way to the library in London we love so much.

Barbara's publications are now stocked in many overseas libraries, including Trinity College Dublin, Queens College Belfast, Cork City Library and, believe it or not, The Hague!