Published in the mid-1800s, Far Off; Or, Asia and Australia Described is exactly what it sounds like: a descriptive tour of continents most British readers would never see. Favell Lee Mortimer wrote it as part of a series to teach children about the wider world. She walks you through regions like India, China, Japan, and the fledgling settlements of Australia, painting pictures with words of landscapes, animals, cities, and the daily lives of the people who lived there.

The Story

There isn't a plot in the traditional sense. Think of it as a series of vivid, chapter-long snapshots. Mortimer acts as your guide, explaining everything from how tea is grown in China to what a kangaroo looks like in the Australian bush. She describes grand temples, bustling markets, and vast deserts. But the real 'story' is in her voice. She filters everything through her strong Christian missionary perspective and Victorian British values. She praises hard work and cleanliness where she sees it, and openly laments religious practices she doesn't understand. The book is a direct conversation with a 19th-century mind, showing you the world as she believed it to be.

Why You Should Read It

You don't read this book for accurate, modern facts. You read it to get inside a historical moment. It's a masterclass in perspective. Mortimer wasn't trying to be malicious; she was trying to be helpful and moral, according to her lights. That's what makes it so interesting. When she describes a culture, you learn just as much about Victorian England as you do about Asia. It's a reminder that every description is an interpretation. I found myself constantly pausing, thinking, 'Wow, that's how they saw it back then.' It's humbling and eye-opening. The prose itself is clear and often charmingly earnest, written to hold a child's attention, which makes it a surprisingly smooth read today.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for history buffs, especially those interested in the Victorian era, colonialism, or the history of travel writing. It's also great for anyone who enjoys primary sources that aren't dry official documents. If you like to see how attitudes have changed (or, sometimes, uncomfortably, how they haven't), you'll find this old text incredibly rewarding. It's not a casual beach read, but for a curious mind, it's a short, potent dose of time travel. Just be prepared to read between the lines.