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Firstly: In the beginning it was my intent ion to \\'r ite a
comprehensive biography . Such an aim proved to be impossible owing to
the mass of material available and the need for continuity in the star·.
My approach to Hall's religious life, therefore, has been incons istent .
Where religious interests dominated his activities , as they did in
Westbury and Oatlands , I have drawn attention to them - in the case of
Oat lands at considerable length . However , after his return to Hobart TO\\n
in the early fifties , although he quickly became the Chief Catho lie Laymar: ,
I have mentioned his work in that area very little; any more would have
interrupted the story of his social , welfare and medical work .
Consequent ly , this important aspect of his life , remarkab le in itself,
has been left for someone else ·to write . At the same time it should not
be forgotten that his religious faith was the inspiration for his other
work .
Secondly: Many direct quotations are included de liberately
contrary , perhaps , to the accepted practice. Hall 's num erous pub lications
and his many letters to the press constitute a unique contribution to
Tasmaniana . Unfortunat ely they are scattered in libraries in Australia
and in England and are difficult to ob tain . S:Lnce this is an unhappy
oversight and a loss to Tasmania, which should be corrected , the inclusior
of extracts may show the variety and quality of his writing and incite an
interest 1n a collection of his work .
Thirdly: Th is study has been written from a woman 's viewpoint;
included sometimes are details which might be cons idered unnecessary to
the main theme , though meaningful and interesting to women . However ,
detail has been included only when it stresse a point I wished to make.
Fourthly: I am aware that I may be accus ed of being over­
SYmpathetic towards_ Hall . As I do not think this is a fair cr]ticis,
I wish to forestall it . Indeed, I have often fe lt that I have
underscored, in the interests of moderation and discipl ined writing , the
part he played . Certainly, no other man held the stage in Hobart Ton
for so long and so consistently as he did from 1855 to 1881 . For any
months after I began research I doubted and looked for the flaw in his
i.
character . At no time did I find it ; nor did I find any lessening of
his mental or moral strength , no matter what his age . Hence I came to
trust his faith and loyalty to his caus e, just as the people of Hobart
Town did. In this present age of cynicism, materialism and
permissiveness, we are apt to forget the idealism, enthus iasm and vigour
of the pioneering spirit which inspired men like Edward S\\•arbreck Hall.
The writing of this work has been a privilege .