island and colony, formerly calledVan Diemen's Land. The new name, from that of the Dutchnavigator, Abel Jansen Tasman, was officially adopted in 1853,when the system of transportation ceased. The first quotationsshow it was in popular use much earlier.
1820. Lieut. Charles Jeffreys, `Delineation of the Island ofVan Dieman's Land,' p. 1:
«Van Dieman's Land, or Tasmania, is an island of considerableextent.»
1823. `Godwin's Emigrant's Guide to Van Diemen's Land, moreproperly called Tasmania':
[Title.]
1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales,' vol. i.p. 8:
«Over Van Diemen's Land (or Tasmania, as we love to callit here), New South Wales enjoys also many advantages.»
1852. G. C. Mundy, `Our Antipodes' (edition 1855), p. 491:
«Tasmania is a more musical alias adopted by the island.It has been given in titular distinction to the first bishop,my excellent and accomplished friend Dr. Nixon, and willdoubtless be its exclusive designation when it shall havebecome a free nation.»
1892. A. and G. Sutherland, `History of Australia,' p. 41:
«The wild country around the central lakes of Tasmania.»