Mounted Infantry escorting the Governor to the Exhibition

Two black and white engraved illustrations from the 'The Graphic', which was a British illustrated newspaper. The bottom engraving, which is the image of interest, and is titled 'Mounted Infantry escorting the Governor to the Exhibition', depicts the Victorian Mounted Rifles (in their characteristic slouch hats) escorting the governor to the Exhibition. The Victorian Mounted Rifles, formed in 1885, were raised from rifle clubs in country districts, each member supplying his own horse (which meant that the members of this group had to have a reasonably large income). In the foreground, the mounted infantry are depicted riding three abreast down a wide road. To the right, people are leaning out of windows to view the parade. In the lower left corner, soldiers of the Victorian Infantry are standing to attention with their bayonets pointed upwards. Two civilians are also watching the parade, one wearing a bowler hat, and the other a silk top hat. In the background, behind the mounted infatnry, is a coach peopled with passengers wearing top hats. This coach is presumably carrying the governor.


The top engraving depicts a group of five people, both men and women, clustered in the lower right corner of the image. They are preparing to board a stage coach, which will take them to Melbourne so they can see the Melbourne Exhibition of 1885. To the left of the coach is a small colonial building with a verandah and a shingled roof. The sign above the door reads STOCKMAN'S HOTEL / W. RALSTON'; to the centre left, a man is carrying a heavy container.