Chapters XV-XIX Summary and Analysis

They visit the town of Wagga-Wagga where they are told the story of Sir Roger Tichborne and the butcher who claimed to be him. He was convicted of perjury and imprisoned. It wasn't until he was on his deathbed that he admitted the hoax. Twain was in London in 1873 when the trial was held. When he arrived in Australia he found that nobody remembered the the story.

The group visits Melbourne in Chapter XVI. It is a large city whose specialty is horse racing. The big race is on November 5, Guy Fawkes Day, and the festivities begin two weeks before. The race is for the Melbourne Cup. Twain compares Melbourne to America and thinks that Melbourne is more American than Sydney. He feels that Melbourne is the top novelty that Australia has to offer and gives the impression of...