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This collection comprises scripts for "The Bushranger" by James McDonald. The plot of the play outlines a gang of five bushrangers who came to Australia as convicts, or in seek of fortune and escaping the "cruel and oppressive" laws of England. Having found that gold is more scarce than they had been led to believe, they intend to kidnap a young woman, Ellen Moore. Moore is the heroine of the story, having emigrated with her family to Australia after having fallen on hard times. The story also features "the monkey" whose purpose in the play was to provide slapstick comedy. This play demonstrates the presence of the Australian Bush and convict life in the artistic consciousness of the English audience. The play outlines opinions of England's laws as oppressive, and mentions the "liberal" nature of shipping criminals to the other side of the world at the crown's expense, but due to the presence of the heroine as hardworking in opposition to the convicts, it is likely that this sought to portray the convict classes of Australia and the people who criticised the system in a poor light.