HANDWRITTEN LETTER BY JOHN BIRD TO CHARLES AKEN FAIRBRIDGE REGARDING THE DELAY IN PRINTING HIS "ANNALS OF NATAL" (1889)

John Bird (1815–1896) was a prominent colonial civil servant, magistrate, and historian. He is best remembered for compiling and publishing "The Annals of Natal, 1495 to 1845" (published in two volumes in 1888). This monumental work remains one of the most foundational and valuable primary source records for the early history of KwaZulu-Natal.

The letter is addressed to his brother-in-law Charles Aken Fairbridge (1824-1893) who was a conservative member of the Parliament of the Cape of Good Hope. He was best known as a prominent book collector of the period and his valuable collection was later donated to the South African Library.

"Dear Mr. Fairbridge,

There has been as much delay in the printing of the "Annals of Natal" - that my promise to send you a copy is nearly a year overdue. 

As you are going abroad I have been a little puzzled how to address a note or packet to you. But to make sure (two strings to the bow) I send this note to Mrs. Valentin's care and the packet to that of Mr. W. P. Sutherland, 4 Great George Street, Westminster. I fear the "Annals" will fail of being attractive to those who have no concerns in our colony, but here they have found no little favour with old colonists; the press became "gushing"; the contagion spread, and impacted out legislative council, and, in addition to the sum originally provided from public funds for the work of the compilation, they voted a handsome gratuity to me last week: - a strange thing for a legislature to do, but that is their affair: to me the vote is very welcome, both as a recognition, and as a useful gift.

Your letter of 24 April reached me a few days ago. Thank you very much for your present of old Quarles (Francis Quarles). Any work in old English has an attraction for me, not only on account of the merit which has handed it down to posterity, but because I have long felt that, without being intimate with the English of the past, no one can know the strict sense and value of English works at the present day. Apart from the worth of the little volume, it will keep me reminded of you and yours, and of my visiting with relations far, far away. Give them all my best wishes and kind remembrances. 

Certainly my trip to Europe, full, brim full, of incident in every way, had also much value to me in enabling me, though but for once, to be in converse with those to whom my dear wife was so attached, and of whom she always spoke with warm affection.

Yours sincerely,

John Bird.

27 Burger Str.,

Pietermaritzburg, Natal,

17th June 1889.

I fear that my writing (75) is becoming very shaky, and difficult to read."

Bird refers to a packet that he sent to the care of Mr. W. P. Sutherland - the packet containing a copy of his "Annals" which he promised Fairbridge. The short note glued to the packet, in brown paper wrapping, was carefully cut out and kept along with this letter. It reads, "Book-post. Printed matter only. J. Bird."