HISTORY OF THE ZULU WAR

And its origin

First edition: 491 pages, large folding coloured map of South Africa at the back of the volume, booksellers ticket on the front free end paper, original dark grey cloth titled gilt on the spine, simply repaired with cellotape along the back edge of the spine, top edge uncut, starting to wear at the hinges, corners bumped, a good copy.

Mendelssohn (Sidney) South African Bibliography vol.1 page 355 – 356: The work severely criticises the general policy of Sir Bartle Frere towards Zululand and its king, and it is maintained that the idea of the subjugation of the Zulus had occupied the minds of certain British statesmen since the year 1873, while it was well known that for certain reasons a war would be popular in Natal. It is asserted that the panic which existed in that colony was not a genuine one, and that " Natal cannot honestly claim to be guiltless in bringing about the war with the Zulus." Much is said regarding the coronation promises made by Cetywayo, but it does not appear that the King ever considered these in the light of a solemn engagement between the British and the Zulus, a contention supported by Lord Kimberley in the House of Lords in a speech delivered by him on March 26, 1879. Indeed some ridicule is cast upon the supposed solemnity of the coronation, and it is stated that " a pasteboard cloth and tinsel crown " was placed on the King's head, "the worthlessness of which he was perfectly capable of comprehending." 

The terms of the ultimatum to the Zulu king included the disbandment of his army and the extinction of the national military system, with other stipulations which would severely restrict the independence of the country. In spite, however, of the drastic nature of the demands, very little time was given for carrying them out, and preliminary arrangements having been made for the campaign, and the period allowed to Cetywayo having expired without reply, a notification was published in English and Zulu on January n, 1879, and hostilities were commenced by the invasion of the country by the British. The volume contains a full account of the war, including the battles of Isandhlwana, Rorke's Drift, and Ulundi, a chapter on the annexation of the Transvaal, and many others on subjects connected with the Zulu war and nation. There is also a letter addressed to Mr. Gladstone, written by James Green, Dean of Maritzburg, which deals with the war and the native unrest throughout South Africa, and deprecates the appointment of John Dunn as one of the Zulu chiefs. A large map of South Africa accompanies the volume.