ZULULAND

First edition: viii, 232 pages, frontispiece, 2 plates, original green wavy grained cloth with blind decoration on the upper cover, titled gilt on the upper cover, rebacked with the original back strip laid down, embossed ownership stamp on the front free endpaper a good copy.

Published in 1862, this book appeared just as Anglican Church of Southern Africa was entering the controversy surrounding Bishop John William Colenso. These disputes concerned biblical interpretation, missionary policy, and engagement with Zulu society. Mason’s accounts reflect the wider challenge of reconciling traditional Christian doctrine with the practical realities of indigenous culture, including polygamy that Colenso approached more sympathetically than many of his contemporaries.

Mendelssohn (Sidney) South African Bibliography vol.1 page 992: After an absence of about eight years the author, accompanied by his wife, revisited Natal with the object of carrying out, at their own expense, a mission amongst the natives, for eighteen months. Mr. Mason remarks on the improvement and growth of Durban and Maritzburg since his former stay in the colony, and the general advancement in the prosperity of the inhabitants. The missionaries decided to carry out their plans on a small property acquired during Mr. Mason's former visit, and in a few weeks they had built a cottage and were actively engaged in attempting to instil some principles of religion and civilisation into the minds of the Zulu-Kaffirs. There is an account of the state of the black population, and of the experiences, travels, and adventures of the missionaries, together with much general information respecting the colony and its industries, and suggestions with regard to the management of the natives, &c. &c.