A NATURALIST IN THE TRANSVAAL (1892)

xvi + 277 pages + 29 illustrations. Five pages of plates at rear, four of which are in full colour.

Original brown illustrated cloth binding with falcon on telegraph pole. Blocking in gilt to front board, and gilt lettering to spine. Frontispiece of Makapan's Cave with tissue guard. 

Contents clean. Rear hinge starting but binding still very good. Small circular marking on the spine tail. A very good copy.

"The impressions of a naturalist who, during a twelve months' business sojourn in the Transvaal... employed the whole of his leisure in... zoological recreation". The author sailed for the Cape in June 1890, and visited the South African Museum, which was presided over by his friend Roland Trimen, remarking, "It leaves nothing to be desired but greater space and more available funds for the acquisition of fresh specimens. One can form no adequate conception of the South African fauna from the present compulsory crowded contents of this building." On his arrival in the Transvaal he found the country suffering severely from the collapse of the "1889 Boom", and observes, "Johannesburg is now in sackcloth and ashes, the occupation of the company promoter is gone, mining companies close down almost daily, mining scrip is nearly valueless, and a settled apathy denotes the shareholder." Pretoria was described as having a population of British, Dutch, and German inhabitants, but no Boers. Of the latter the writer observes, "The Boer is a farmer, or, more correctly, a dweller on the veld, he loves solitude, and cares nothing for the outside world, he usually passes his time in riding about, or sitting in his house smoking and drinking coffee... To understand the Boer you must understand his theology, which rules his life and guides his actions, and you may as well fight him at once as seek to argue with his prejudices... It is generally thought, and especially in this country, that the Boers have a hatred for Englishmen. This is a fallacy, for, in spite of all that may be said and done, the Britisher is respected though not loved." The volume contains much valuable information respecting the birds and insects of the country, and there is an excellent account of the Magwambas, and of Zoutpansberg.' - Mendelssohn, Vol. I.