THE RUIN OF ZULULAND

An account of British doings in Zululand since the invasion of 1879,

Being a Sequel to The History of the Zulu War by Frances Ellen Colenso and Lieut.-Colonel Edward Durnford.

2 volumes

First edition: vol. 1 380 pages; vol. 2 513 pages, laid down photographic portrait as frontispiece in both volumes, original blind stamped maroon cloth, titled gilt on the spines, which are very faded, a good set.

Mendelssohn (Sidney) South African Bibliography vol.1 page 356 – 357: It is stated that the Zulu war may be divided into three periods, the first of which is that treated of in " The History of the Zulu War," while this work covers the second and third periods. The authoress argues that, " had the restoration of Cetywayo been carried out in the kind and honest spirit in which it was conceived, long ere this the misery of Zululand would have been over." It is alleged that a certain portion of the inhabitants of Natal, assisted by the Government officials, had provoked the constant succession of wars and disputes between the British, the Boers, and the natives. Sir Bartle Frere, Mr. Shepstone, and others, are accused of having worked up an agitation which transformed a peaceful situation with the Zulus into a position which ostensibly demanded an army of defence as an urgent necessity ; and this latter being at last conceded by the home Government, no time was lost in changing the attitude of defence into one of offence, which resulted in " one of the most needless and disastrous campaigns which ever disgraced our arms."

In the second volume there is an interesting account of the visit of Cetywayo to England, and of his interviews with members of the Royal family and Lord Kimberley. The King spoke earnestly to the Colonial Minister on the subject of John Dunn's treachery and ingratitude, and asked that he should not be allowed to settle in the country ; he, however, agreed to the terms set forth, under which he was allowed to return to his kingdom. The work gives a clear account of the unhappy state of Zululand after the King's return until his death " again a prisoner " under the protection of the British Resident. The authoress, like her father and sister, was a strong champion of Cetywayo, and was greatly grieved and indignant at the intrigues which are stated to have led to the ruin and death of the Zulu king, who, she asserts, " stands out amidst all the chaos of South African blunders and wrongdoings ... as grand a figure as any in modern history. His faith in our England wrought his downfall and his death."