TRAVELS IN SOUTH AFRICA (1822)

Near contemporary half tan calf with marbled sides. Flat gilt panelled spines. Early ink ownership inscription (1855) on front flyleaf of each volume.

Vol.I: xii + 322pp + directions to the binder & 3pp publisher's adverts.

Vol.II: 384pp.

Folding coloured map and 12 aquatint plates (all present). The hand-coloured aquatint plates in fresh state.

There is a split in the leather at the bottom front hinge of the spine of vol.I, and a split at the top front hinge of vol.II.

'Mr. Campbell, accompanied by Dr. Philip, left London for South Africa on November 10, 1818, and arrived in Cape Town on February 26, 1819, and after a stay of about two months, they were joined by Messrs. Evans and Moffat, and together proceeded to visit the missions in the Cape Colony and Kaffraria. These included Caledon, Pacaltsdorp, Bethelsdorp, and Theopolis, and as soon as the inspection was completed, Mr. Campbell returned to Cape Town, arriving on November 12. The second journey to the interior was started on January 18, 1820, and in the course of it visits were paid to Lattakoo (Kuruman), Mashow, and Griqua Town, the author penetrating to a city then named Kureechane, the site of which would appear to have been somewhere near the Waterberg mountains in the Transvaal. The inhabitants consisted of Bushmen, Corannas, and Bechuanas, and a map is provided, but it does not even faintly resemble a modern publication, and the river courses are not correctly traced. There are some particulars respecting what is designated "The Great Southern Zahara," most of which seems to have been comprised in what is now known as German South-West Africa: and there is an account of the natives, among whom there seems to have been constant friction. Mr. Campbell made the acquaintance of old Cornelius Kok and his son Adam, and among other well-known chiefs whom he met was "Africaner." After ten months' travel in the interior he started for Cape Town on November 10, and sailed for England on February 15, 1821, where (after being boarded by a privateer en route he arrived safely on May 10. The appendices to the work include "Some farther Particulars relative to the Wild Bushmen," "Additional Information respecting the Coranna Nation," and other articles, with a chapter on Bechuana tales. The author evidently regarded the folk-lore of the country with much contempt, and remarks, "The following absurd and ridiculous fictions are presented to the notice of the reader only because they exhibit in a striking manner the puerile and degraded state of intellect among the natives of South Africa. Who can contemplate the ignorance and imbecillity which marks this display of 'Bootchuana' literature, without the liveliest emotions of pity and concern?" Mr. Campbell mentions certain customs which exist among the natives, which appear to be of Jewish origin, and makes some observations on the alterations and improvements in the Cape Colony which had taken place since his previous visit.' - Mendelssohn Vol.I, page 255-256