Travels in the Interior of South Africa comprising 15 years' Hunting & Trading

Starting from Natal, Mr Chapman traversed the eastern portion of the Orange Free State by three distinct routes, and pursuing his travels through the Western Transvaal and Bechuanaland, penetrated up to the almost unknown regions of Matabeleland. He also visited Walvisch Bay and Lake N'gami,and journeyed through the country of the Namaquas and Damaras. At the outset of his travels, the author started "with the design of settling in either the Orange River Sovereignty, now The Free State, the Transvaal country, or wherever else I might find it most eligible to establish myself", but on his arrival at Potchefstroom, then the capital of the Transvaal (1849), he found that it was rarely visited by Englishmen. "Not one of whom was allowed to settle there." He found means, however, to propitiate the Landrost, who informed him that the prejudice against the British was the result of what had occurred in Natal, "the consequences," he affirmed.... "of having allowed individuals like myself to settle in the among the Boers of Natal, having been the expulsion of his countrymen, and the like result must be expected from permitting Englishmen to settle in the Transvaal."

Mr. Theal remarks ("History of South Africa, 1834-1854"), that this book "is as unfriendly to the emigrant farmers as even the celebrated work of Dr. Livingstone." Mr.Chapman remained in the country for about two years, " compelled by circumstances to live in a community, the society of which was far from congenial to my disposition and habits, and suffering annoyances and persecutions which rendered my position almost intolerable." Individually, however, the author appears to have been exceedingly friendly with many of the farmers; he mentions the "kindness and hospitality" with which he was entertained by them, and evidently formed a high opinion of their character as sportsmen.

He gives some account of the Transvaal at this period, and it is significant that he remarks on " the assumption of the Transvaal Boers that all the country from the Orange River north to an extent unlimited, and from sea to sea, belongs to them,and only waits the occupation which their roving propensities, and the increasing demands of pasture for their cattle, will in time nesessitate." Few South African books give better descriptions of the sport of the country and the habits and customs of the native races inhabiting the vast areas traversed, and throughout the volumes there are copious notes on the flora and fauna of the countries visited, amplified by the contents of a valuable index, enriched with extracts from the works of able writers.

SOURCE. Mendelssohn. Volume 1 pages 321-2.

Full polished contemporary leather boards with four raised ribs to decorated spines. Gilded lettering to spine-two tone leather to spine. Green endpapers, with trimmed edges to pages. Marble top edge untrimmed. Map to Volume I has been cut and trimmed. Map to Volume 2. untrimmed.

Volume 1. Halftitle. Frontisiece with tissue guard. Title. Preface. Contents. List of Illustrations. Trimmed Map. xiii plus 454 pages.

Volume 2. Halftitle. Frontispiece with tissue guard. Title. Folding Map.Contents. Appendix. List of Illustrations. viii plus 489 pages.

Crisp illustrations, tightly bound. Very clean copy.