WAR NOTES

283 pages, half leather with red title label, gilt on spine, leather slightly rubbed around the edges, marbled end papers, leaf 269/270 repaired in the margin with some loss of text, 2 book plates on front paste down end paper and one of these duplicated on the front free end paper, a good copy.

Mendelssohn (Sidney) SOUTH AFRICAN BIBLIOGRAPHY volume 1 page 569:Villebois seems to have been thoroughly disillusioned before he lost his life at Boshof ; a brave and skilful soldier, he appears to have been disgusted with the procrastination of the Boers, and their want of decision, resolution, and union. He thought well of the abilities of De La Rey, but considered that Joubert was a mere politician. He seems to have had a great contempt for the British army and officers before the arrival of Lords Roberts and Kitchener, but speaks of the presumption of the Republicans in thinking that they would defeat these generals as easily as they did some of the previous leaders. He criticises Buller's operations, but continually draws attention to the very marked " carefulness " of the burghers, of whom he says, " The Boer's first concern is for his safety."