Pages viii + 180.
Small square label patch/shadow to the front board lower corner.
Board corners are gently bumped.
Gilt titling to the spine band is slightly dulled.
Ex Libris plate to the front pastedown with a scar removing the owner's name.
Tanning to the end-papers. Paperblock fore-edge is untrimmed.
Arriving in Cape Town on Oct. 10 1899, Mr. Steevens lost no time in proceeding up country. One of his most interesting letters was sent from Burghersdorp, where he interviewed the Dopper parson editor of the Dutch newspaper, who, it is stated "sluices out weekly vials of wrath upon Hofmeyr and Schreiner for 'machinating' to keep patriot Afrikanders off the oppressing Briton's throat."The author says the minister was 'a very charming, courteous old gentleman, well informed, and his political bias... mellowed with an irresistible sense of humour," who remarked, "They call m e rebel. But I ask you, my friend is it natural that I - I, Hollander bore, Dutch Afrikander since '60 - should be as loyal to the British Government as a Britisher should be...I am a law abiding subject of the Queen, and that is all they can ask of me... I look on this war as the sequel of 1881. I have told them all these years, it is not finished; war must come." Mr. Steevens was present at the Battle of Elandslaagte and that the Boer prisoners "were manly and courteous, and through their untrimmed beards and rough corduroys, a voice said very plainly 'Ruling Race'. These Boers might be brutal, might be treacherous; but they held their heads up like gentlemen." The author was besieged in Ladysmith and gives a vivid account of the investment. The last chapter of the volume was contributed by Mr. Vernon Blackburn, and contains some account of the death and funeral of Mr. Steevens, with some appreciative notes on his character, abilities and work. [Mendelssohn, Vol Two, p432-433].
- Binding Condition: Good
- Overall Condition: Good
- Size: 8vo.
