MEMOIR OF BISHOP MACKENZIE

Second edition: 388 pages + 7 pages - appendix, frontispiece portrait, 3 folding maps, original brown cloth boards, titled gilt on the spine, corners bumped, embossed ownership stamp on the front free end paper, a good copy.

Mendelssohn (Sidney) South African Bibliography vol.1 page 947:Charles Frederick Mackenzie was born at Portmore, Peeblesshire, on April 10, 1825, and was educated at Edinburgh, Sunderland, and Cambridge University, graduating in 1848, and taking the rank of Second Wrangler. He became a Fellow of his College and was ordained in 1851, being for some time connected with the parish of Haslingfield. In 1854 Dr. Colenso offered him the position of Archdeacon to the diocese of Natal, and after some delay the offer was accepted, the episcopal party sailing on March 7, 1855, in the Jane Morice. Mr. Mackenzie was accompanied by his sister, and their letters and journals give an interesting account of the voyage. The letters to Mr. Goodwin afford much information respecting the general state of affairs in the Colony, and the dissensions in the diocese where Mackenzie remained from 1855 to 1859. hi the latter year he returned to England, and it was arranged that he should take charge of the Mission to Central Africa founded by the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and that he should be appointed " the first Missionary Bishop of the Church of England in modern times." He sailed for Cape Town on October 6, i860, and was consecrated at the Cathedral on January 1, 1861, the Bishops of St. Helena, Natal, and the Metropolitan of Cape Town taking part in the service.

Soon after he left for his destination via Natal, and on February 9 met Dr. Livingstone at Kongone. " The result of the consultation was rather disappointing ; Dr. Livingstone strongly dissuaded an immediate ascent of the Zambesi," and in deference to his advice, " the actual work of the mission was thus postponed." Eventually, a settlement was established at Magomero, and active missionary work was proceeded with, despite many difficulties with the natives. Early in 1862 Bishop Mackenzie visited an island in the confluence of the Ruo with the Shire, where he awaited the arrival of Livingstone ; here he was attacked by fever, and after about a fortnight's illness died on January 31. Before leaving Magomero he had made a will which contained directions for the administration of the mission in case of his death. The concluding chapter gives an analysis of the Bishop's character and abilities, special mention being made of his " utter unselfishness and thoughtful kindness," his humility and simplicity, and of the zeal and spirit with which he attempted " to carry out the great purposes committed to him."