NARRATIVE OF A RESIDENCE IN SOUTH AFRICA

New Edition: xxxvi, 356 pages, map of ‘The ceded territory of the frontier with the District of Albany and part of Somerset’ as frontispiece, half maroon leather with a black title label and gilt decoration on the spine, red cloth sides. The frontispiece map is foxed with offsetting on the title page, otherwise the contents are clean and bright, a very good copy.

A.Lewin Robinson from his introduction to the facsimile reprint published by C. Struik & Co, Cape Town, 1966, ‘..and though he tells us that he weighed carefully the advantages of the several British Colonies before he fixed upon the Cape as the most suitable place to recoup the family fortunes, the introduction of and the publicity given in 1819 to the Government's scheme to establish settlers in the Eastern Districts of the Cape Colony must have considerably influenced him. That he did come to the Cape, albeit for only six years, we can be grateful, for though not perhaps a great man he was of more than ordinary ability and of the greatest integrity - no mean protagonist in the fight for truth and the relief of oppression. That he had his failings - principally a lack of tact and caution - will become apparent.'

Mendelssohn (Sidney) South African Bibliography vol 2, page 187/88 :The Pringle family decided to emigrate to South Africa, and they proceeded to the Cape in 1820, Thomas Pringle taking charge of the party as pro tempore leader. Their destination was a valley near "Baviaan's River," and their settlement was afterwards known as "Glen Lynden." There is an interesting account of the early experiences of the Albany settlers, with much information respecting the natives and Boer farmers. In the main, Pringle speaks well of the Dutch colonists, though he refers to the cruelty shown to the natives by the early pioneers in South Africa, which, however, he asserts was by no means confined to the Boer section of the population….

Pringle remained at Glen Lynden for two years and then removed to Cape Town, where he was appointed Librarian of the South African Library, and he also opened an academy, and started The South African Journal in conjunction with Mr. John Fairbairn. Owing, however, to the bitter opposition of Lord Charles Somerset, his prospects in South Africa were ruined, and he returned to England. Here, after an unsuccessful effort to secure compensation for his losses from the Government, he was appointed to the post of Secretary of the "Anti-Slavery Society," a position which he retained until the objects of the Society were attained, seven years later.

It was Pringle's intention to return to South Africa, but his health failed, and he died on December 5, 1834. "Few men were richer in friends than Mr. Pringle. Among them might be enumerated most of the literary men of the day," and the " eminent philanthropists with whom his official engagement brought him . . . into immediate connection and intercourse ... no man, perhaps, ever had fewer enemies, or descended to the grave with fewer animosities."