British Rule in South Africa. Illustrated in the Story of Kama and his tribe, and of the war in Zululand

Front matter

THE BRITISH TROOPS CROSSING THE TUGELA. BEITISH EULE IN SOUTH AFRICA. ILLUSTRATED IN THE STORY OF KAMA AND HIS TRIBE, AND OF THE WAR IN ZULULAND. BY W. CLIFFORD HOLDEN. &UTHOR OF 'THE HISTORY OF NATAL AND ORANGE RIVER SOVEREIGNTY,' *THE PAST AND FUTURE OF THE KAFFIR RACES,' AND 'BRIEF HISTORY OF METHODISM AND METHODIST MISSIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA.' bonbon: PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR AT THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE OFFICE, 2, CASTLE-STREET, CITY-ROAD; AND 6 6, PATERNOSTER-HOW. HATH AS BEOTHKttS AND LILLY, PRINTERS, K.I IT ON HOUSE, PA KEI N H DON ROAD, LONDON, E.C.

Preface

. Kama and His Tribe The first part of this work contains the life of the Christian Kaffir chief Kama. This will be found to be what was published in my last work, Brief History of Methodism and Wesleyan Missions in South Africa, but considerably enlarged, much additional important matter having been introduced into it. In the critique upon this subject in the London Quarterly, the writer says : ' Kama's story, even as told here in brief, is one to thrill with joy and hope. No further answer need be given to those who deride the Christianity of the Kaffir. If Mr. Holden has enough on the subject "to fill a small volume," and withholds it, we shall not forgive him/ I have now saved myself from the unpardon able sin of not giving a fuller account of the worthy chief. Added to this, are extensive historical notes upon his son and successor, William Shaw Kama, which are of deep interest and grave importance, especially in connection with the sore trials through which he had to pass in the late rebellion; and the honourable manner in which he passed through and came out of those trials.

Preface. VI The War in Zululand. This history must be regarded as one of popular interest, not as a full scientific military history, to which it makes no pretensions. But it does profess to give a sufficiently large amount of accurate in formation upon the Zulu campaign as to enable an ordinary reader to become well informed upon most of the great facts which have occurred in the course of the war. This war in every aspect is one of great importance in its present bearings and future results : important as it relates to the nation and despot who have had to be subdued; important as to the large number of human beings sacrificed therein ; important in the large demand which will be made upon the imperial and colonial treasury to defray the expenses incurred ; and most important in its bearings upon the future interests of South Africa.

In addition to some illustrations, there are two maps, which will enable the patient reader to trace the local position and relative distance of each place. These must be of great value when the fact is kept in mind that there is probably not less than three hundred miles of frontier, including the whole north-east border of Natal, and a large portion of the north-west of the Transvaal. I have been greatly indebted to the local newspapers for information, some of which are conducted with considerable ability, and have had correspondents on whom full reliance could be placed. The Times and Mercury of Natal and the Journal of Graham's Town have aided me considerably. Exception may possibly be taken to the extended use which has been made of letters and documentary evidence ; but this has been done designedly.

The Preface. VII objecc in view has not been to parade ray own opinions, sentiments, and speculations, so much as to furnish materials and facts by which the careful reader may form his own opinions, and arrive at fair and honest conclusions. Hence I have preferred introducing and using the materials supplied by those actually in the field and on the spot to anything merely sentimental or probable. 1. The correspondents of both the English and colonial papers have been men of fair, if not superior, literary merit, who were fully competent to fulfil their task with credit to themselves and advantage to the public. 2. Being in the country, and having access to most sources of reliable information, I have had the oppor tunity of selecting from large supplies that which appeared the wisest and the best. 3.

My own personal knowledge of the nation and the people has, not only enabled me to select that which was fitting and best, but to fill in or pare down those parts which were lacking or were redundant. When I say that I have performed my work under difficulties, I only utter a truism. I have had to prepare and send the different parts in a fragmentary manner, which will explain to some extent what will appear to be a want of smoothness, and in some in stances may be the absence of connectedness. It is only fair to myself to state those facts, which, with others which might be named, will bespeak the leniency of criticism. ■ W. Clifford Holden. South Africa, July, 1879. CONTENTS. KAMA AND HIS TRIBE.