meet at Government House, Pietermaritzburg, the then Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, who had just returned from an inspection of Majuba. With fiery indignation he described how the reports which had been given of the physical conditions of the approaches to that position were lies, absolute lies. The approach to it had been represented as covered with boulders and scrub, while to use his own expression, I could see a terrier run from the bottom to the top, so smooth was it.' He asked, 'How can we learn the lessons which our past mistakes and disasters should teach us if, to ease our national pride, we are not allowed to know the truth?' Our errors in South Africa must be known if we are to learn the lessons which they should convey to us. The best prophet of the future is the history of the past.' The book has run to far greater length than I could wish, and for this I owe an apology to my readers; but in my defence I can only say that the materials are voluminous and are extremely difficult of access-much is also in manuscript. It has been my object to place my readers in a position to judge for themselves by allowing the principal actors to speak in their own words. The great importance of the subjects of Responsible Government, Confederation, and Sir Bartle Frere's governorship have rendered brevity impossible. These subjects were also highly controversial. I have not attempted to deal by separate notices with the errors into which Mr. Martineau in his Life of Sir Bartle Frere has fallen as regards matters of fact-such, for instance, as his description of Mr. Molteno's attitude towards the annexation of Damaraland (at p. 191, vol. ii.), or as to his alleged concurrence in asking for reinforcements (p. 208, vol. ii.), or as to his alleged refusal to take the Attorney-General's opinion (p. 209, vol. ii.), and many others. Mr. Martineau unfortunately possessed no local or special knowledge of South Africa or its history, and it was natural for him to fall into error. In regard to the dismissal of in South Africa, notwithstanding and in spite of all the fatal errors on the part of the Imperial Government and its officers, which, but for such men as Mr. Molteno, would have resulted in the loss of South Africa. Under him, in South Africa colonial history took its normal course—the continued assertion of the right of self-government. There is also an Imperial side to the services which these men have rendered. They have vindicated British liberty and self-government, they have adapted and administered British constitutional principles in countries whose circumstances differ in every other respect from Great Britain. They have made possible the freedom and progress which are now to be found wherever Englishmen have settled throughout the world ; indeed, the self-reliance and power of self-government which these men exhibited in common with those of a similar character in the other colonies have made possible the existence and coherence of the vast Empire which we see to-day. Its varied and world-wide series of States could not be governed from a central office in Downing Street. Only by the automatic action of self-government in each part could the varied problems which arise be dealt with successfully. With this specialisation of function in the different parts of the Empire, there has gone the higher integration comprised in the sentiment of a common origin and a common purpose ; as the formal bonds have been released so have the sentimental bonds increased in strength. Ether is said to possess in one direction the most perfect elasticity and fluidity imaginable, and in another the properties of a rigid solid. Of a similar character must be the properties of the bond which unites the different parts of the Empire. Perfect freedom for self-government in the members—the resistance of adamant to aggression against the whole. My object has been to place before my readers the truth, and nothing but the truth. I had the fortune to meet at Government House, Pietermaritzburg, the then Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, who had just returned from an inspection of Majuba. With fiery indignation he described how the reports which had been given of the physical conditions of the approaches to that position were lies, absolute lies. The approach to it had been represented as covered with boulders and scrub, while to use his own expression, 'I could see a terrier run from the bottom to the top, so smooth was it.' He asked, 'How can we learn the lessons which our past mistakes and disasters should teach us if, to ease our national pride, we are not allowed to know the truth?' Our errors in South Africa must be known if we are to learn the lessons which they should convey to us. • The best prophet of the future is the history of the past.' The book has run to far greater length than I could wish, and for this I owe an apology to my readers; but in my defence I can only say that the materials are voluminous and are extremely difficult of access—much is also in manuscript. It has been my object to place my readers in a position to judge for themselves by allowing the principal actors to speak in their own words. The great importance of the subjects of Responsible Government, Confederation, and Sir Bartle Frere's governorship have rendered brevity impossible. These subjects were also highly controversial. I have not attempted to deal by separate notices with the errors into which Mr. Martineau in his Life of Sir Bartle Frere has fallen as regards matters of fact-such, for instance, as his description of Mr. Molteno's attitude towards the annexation of Damaraland (at p. 191, vol. ii.), or as to his alleged concurrence in asking for reinforcements (p. 208, vol. ii.), or as to his alleged refusal to take the Attorney-General's opinion (p. 209, vol. ii.), and many others. , Mr. Martineau unfortunately possessed no local or special knowledge of South Africa or its history, and it was natural for him to fall into error. In regard to the dismissal of a Mr. Molteno's Ministry, he makes no attempt to deal adequately with what he admits was a step unprecedented in colonial constitutional government. He devotes two pages to this subject, a treatment which he would hardly venture to assert was adequate. I have received most valuable aid, which I desire to acknowledge, from the late SIR HENRY BARKLY, whose death has prevented him from carrying out his intention of expressing in a fuller manner than he does, at p. 457, vol. ii., his appreciation of Mr. Molteno's services. The Hon. C. ABERCROMBIE SMITH, Auditor and Controller of the Cape Colony, has most kindly assisted me in the compilation of figures from the public and official documents connected with the public accounts, and the expenditure on war as well as on defence. Mr. ERNEST KILPIN, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, has given me most valuable aid in rendering available the materials under his charge connected with the history of the early sessions of the Cape Parliament. It remains for me to add that the text was completed before the outbreak of the war which is now proceeding in South Africa. P. A. MOLTENO. January 1900. CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME Birth and Parentage-Descent-His Mother-Education-Early Business Experience-Goes to South Africa-Starts a Business at Cape Town -Enterprise and Energy-Closes Business-His Life at Cape Town . PAGE Acquires Land at Nelspoort-His Marriage-Journey to Nelspoort- Physical Features of Country-The Great Karoo-Its Climate-Isola- War Breaks Out-Volunteers as a Burgher-March to Frontier-Ap- pointed Commandant-Disaster at Burns-hill-Retreat from Beka- Incompetency of Military-Demoralisation of Troops-Burgher Forces called out-Joins Sir A. Stockenstrom--Relief of Block Drift-Attack on Kaffirs-Operations against Kreli-Operations in the Amatolas- Bad treatment of Burghers-Du Toit's Narrative-Burghers lose all their Horses-Description of Hardships-Burgher mode of Fighting -Return to Nelspoort-Visits England-Second Marriage-Resides at Beaufort-Leasing of Crown Lands-Member of Municipal and Divisional Councils-Mercantile Pursuits-Establishes a Bank-Re- |