Contents
ForewordChapter I - Early days
Chapter II - The diamond fields
Chapter III - The 'seventies and 'eighties
Chapter IV - Early Kafir wars
Chapter V - Outbreak of rinderpest
Chapter VI - With Rhodes
Chapter VII - The siege of Kimberley
Chapter VIII - The siege of Kimberley
Chapter IX - Politics and personalities
Chapter X - Recollections
Illustrations
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Preface
I have frequently been approached by many friends to write my memoirs, but never having kept a diary, and always having been occupied with important business matters and public affairs, I have, until now, been unable to meet their wishes. Having stood down at the last General Election, after serving as a member of the Cape and Union Houses of Assembly for thirty-two years, I now find some leisure moments in this my seventy-eighth year to pen my experiences in war, finance and politics.
During a residence of fifty-eight years in South Africa I have seen many changes, undergone many vicissitudes, met many distinguished men, and have enjoyed what I regard as an adventurous career. It is now with some diffidence that I attempt to summarise and chronicle the events of a long life—diffidence due to my consciousness of my literary shortcomings, which must be apparent to those who have the patience to glance through the pages of this biography. It will be observed that events are not noted in proper chronological order, and in parts the sequence may appear somewhat jumbled.
In many instances my memory may be at fault. For this I crave indulgence, as it is, indeed, difficult to recall incidents that occurred over so long, a period, however good one's memory. There will, therefore, be many defects in this book, both historically and politically. Many may not agree with me in my impressions of the character and the ability of some of the leading men with whom I have come into contact. Consequently I beg to assure my readers that I have described these people as I knew them, and as I now know them, without prejudice and without being influenced by any political differences.
