Preface.
These are the first volumes prepared by me that overlap the work of another author. Count Wilmot's History of Our Own Times in South Africa, 1872–1898, in three volumes, was published in 1897–1899, and I certainly would not have trespassed upon that period if it had not been that the work alluded to has for some years been out of print, with very little or no prospect of its being reissued. I communicated with the honourable gentleman, its author, who in the kindest possible manner replied that he had no objection whatever to my continuing my work, and therefore I took in hand the volumes now before the reader. As he was in this field before me, my warmest thanks are due to him for his courtesy in this matter.
Wynberg, Cape Province.
January 1919.
