Chapter IX: Character of the South African Boer

A Peculiar Type--Mixture of Huguenot and Netherlands' Dutch--Divergence Between the Permanent Settler at the Cape and the Emigrant Farmer in the Two Republics--Good Qualities and Bad Curiously Mixed--A Keen Desire for Independence in the Form of Isolation--A Patriotism Bred of Ignorance and Cultivated by Prejudice--A Love of Liberty for Himself and of Slavery for Inferiors--The Possessor of Intense Racial Sentiment and of Sincere Religious Bigotry--Modification of these Qualities in Cape Colony by Education and Political Freedom--Moderate Expression of them in the Orange Free State as a Result of President Brand's Policy--Extreme Embodiment of them in the Transvaal--The Dutch Hatred of Missionaries--Dr. Livingstone on Dutch Character and Customs--Throughout South Africa the Dutch Masses are Slow and Sleepy, Serious and Somewhat Slovenly, Averse to Field Labour, Ignorant of External Matters and Without Culture--The Transvaal Boer the Most Active, Hardy and Aggressive in Character--Hatred of the English and His Wandering Life the Chief Reason--Morality and Immorality--Different Types of Dutch--Kruger and Pretorius, Joubert and Steyn--Hofmeyr and DeVilliers, Representative of the Higher Culture of Cape Colony

CHAPTER X.

The Annexation of the Transvaal.

Condition of the Republic in 1877--Dangers Without and Difficulties Within--The British Policy of Confederation--Public Opinion in England not Sufficiently Advanced--Lord Carnarvon, and Mr. J. A. Froude's Mission--Sir T. Shepstone Takes Action--A Peaceful Annexation Quietly Carried Out--Neither Force nor Serious Persuasion Used--The Ensuing Administration--Self-government not Granted--Sir Owen Lanyon's Mistakes--The Failure of the Confederation Scheme--Mr. Gladstone's Political Campaign in England--Effect of His Utterances in South Africa--He Comes into Power--Protests against Annexation Develop--Dutch Delegates in England--Refusal to Reverse the Annexation--Boer Rebellion and Ultimate British Repudiation of Pledges and Policy--Magnanimity Appears to the Dutch as Pusillanimity and Paves the Way for Years of Trouble and Much Bloodshed

CHAPTER XI.

Natal and the Zulu War.

Slow Progress of Natal--Limited White Population--Constitution and General History--Rise of the Zulu Power--From the Days of Tshaka to those of Cetywayo--A Curious British Encouragement of Native Strength--Bravery and Good Qualities of the Zulus--Lust of Conquest and Cruelty in War--Cetywayo's Impis Threaten the Boers of the Transvaal and the English of Natal--Sir Bartle Frere Arrives at Cape Town as High Commissioner and Considers War Necessary in Order to Avert Massacre--Takes the Initiative and British Forces Invade Zululand--Lord Chelmsford in Command--Isandlhwana, Rorke's Drift and Ulundi--Sir Bartle Frere Recalled and Sir Garnet Wolseley Sent Out--Settlement of the Zulu Troubles--A Curious Portion of a Complex Problem--Ensuing Advancement of Natal

CHAPTER XII.

A Review of the South African Question.

British Views of Government and Treatment of Natives Antagonistic to those of the Dutch--No Question of Republicanism versus Monarchy--The Dutch at the Cape Possessed of a Larger Share in Public Administration than the Boers of the Transvaal--The Language Question a Serious One--Equality of Population and Opportunity and Privilege at the Cape Without Equality of Education or Knowledge--The British Government and the Missionaries--The Dutch and Slavery--The Non-intervention Policy and Confederation--The Question of Cape Colony Extension--Cecil Rhodes and South Africa--Progress versus Stagnation--The Latter Wins at Majuba Hill and for a Time Turns Back the Hand of Destiny--The South African Question Enters on its Last Phase