It was my intention originally to keep the history
of the Cape Colony and of the States founded by the
emigrant farmers in separate volumes, such as those
published during the last few years. But I have
been compelled to change that plan. In February
1892 the whole of my completed manuscript and all
my notes and memoranda, except those for the period
1834 to 1848, were destroyed by fire. Before that
occurrence the history of the Cape Colony had been
brought down to 1834 in three published volumes,
and the history of the emigrant farmers was before
the public in two others. Even under favourable
circumstances several years would be required to
prepare another volume, and I am so situated as
to be barely on the right side
separates the possible from the
as writing history is concerned.
previously informed me that the
volume upon the emigrant farmers was nearly out of
print. I therefore resolved to alter it somewhat in
form, and to add to it the history of the Cape Colony
from 1834 to 1848. As it now is, the five completed
volumes are continuous in chronological order, the
history of the Cape Colony is brought down in them
to 1848, the history of Natal to 1846, and that of the
Republics and Native States to 1872.
of the line that impossible, so far My publishers had edition of my first