Guadana to Isandhlwana : a Sketch of the Kafir and
Zulu Wars. By Captain H. H. Parr. (C. Kegan Paul and Co.)—Captain Parr was Military Secretary to Sir Bartle Frere, and it would be impossible for him to have taken any other view than he does of the policy of the chief. All that we can say is that he argues his case fairly and temperately, and that he marshals the facts against Cetewayo in an able and impressive way. We may quote his summing-up :—" Long before the Zulu war broke out, the highest authorities on South Africa (except one notable exception, whose following has become smaller year by year), differing as they might on other points, all agreed on one, viz., that the Zulu King was an able, unscrupulous, and exceedingly ambitions savage, whose possession of a large stand- ing army of young warriors longing for war was a state of affairs which menaced with ruin the colonies where border farms and home- steads were within a few hours' march of Cetewayo's capital." The notable exception is, we presume, Bishop Culenso, who is so well able to take care of himself and of his cause, that it is needless to speak of him. Captain Parr must be taken into account when the question is considered. He had access to information, and he writes with temper and tact. His account of the battle of Isandhlwana is particularly well written, and though of necessity to a degree conjectural, gives a vivid picture.
Previous page
