nd； with the assistance of a crammer； in a month learned more Latin than I had done all the time I was at school； indeed； at the end of a few weeks I could read Caesar fluently and Virgil not so ill。 The end of it was that I passed the examination at the head of the batch who went up with me； or so I was given to understand。
Another thing that I did was to write my first book； “Cetewayo and his White Neighbours； or Remarks on Recent Events in Zululand； Natal and the Transvaal。” It contained about two hundred and fifty closely printed pages in the first of its editions； and represented a great amount of labour。 I was determined that it should be accurate； and to ensure this I purchased all the Blue…books dealing with the period of which I was treating； and made precis of them； some of which I still possess。
But it is one thing for an unknown person to write a book of this character； and quite another for him to persuade anyone to publish it。 I find among my papers a pencil draft of a letter which I sent to many publishers。 It runs：
I write to inquire if you are inclined to undertake the publication of a short work I am now finishing。 It is the result of some six years’ experience in South Africa in official and private capacities； and contains amongst other things a private history of the annexation of the Transvaal which； as I was on Sir T。 Shepstone’s staff at the time； I am qualified to write。
The parts of the book； however； which would； I think； ensure the sale at the present moment； both here and in the Colonies； are the chapters dealing with the proposed grant of responsible government to Natal and the question of the reinstatement of Cetewayo。 As you are no doubt aware； the ex…king will visit England very shortly； when I think an opport