CHAPTER X. 



THE TRANSVAAL. 



HISTORICALLY considered, the Transvaal is the 

 scene of disasters and disgrace to British prestige 

 which will long be remembered, the ultimate effects 

 of which have yet to be endured, and paid for, but 

 cannot be recouped at a price reasonably approxi- 

 mate to the value of the material interests involved. 

 It is difficult to pen a word on the subject of the 

 craven action by Mr. Gladstone after the fight on 

 Majuba Hill with any approach to patience or 

 equanimity, and it is still more difficult to under- 

 estimate the crass stupidity and ignorance of facts 

 exhibited in the instructions given to the officers 

 who were, in the course of duty, compelled to 

 conclude the humiliating Convention which ter- 

 minated the Boer war. 



The action taken by the Imperial Government 

 in this case, fairly considered, admits of no excuse 



