NARRATIVE OF A RESIDENCE IN SOUTH AFRICA.

New edition: xxxvi, 356 pages, map of ‘The ceded territory’ facing the first page of text (the map in foxed), bound in contemporary quarter brown cloth with paper-covered boards, page edges uncut. The cloth back has been repaired and the boards are rubbed and worn at the corners. Leaves 191/2 and 193/4 are detached and this and page 193 are heavily browned, otherwise the text is good.

Presentation inscription from the Mrs Pringle at the head of the title page – ‘To J.M. Ramsbotham, Esq., with Mrs Pringle’s kind regards’. With the book plate of Mr.J.M. Ramsbotham on the front paste-down endpaper. Ramsbotham was a doctor in private practice in London in the 1830’s.

‘...and though he tells us that he weighed carefully the advantages of the several British Colonies before he fixed upon the Cape as the most suitable place to recoup the family fortunes, the introduction of and the publicity given in 1819 to the Government's scheme to establish settlers in the Eastern Districts of the Cape Colony must have considerably influenced him. That he did come to the Cape, albeit for only six years, we can be grateful, for though not perhaps a great man he was of more than ordinary ability and of the greatest integrity - no mean protagonist in the fight for truth and the relief of oppression. That he had his failings - principally a lack of tact and caution - will become apparent.' Lewin Robinson in his introduction to the facsimile reprint published in 1966.