obinson ＇as to an appointment he desired at the time。 — H。 R。 H。＇； and was asked to dinner at Hilldrop with Rider and Louisa。 The latter did not attend。 Among the guests at the table were Sir Henry de Villiers and President Brand of the Free State。
Enclosed in this letter is one from Sir Evelyn Wood to my brother； in which he states that “I do not myself anticipate remaining Governor of Natal。” His dissent from the report of the Royal mission will suggest a reason why。
I do not remember much of President Brand； for some reason he made no great impression on my mind； but Sir Henry de Villiers I recall very well indeed； for we rode together and talked a good deal。 He an； pleasant and able； but of course Dutch by blood； and therefore； although he may not have known it himself； naturally in sympathy with Dutch aims and ambitions。 In him the Boers had an advocate of the best class。 Sir Hercules Robinson was a most agreeable Irish gentleman。 Also he was an official； and not of the strongest sort。 As a Royal missioner theoretically he was in an independent position； but he had a notable example before his eyes in the instance of Sir Bartle Frere of what happened to Colonial Governors who dared to take a line of their own。 Of this mission Sir Evelyn Wood was the only really independent member； and he dissented from its most important findings。
Never shall I forget the scene on the market square of Newcastle — it must have been about the 21st or 22nd of March