— when it became known that peace had been declared as a corollary of our defeats； and that the restoration of the Transvaal was practically guaranteed within six months。 Some thousands of people were gathered there； many of them refugees； among whom were a number of loyal Boers； and with these soldiers； townsfolk； and natives。 I saw strong men weeping like children； and heard English…born people crying aloud that they were “b —— y Englishmen” no more。 Soldiers were raging and cursing； and no one tried to stop them； natives stood stupefied； staring before them； their arms folded on their breasts； women wrung their hands。
Then an idea struck the crowd； they made a rude effigy of Mr。 Gladstone and； as was done in most of the other loyal parts of South Africa； burnt it with contempt and curses。 It was a futile and perhaps a foolish act； but excuses must be made for the ruined and the shamed。 They could not believe their ears； in which still echoed the vehement declaration of Sir Gar Wolseley that no Government would dare under any circumstances to give back the Transvaal； and the statements； in the House of Lords； by telegram； and in other ways of various members of the Administration to the same effect。
And now I have done and am glad to have done with the matter of this great betrayal； the bitterness of which no lapse of time ever can solace or even alleviate； and will return to its results upon my own life。
On July 30； 1881； I sent to my father what I sup