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I wish that Lord Roberts could lay his hand on that active De Wet and Botha too. If they were not such forsworn hypocrites one could find it in one's heart to sympathize with their dogged pertinacity.
As it is one can only pray for a speedy extinction of their power.
As I read the Times regularly I see all that is worth reading about them. As for the Chinese confusion one can see at present no wholesome end to it. I hope however that the subtle designs of Russia will not (as they usually do) profit by the imbroglio, and that if Korea is to be seized by any one that one may be the Japanese Emperor, the most effective counterpoise to Russian aggression in the North Pacific. The way in which the
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European powers have for some years gathered round the carcase of the Chinese effete state is most revolting to my mind. What right had France to Tonquin, Russia to Port Arthur, or Germany to (I think) Kiangchan? This is what China has had to pay for the corruption of its provincial governments, its contempt for the military occupation (which ranked lower than that of a shopkeeper) and sundry other sappings of the authority by which order has to be provided for in large communities.
But what is the use of my preaching?
I have not heard from Send Grove for an age, and am thankful to you for
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your mention of my friends there. My kind regards to them if you are writing to them soon.
Just before I was lumbagoed I had a few friends (29) to dinner at a Cafe in Melbourne and I put on each of their plates a copy of what I now enclose to you.
The catering was good and my friends seemed to enjoy themselves. I revenged myself on Sir W Zeal who proposed my health (our dear old friend he called me) by proposing his, and we all broke up in the best of humours. Of course I took no wine and touched no dainties.
Kindest regards to all Yours ever sincerely G W Rusden
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Extract from a letter (dated 13th April, 1898) from E. J. Phelps (once Minister for the United States in England) to G. W. Rusden with regard to the 2nd edition of the History of Australia (1897). ___ ____
"I deferred writing till I should have read the History, since I might find it the duty of a candid friend to condemn or disparage it.
"I have now read it through with attention and great interest, and in all sincerity and with no disposition towards flattery I have only admiration to express. The work is admirable in all respects, and seems to me to answer all the requisites of a good history -- fulness and accuracy of facts -- some philosophical deduction -- interest of narrtive -- elegance of style.
"I had read the book in the former edition, but more hastily, and under great pressure of other matters and consequent interruption. This time it lay at my bedside, and gave me for a long time the hour of reading after going to bed, in which I nightly indulge, as the best means of obtaining 'the sweets of forgetfulness' of all 'the cares that infest the day'
"The story of the rise and progress of a great civilization from the extraordinary beginning of an enormous convict settlement is, of course, unique in history, and exceedingly interesting. The lessons it teaches of the destructive power of King Demos, and the absolute impracticability of a permanent society to be governed by its worst elements, make it most instructive. I insist that it is this article in the creed of really educated and intellectual men that makes them all of one church. The possibility of such a form of human government has been the dream of enthusiasts of the past. Its refutation is to the be the great work of the leading minds of the future. Your book is a valuable contribution towards it. I wish, before I depart, I could contribute as much. I particularly congratulate you ont he style in which it is written, enriched, as it seems to me, by the spirit which is the finis et fructus of true scholarship.
"But I must say no more, lest you begin to distrust my discrimination, or my sincerity, on both of which I have the vanity to modestly pride myself."
