th your letter one from the editor of Greater Britain； calling my attention to an article in the July number of that periodical entitled “Many Lands； One People” and asking my views upon it。 I shall write him a very short answer； for I am sorry to say I am as yet unable to see anything practical in the proposals of Imperial Federation。 I am afraid you will think me old…fashioned and heterodox； but I cannot as yet see anything stronger than the bond which ties the members of a family together。 Love to you both from yours always sincerely；
T。 Shepstone。
In due course the dedication was finished and sent。 Charles Longman always thought it one of the best things I had ever written； and； when I told him the other day that I was engaged upon this task； he especially asked me to insert it here。 Therefore I do so。
DEDICATION
Sompseu：
For I will call you by the name that for fifty years has been honoured by every tribe between the Zambesi and Cape Agulhas； — I greet you！
Sompseu； my father； I have written a book that tells of men and matters of which you know the most of any who still look upon the light； therefore； I set your name within that book and； such as it is； I offer it to you。
If you knew not Chaka； you and he have seen the same suns shine； you knew his brother Panda and his captains； and perhaps even that very Mopo who tells this tale； his servant； who slew him with the Princes。 You have seen the circle of the witch…doctors and the unconquerable Zulu impis rushing to war； you have crowned their kings and shared their counsels； and with your son’s blood you have expiated a statesman’s error and a general’s fault。
Sompseu； a song has been sung in my ears of how first you mastered this people of the Zulu。 Is it