eserve of the white population in Europe.
Their minds cannot take in large numbers, cannot look far forward,
cannot grasp large issues, and are swayed by sudden gusts of feeling
which overcome all calculation of results. Accordingly, the Kafirs
returned over and over again to the contest, while the colonial
government, not wishing to extend its frontiers, and hating the expense
of this unprofitable strife, never grappled with the problem in a large
way, but tried on each occasion to do just enough to restore order for
the time being. It would probably have been better to have spent once
for all a large sum in a thorough conquest of the Kosas, planting strong
forts here and there through their country, and organizing a regular
gendarmerie. But until the annexation of Natal in 1843 placed British
power on the other side of these turbulent tribes, the process of
conquest might well seem interminable, for it was plain that as soon as
one clan had been brought to submission troubles would break out with
the next that lay beyond it, and fresh wars have to be undertaken to
reduce each of these in its turn. Some allowance must therefore be made
for the tendency of the government to take short views and do no more
than was needed for the moment, especially as nearly every new war
brought upon the Governor for the time being the displeasure of the
Colonial Office, and brought upon the Colonial Office the censure of
economists and philanthropists at home.

The theatre of these wars was the country along the south coast between
Algoa Bay and the Kei River, and an important step forward was made
when, after the wars of 1846-47 and 1851-53, the province of British
Kaffraria, extending to the Kei River, was created, placed under
imperial officials, and garrisoned by British regiments. Four years
afterwards, in 1857, the Kafirs of this province, at the bidding of
their chiefs, prompted by a wizard who professed to have received
messages from the world of spirits, destroyed their cattle and their
stores of grain, in the belief that the dead ancestors of the tribe
would reappear and join them in driving out the white men, while herds
of cattle would issue from the ground and crops would suddenly spring up
and cover the soil. Many of the clans were already on the verge of
famine when the promised day arrived, and when it had passed starvation
began, and within a few months, despite the efforts of the colonial
authorities to supply food, s