[[217]] The supersession of the Governor at this crisis was no doubt a main cause of the war’s being protracted, though in a less severe form, for some months longer. See Mr. Brownlee’s report dated “Fort Cox, 4th March, 1852.”
[[218]] Correspondence of General Sir George Cathcart (1856), p. 36.
[[219]] Cape Town Mail, 20th April, 1852. Sir Harry’s departure from King William’s Town in 1836 was strangely similar. See pp. [458], [459].
[[220]] See Cape Town Mail, April 17th and 20th, 1852.
[[221]] Wilmot and Chase, pp. [417], [459]. With regard to Mr. Chase’s last assertion, it is perhaps worth remarking that Sir Harry Smith reflected the spirit of the Romantic School in his religious feelings as well as in much else.
The weakness which Mr. Chase previously mentions is thus referred to in the Natal Witness (Jan. 1889): “It was a common habit with Sir Harry Smith to threaten to jump down people’s throats,—boots, spurs, and all; and he once on a field of battle sent a message, seasoned with some fearful expletives, to a colonel that if he kept his regiment so much to the front, he’d have him knee-haltered. But the fine old General drew a line at swearing and never allowed of personal abuse.”
[[222]] Portsmouth Times, 5th June, 1852.
[[223]] Lord Grey fully appreciated Sir Harry’s chivalry. He writes, “On a question of this kind we were not at liberty to consult our private feelings. This was fully understood by Sir Harry Smith himself, of whose most handsome and honourable conduct I cannot too strongly express my sense. He has shown no resentment against us for what we did, but has fairly given us credit for having been guided only by considerations of public duty. I feel individually very deeply indebted to him for the kindness with which he has acted towards me since his return.”—The Colonial Policy of Lord John Russell’s Administration (1853), vol. ii. p. 247. Men will decide according to their dispositions whether such conduct was “lowering” to Sir Harry or not. It was at least part and parcel of his nature.
[[224]] Portsmouth Times, 11th Sept. 1852.
[[225]] Life of Sir W. Napier, vol. ii. p. 327.