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Includes galley proofs of the entire volume [with the exception of the index]: introductory pages and books 10-12, "Recovery and Reform", "The Great Republic", and "The Victorian Age" [chapter 7 of which, "The Dawn of the Twentieth Century" is renamed "The South African War" in the published volume].With very minor suggested amendments and notes from various people [secretaries, literary assistants, etc.] including: [Alan Hodge].

Letter from General Sir Ian Hamilton, Pretoria, South Africa, to WSC, on South Africa. Stating "if we could incorporate these Boers into the Empire, we should be doing a vast deal more for the future of our race and language, than by assimilating a million Johannesburg Jews. They have first class natural ability, and their brains, having lain fallow for about 200 years, will, like virgin soil produce magnificent crops".

Letter from WSC (Madeira "en route") to "Mamma" [Lady Randolph Churchill] in which he says that the sea has been very rough and that Sir Redvers Buller is "well disposed" towards him and speculates on the progress [of the Boer War].

Letter from WSC (RMS Dunotta Castle "en route") to "Mamma" [Lady Randolph Churchill] speculating on the progress of the [Boer War] and on the publication of ["The River War"] and asking her to send copies to Pamela [Plowden, later Lady Lytton] and to [Charles, 9th Duke of] Marlborough. Manuscript in the hand of WSC.

Letter from WSC ("In the train near East London", South Africa]) to "Mamma" [Lady Randolph Churchill] informing her that he is travelling to Natal with Captain [Alexander] Campbell and [John] Atkins from the Manchester Guardian. He observes that the Boer forces have been underestimated and that there will be "a fierce and bloody struggle" and expresses his hope that he is ahead of other newspaper correspondents.

Letter from WSC (Pretoria [South Africa]) to "Mamma" [Lady Randolph Churchill] informing her that he has been captured by the Boers and that he hopes that he will not be detained as he is a Press Correspondent. He asks her to try and secure his release, commenting "After all this is a new experience - as was the heavy shell fire". Envelope present.

Letter from WSC (Chieveley Camp, Natal [South Africa]) to "Mamma" [Lady Randolph Churchill] in which he discusses "Jack's" [John S Churchill] conduct in the fighting and asks her not to allow him to leave [the hospital ship] Maine before fully recovered and to send him reviews of his book ["The River War"]. He informs her that he has been invited to become President of the Midland Conservative Club and says that he would like to receive more brandy.

Letter from WSC (Monte Cristo Mountain, near Chieveley, Natal [South Africa]) to "Mamma" [Lady Randolph Churchill] in which he describes manoeuvres against the Boer forces which he hopes will relieve Ladysmith. He encloses a telegram [not present] and discusses the action which should be taken about it. Envelope present.

Letter from WSC ([near Chieveley] South Africa) to "Mamma" [Lady Randolph Churchill] in which he asks her to look into the list of people who should receive copies of ["Savrola"]; reports that they have captured "a great part of the Boer position" and that the continuation of fighting prevents her coming [with the hospital ship Maine] to the area; and asks her to send him copies of several newspapers. Envelope present.

Letter from WSC (Pretoria [South Africa]) to "Mamma" [Lady Randolph Churchill] in which he says that he has been unable to write due to "almost ceaseless operations against the enemy" but that he intends to return home. He discusses the military action against the Boers; a future lecture tour in the United States and his hopes that ["London to Ladysmith via Pretoria"] has been well-received. Signed typescript with manuscript corrections.