Delagoa Bay - Its Natives and Natural History by Rose Monteiro (1891)

First edition published in London by George Philip & Son, 1891.

Hardcover, 274pp + 2pp adverts. Illustrated.

An entirely unread copy with uncut pages.

The rear panel is faded, presumably from damp, but the board remains unaffected and strong.

 'This volume, written by the widow of the author of "Angola and the River Congo," gives an account of her experience during a second visit (of five years duration) to what she calls "the benighted region of Delagoa Bay." The book is described as being "a medley of everything in general and nothing in particular," and it is asserted that political and geographical matters were purposely excluded; considerable information is afforded respecting the botany and natural history of the Mozambique province of Portuguese South Africa, and there is a good description of Lourenco Marquez, brought up to the time of the opening of the railway to the Transvaal border (1887-8). The writer appears to have been a keen observer of the birds, reptiles, and insects of the country, an ardent naturalist and botanist, and an energetic and successful collector. Mrs. Monteiro gives an account of the customs of the native tribes; according to her experiences, the [Natives] of the province were extremely indolent and improvident, and she recommends the introduction of [Indian] labour.'  - Mendelssohn Vol. II, page 42