FIRST EDITION OF THE MERCURY
Michelle Pearce says she found this first edition of The Mercury – published in 1852 – among her stepfather’s possessions. Her stepfather Peter Edward Peen died in April. She explained that she had been sorting through his things – which included extensive collections of stamps and coins – when she happened upon the newspaper, which was in near-pristine condition despite being more than 150 years old. The Mercury marks its 165th anniversary this year.
JOHN Robinson crossed into Zululand with the British forces. At the end of the first day he wrote with imperial brio: “From where we write this, the sights and sounds of a most exciting and, in Natal, an unprecedented scene, are visible and audible. If ever a scene in the experience of a country was historical, this is one. If ever a day in the annals of a country was historical, this is one. It is a day which will be remembered as long as the British flag covers a foot of British ground in South Africa – as long as British loyalty and British patriotism animate the hearts of South African people. What the immediate issue of the movements around us may be, not one among us may possibly predict. The day is advancing, the clouds have gathered overhead, the hours of active work are getting fewer and what may happen before the down-sinking sun reappears again, not one among us is able to forecast.”
The sun reappeared next day without incident. It was to be 10 days before the calamity of Isandlwana.