William Clayton Humphreys represents a fairly common type among early settlers in the colony of Natal. He had little capital and no professional experience, and his trip to the "Zulu country" was undertaken as a commercial enterprise, rather than as a scientific or "sporting" hunting expedition. His journal provides insights into the cattle trade which was so vital an aspect of the political economy of Natal and Zululand. As well as being an account of personal hardships, the journal gives interesting descriptions of Mpande's consolidated Zulu state, the mission station of Hans Schreuder, and the still abundant flora and fauna.