I think that this is the last John Tenniel cartoon concerning the Boer War. It appeared in Punch in February 1900.
It shows Britannia – bearing a striking resemblance to
Athena, the Greek Goddess of War (and Wisdom), congratulating Lord Roberts,
‘Bobs’ as he was affectionately known to the public at large. In December Lord
Roberts replaced Sir Redvers Buller as Commander in Chief of the British and
Empire forces in South Africa. It certainly seemed to be turning the tide of
war in the favour of the Empire forces by the time that this cartoon was
published. The next few months would see the sieges raised, both Boer capitals
captured and the annexation of the two republics. It wouldn’t bring the end of
the war about though. That was just over two long years in the future.
