A Winter Tour in South Africa

Excerpt

INTRODUCTION.

The growth of the great Colonies of the British Empire is so phenomenal, and their development is so rapid, and remarkable, that if we are to possess a correct knowledge of their actual state, and condition, from year to year, their current history requires to be constantly re-written.

The writer of a decade since, is, to-day, almost obsolete. He has only produced a current record of facts, and places, at the period he wrote. This is especially the case with South Africa.

I have recently returned from a very interesting tour in that remarkable country. My impressions were noted down, as they occurred, from day to day. A summary of my observations, and of the incidents, in connection with my journey, was the subject of a Paper I read at the opening meeting of the present Session of the Royal Colonial Institute, on the 12th of November last. I wish it to be understood that the opinions expressed on that occasion were my own, and that the Institute as a body is in no way responsible for them. This Paper has formed the outline of the volume, which—with much new matter from my note book—I now offer to the public, in the belief, that the narrative of a traveller, simply seeking instruction, as well as amusement, from a few months tour, while traversing some 12,000 miles by sea, and 4,000 miles by land, through the wonderful country in which he lately roamed, might prove of some use, in awakening additional interest on the part of the general public, to one of the most promising, and valuable portions of the Colonial Empire.

In this spirit, I offer my "Winter Tour in South Africa," to my countrymen, "at home and beyond the seas," in the hope that it may receive from them, a favourable reception.

On the "Political Situation," I have spoken strongly and frankly, I hope not too much so. The result of my personal observations has convinced me, that I have only correctly expressed the opinions, very widely entertained by large classes of Her Majesty's subjects in South Africa.

I cannot conclude without acknowledging the aid I have derived from the Statistical information contained in the "Argus Annual," and it also affords me much pleasure to thank Mr. James R. Boosé, the Librarian of the Royal Colonial Institute, for the assistance he has rendered me.

FREDERICK YOUNG

5, Queensberry Place, S.W.
1st January, 1890.

CONTENTS.

—Embark at Southampton—Amusements at Sea—Lisbon—Madeira—Teneriffe—St. Helena—Longwood—Arrival at Cape Town—Queen's Birthday—Review of Troops—Regatta—Table Bay—Table Mountain—Hotels—House of Parliament—Observatory—South African Museum—Public Library—Botanic Gardens—Record Office—Places of Worship—Harbour Works and Breakwater—Graving Dock—Simon's Town—Kalk Bay—Constantia—Wynberg—Journey to Kimberley—Address of Welcome from the Fellows of the Royal Colonial Institute—Diamond Industry—Bultfontein Mine—DeBeer's Mine—Compounds—United Companies—Central Kimberley Diamond Mine—Kimberley Hospital—Progress of Kimberley—Town Hall—Post Office—High Court—Public Library—Waterworks—En routefor Bechuanaland—Wagon Travelling—Warrenton—Drake's Farm—Scenery—Field for Settlement—Vryburg—Lochnagar Farm—Prospect of Gold Discovery—Nooitgedacht Mine—Pan Washing—Klerksdorp Gold Estates Company—Future of Klerksdorp—Wagon Journey—Presence of Gold-bearing Reefs—Vultures—Fort and Cemetery—Chevalier Forssman—Difficulties of Travelling—Appearance of the Town—Gold—Knights—The Jumpers—Robinson's—Langlaagte—Descent to the Mines—Market Square—Growth of Johannesburg—Sanitary arrangements—Water Supply—The Volksraad—President Paul Kruger—High Court of Justice—Want of Railroads—Growing Prosperity—Post Office—New Government Buildings—Political and Social Life—Pretoria Races—Polonia—Hebron—Salt Pans—Kafirs—Appearance of the Country—Prospects of Gold—Scarcity of Game—Bush Fire—Narrow Escape—Transport Driver—Waterburg Sulphur Baths—Nylstroom Road—Return to Pretoria—Coach to Johannesburg—Post Cart Travelling—Richmond—Heidelburg—Standerton—Newcastle—Eland's Laagte—Natal Railway—Coal Fields—Laing's Nek—Majuba Hill—Ingogo—Scenery of Natal—Public Buildings—House of Assembly—Statue of the Queen—British Troops—Railway Journey—Town Hall—Municipal arrangements—Trade—Harbour Works—The "Berea"—Natal Central Sugar Company's Manufactory—Trappist Establishment—Trade—Town Hall—Public Library—Ostrich Feathers—The "Hill"—Botanical Garden—Hospital—Water Supply—Churches—Presentation of an address—Railway Journey—Scenery—Botanical Gardens—Mountain Road—Museum—The Prison—Kafir School—Ostrich Farm at Heatherton Towers—Export of Feathers—Scenery—Hex River Pass—Arrival at Cape Town—Lecture at Young Men's Christian Society—Start for England—Arrival at Southampton...