found the skeletons of the guardians strewed all over the place.  The books of a good library—­my solace in our solitude—­were not taken away, but handfuls of the leaves were torn out and scattered over the place.  My stock of medicines was smashed; and all our furniture and clothing carried off and sold at public auction to pay the expenses of the foray.  I do not mention these things by way of making a pitiful wail over my losses, in order to excite commiseration; for though I feel sorry for the loss of lexicons, dictionaries, &c., &c., which had been the companions of my boyhood, yet, after all, the plundering only set me entirely free for my expedition to the north, and I have never since had a moment’s concern for anything I left behind.  The Boers resolved to shut up the interior, and I determined to open the country.”

* * * * *

Mr. A. McArthur, of Holland Park, wrote on March 22nd of this year:—­

“When looking over some old letters a few days ago, I found one from the late venerable Dr. Moffat, who was one of the best friends South Africa ever had.  It was written in answer to a few lines I wrote him, informing him that the Transvaal had been annexed by the British Government.  I enclose a copy of his letter.”

Dr. Moffat’s letter is as follows:—­July 27th, 1877.

“My dear friend,

“I have no words to express the pleasure the late annexation of the Transvaal territory to the Cape Colony has afforded me.  It is one of the most important measures our Government could have adopted, as regards the Republic as well as the Aborigines.  I have no hesitation in pronouncing the step as being fraught with incalculable benefits to both parties,—­i.e., the settlers and the native tribes.  A residence of more than half a century beyond the colonial boundary is quite sufficient to authorize one to write with confidence that Lord Carnarvon’s measure will be the commencement of an era of blessing to Southern Africa.  I was one of a deputation appointed by a committee to wait on Sir George Clarke, at Bloemfontein, to prevent, if possible, his handing over the sovereignty, now the Free State, to the emigrant Boers.  Every effort failed to prevent the blunder.  Long experience had led many to foresee that such a course would entail on the native tribes conterminous oppression, slavery, alias apprenticeship, etc.  Many a tale of woe could be told arising, as they express it, from the English allowing their subjects to spoil and exterminate.  Hitherto, the natives have been the sufferers, and might justly lay claim for compensation.  With every expression of respect and esteem, I remain, yours very sincerely, Robert Moffat.”

* * * * *

A letter from a Son of Dr. Moffat may have some interest here.  It is dated December 20th, 1899.