My diary continues through May: 

FIRST WEEK.—­Petitions in favour of the Reformers are being signed all over the country.  All feeling against the Reform Committee has veered round, and the strongest sympathy is now felt for them.  Only the extreme of the Boer and Hollander factions chant the old story of their trying to subvert the Government—­conniving with Jameson, and then deserting him, &c., &c.

Landdrost Schutte and Captain Shields quarrel over who shall have charge of the jail.  Apparently it is an appointment of honour, or large emolument.

Gregorowski is publicly hooted on his return to Bloemfontein.  I hear that as soon as Gregorowski had pronounced the death sentence, Judge Morice dashed from the Court-room and ran hatless through the streets of Pretoria to withdraw Gregorowski’s name, which had been put up at the Club, at his request.  This is a sample of the feeling among honourable men.  Judge Morice is a Burgher and a prominent Judge of the Transvaal Court.  The Jury of Burghers called for the final trial, which was never empanelled, were greatly surprised and affected by the fearful sentence—­some of them wept like children.  And they were the first to draw up a petition for commutation.

Prisoners are still wearing their own clothes, although it is said that enough jumpers of prison sacking are waiting to breech the lot.  They suffer severely from cold and dampness, the prison accommodations offering little or no protection from the weather.  Many of them are ill.  There is talk of separating the Reformers and sending them to jail in various districts—­Barberton, Rustenburg, and Lydenburg.  This threat causes much apprehension, for their one solace is being together.

Rumour of English troops gathering on the Border.

President Kruger and the High Commissioner exchanging opinion over the uneasiness.  Kruger calls out, ‘I see Bugaboos in your front yard,’ and Sir Hercules responds, ‘Oh no; that’s our tame cat.’

Petitions come in from the country districts of the Transvaal.  From Durban and Pietermaritzburg, with over a thousand signatures, from Lorenco Marques, a second from Durban, and one from the Orange Free State, expressing sympathy and the hopes of President Steyn.

Natal sends a petition signed by 4,000 Burghers.

The sentences are commuted, but nobody knows to what.

General Joubert is sent off with a ten days’ leave of absence to take his annual bath.

Messrs. Rose Lines and Solomon visit the jail daily.

SECOND WEEK.—­In spite of hardships my dear husband’s health improves.  He vows the death sentence has cured him.  From day to day we are promised a final decision from the Executive, but matters are still drifting.  Nothing will probably be done in this direction until General Joubert returns to Pretoria, as he is one of the members of the Executive Council.  It is suggested to me by