From the wonderful and ever-increasing development which has taken place in the northern part of South Africa since the discovery of diamonds and gold, causing the employment of thousands upon thousands of native Kafirs at high wages, their social position is being materially changed.  They are really becoming “masters of the situation.”  Their constant contact with white people is having the effect of introducing among them the germs of an incipient civilisation.  The mode of treating them by the British and the Dutch is, undoubtedly, very different.  A far harsher and more cruel method has been in vogue by the Dutch towards them, than would be tolerated by the British.  But, from the cause to which I have alluded, the day has arrived when all this old system is sensibly changing; and the Draconian code of the Boers, from the force of circumstances, is becoming modified every day.  I have made it my business to observe carefully all the signs of the times, on this native question during my tour.  I have seen the Kafirs in thousands working in the mines at Kimberley, and Klerksdorp, and Johannesburg; I have observed them in multitudes employed in extensive building operations at Pretoria, and as labourers on the public works at Maritzburg and Durban, and at the other great shipping centres of Port Elizabeth and Cape Town; I have noticed them in their capacity of servants in private houses, and I frankly confess that no evidence has been brought before me to indicate, that they are harshly or unkindly treated.  On the contrary, it appeared to me that they are receiving good wages, and are everywhere well cared for and comfortable.  They are naturally a lively and a happy race, and I have seen them as cheerful and light-hearted in the town, as in their kraals on the wild and open veldt.

[Illustration:  Decorative]

[Illustration:  Decorative]

RAILWAYS.

I have already mentioned that, in my interview with the President, Paul Kruger, I told him that I was never in a country, which, in my opinion, required railways more than the Transvaal, and that I hoped to see the day when it would be penetrated by them in every direction.  It is much to be regretted that there is so much jealous rivalry, inducing fierce contention, as to the precise direction, from the east, or south, or west, railroads should enter the Transvaal.  I contend, that there is such a prospect of future enormous development in this wonderful centre of South Africa, that there is no need for all this rivalry, but that there is room for many lines in which all may participate and prosper, in the future.  Political considerations have undoubtedly complicated a question, which I should wish to regard solely from its commercial aspect.