now and then, a few of the indigenous Mimosa shrubs, which, for hundreds of miles, grow fitfully on this desolate soil.  This is the wonderful tract of country called the Great Karoo.  Not a sign of animal life is to be detected, at this period of the year.  During the summer months it affords pasturage for large flocks of sheep.  It is a vast interminable sea of lone land, over which the eye wanders unceasingly during the whole of the daylight hours.

[Illustration:  Decorative]

[Footnote A:  The First Series was published in 1887.]

[Illustration:  Decorative]

Kimberley.

After another long night in the railway train, at noon on the second day, after leaving Cape Town, I reached the celebrated diamond town of Kimberley, the population of which consists of about 6,000 Europeans, with a native population estimated at about 10,000, chiefly concentrated in the mining area.

On my arrival at the railway station, I was met by the Mayor, and a deputation of the residents of the town.  At a conversazione held later, and which was attended by over four hundred ladies and gentlemen, the following address was presented to me by the Fellows of the Royal Colonial Institute resident at Kimberley and Beaconsfield:—­

     “Kimberley, June 1st, 1889.

     “To sir Frederick young, K.C.M.G.

     “A Vice-President of the Royal Colonial Institute.

“Dear sir,—­We, the Fellows of the Royal Colonial Institute, resident in the towns and mining centres of Kimberley, and Beaconsfield, South Africa, cordially welcome your arrival amongst us.

“We are persuaded that your visit to this distant part of Her Majesty’s Dominions has been undertaken, not merely for personal pleasure, but also on behalf of the great and growing need for the consolidation and expansion of colonial interests throughout the Empire.

“We feel that your own career has been an important factor in the formation of a sound public opinion on this subject, and that it is largely through your patient and far-seeing efforts, that the Royal Colonial Institute has attained its present proud position amongst the various, influences, moulding, organising, and guiding the life and destinies of Her Majesty’s Colonial Empire.

“We believe the present time to be vitally important in the history of Her Majesty’s Dominions in South Africa.  The tide of confederation, and corporate union is manifestly rising, the wave of extended British influence is flowing northwards, the various nationalities and states of this vast country are educating themselves by experience to see the folly and sterile weakness of isolation, and are learning to realise the inherent strength, and vitality of mutual co-operation, based on a self respecting, yet unselfish responsibility to South Africa as a whole.