want to kill your tortoise, he must be artfully induced to imprudently protrude his head beyond his thick and impregnable shell, and then the task becomes a very easy one.  This little parable was considered good for use on more than one occasion, varied by the addition that, if the tortoise be up to the trick, it is necessary to sit down and wait until he does make the fatal mistake.  The only drawback to our profound intellectual delight in the parable is the question, ’Who will be the tortoise?’—­December 27, 1895.

A perusal of the German White Book shows that

On December 24 the German Consul in Pretoria telegraphed to the Foreign Office that ’news from Johannesburg points to the preparation of disturbances by the English party there, and the Government is taking precautionary measures.’  Baron von Marschall communicated this to Sir Frank Lascelles, and, after pointing out the possible consequence of bloodshed, emphasized once again the necessity for maintaining the status quo.  In reply to the German Consul in Pretoria, the Secretary of State telegraphed a similar statement, adding:  ’Impress energetically upon the Transvaal Government that it must most scrupulously avoid any provocation if it wishes to retain German sympathy.’

Another little light on the inside history is that afforded by Mr. J.C.  Bodenstein, Field-cornet of the Krugersdorp district, who in the course of an interview accorded to the Standard and Diggers’ News, the Johannesburg Government organ, stated how he came to know of Jameson’s intended invasion.  He heard that a certain young lady who resided at Luipaardsvlei, near Krugersdorp, whose fiance occupied a good position in the Bechuanaland Border Police, had received a letter from him at Mafeking to the effect that he intended paying her a visit about the New Year, and that he would not be alone, as the whole force was coming to Johannesburg.  The lady proved no exception to the alleged rule concerning secrets, and Field-cornet Bodenstein personally assured himself of the authenticity of the report he had heard.

On Friday, December 27, a German gentleman from the Free State also informed the Field-cornet that Dr. Jameson and his troopers might be expected at any time.  ‘On hearing this confirmation of the letter,’ said Mr. Bodenstein, ’I went at once to Pretoria.  I arrived there at eleven o’clock at night, and early the next morning I saw the President and informed him about the letter and what I had been told.  He remarked quietly:  “Yes, I have heard all about it” The General (Joubert) then said:  “All right; I will send you the ammunition you require."’

In the report of the Select Committee of the Cape House of Assembly (Blue Book A 6 of 1896, page 76) there is the evidence of the Hon. J.A.  Faure, M.L.C., which shows that he and Sir Thomas Upington, the Attorney-General of Cape Colony, were on a visit to Johannesburg on December 27, and heard it publicly stated that Dr. Jameson with 800 men was on the border for the purpose of invading the Transvaal.  Mr. Faure testifies that he learned this from a very prominent Free State Dutchman.  Among others, one would suppose that the Transvaal Government must also have heard something of it.