A Winter Tour in South Africa

Winter Tour in South Africa, A

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Title: A Winter Tour in South Africa
Author: Frederick Young

Release Date: July 30, 2005 [eBook #16399]
Language: en
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A WINTER TOUR IN SOUTH AFRICA
by
SIR FREDERICK YOUNG, K.C.M.G.
(Reprinted by permission from the Proceedings of the Royal Colonial Institute, with large additions, Illustrations, and a Map.)
London: E.A. Petherick & Co., 33, Paternoster Row, E.C.
1890

[Illustration: MY WAGON.]

TO HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, PRINCESS LOUISE, MARCHIONESS OF LORNE,
This Volume, describing a recent tour, during which a large portion of Her Majesty's magnificent Dominions in South Africa were traversed, is, by gracious permission, dedicated with feelings of sincere respect.

[Illustration: Decorative]

INTRODUCTION.
The growth of the great Colonies of the British Empire is so phenomenal, and their development is so rapid, and remarkable, that if we are to possess a correct knowledge of their actual state, and condition, from year to year, their current history requires to be constantly re-written.
The writer of a decade since, is, to-day, almost obsolete. He has only produced a current record of facts, and places, at the period he wrote. This is especially the case with South Africa.
I have recently returned from a very interesting tour in that remarkable country. My impressions were noted down, as they occurred, from day to day. A summary of my observations, and of the incidents, in connection with my journey, was the subject of a Paper I read at the opening meeting of the present Session of the Royal Colonial Institute, on the 12th of November last. I wish it to be understood that the opinions expressed on that occasion were my own, and that the Institute as a body is in no way responsible for them. This Paper has formed the outline of the volume, which--with much new matter from my note book--I now offer to the public, in the belief, that the narrative of a traveller, simply seeking instruction, as well as amusement, from a few months tour, while traversing some 12,000 miles by sea, and 4,000 miles by land, through the wonderful country in which he lately roamed, might prove of some use, in awakening additional interest on the part of the general public, to one of the most promising, and valuable portions of the Colonial Empire.
In this spirit, I offer my "Winter Tour in South Africa," to my countrymen, "at home and beyond the seas," in the hope that it may receive from them, a favourable reception.
On the "Political Situation," I have spoken strongly and frankly, I hope not too much so. The result of my personal observations has convinced me, that I have only correctly expressed the opinions, very widely entertained by large classes of Her Majesty's subjects in South Africa.
I cannot conclude without acknowledging the aid I have derived from the Statistical information contained in the "Argus Annual," and it also affords me much pleasure to thank Mr. James R. Boos��, the Librarian of the Royal Colonial Institute, for the assistance he has rendered me.
FREDERICK YOUNG
5, Queensberry Place, S.W. _1st January, 1890._

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
MY WAGON Frontispiece
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, CAPETOWN facing 6
PARLIAMENT HOUSE, CAPETOWN facing 8
JOHANNESBURG, MARKET PLACE facing 57
CEMETERY, MAJUBA HILL facing 81
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, MARITZBURG facing 83
A STREET IN MARITZBURG facing 84
TOWN HALL, DURBAN facing 86
HARBOUR WORKS, DURBAN facing 89
HEX RIVER PASS facing 107

CONTENTS.
PAGE
DEDICATION. v.
INTRODUCTION. vii.
THE VOYAGE.--Embark at Southampton--Amusements at Sea--Lisbon--Madeira--Teneriffe--St. Helena--Longwood--Arrival at Cape Town 1-4
CAPE TOWN.--Queen's Birthday--Review of Troops--Regatta--Table Bay--Table Mountain--Hotels--House of Parliament--Observatory--South African Museum--Public Library--Botanic Gardens--Record Office--Places of Worship--Harbour Works and Breakwater--Graving Dock--Simon's Town--Kalk Bay--Constantia--Wynberg--Journey to Kimberley 5-21
KIMBERLEY.--Address of Welcome from the Fellows of the Royal Colonial Institute--Diamond Industry--Bultfontein Mine--DeBeer's Mine--Compounds--United Companies--Central Kimberley Diamond Mine--Kimberley Hospital--Progress of Kimberley--Town Hall--Post Office--High Court--Public Library--Waterworks--En route for Bechuanaland--Wagon Travelling--Warrenton--Drake's Farm 22-38
BECHUANALAND.--Scenery--Field for Settlement--Vryburg--Lochnagar Farm--Prospect of Gold Discovery 39-46
KLERKSDORP.--Nooitgedacht Mine--Pan Washing--Klerksdorp Gold Estates Company--Future of Klerksdorp 47-49
POTCHEFSTROOM.--Wagon Journey--Presence of Gold-bearing Reefs--Vultures--Fort and Cemetery--Chevalier Forssman 50-52
JOHANNESBURG.--Difficulties of Travelling--Appearance of the Town--Gold--Knights--The Jumpers--Robinson's--Langlaagte--Descent to the Mines--Market Square--Growth of Johannesburg--Sanitary arrangements 53-59
PRETORIA.--Water Supply--The Volksraad--President Paul Kruger--High Court of Justice--Want of Railroads--Growing Prosperity--Post Office--New Government Buildings--Political and Social Life--Pretoria Races 60-65
WATERBURG.--Polonia--Hebron--Salt Pans--Kafirs--Appearance of the Country--Prospects of Gold--Scarcity of Game--Bush Fire--Narrow Escape--Transport Driver--Waterburg Sulphur Baths--Nylstroom Road--Return to Pretoria 66-78
PRETORIA TO NATAL.--Coach to Johannesburg--Post Cart Travelling--Richmond--Heidelburg--Standerton--Newcastle--Eland's Laagte--Natal Railway--Coal Fields--Laing's Nek--Majuba Hill--Ingogo--Scenery of Natal 79-82
MARITZBURG.--Public Buildings--House of Assembly--Statue of the Queen--British Troops 83-84
DURBAN.--Railway Journey--Town Hall--Municipal