POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 9 



called them back early left by tbe quickest routes from Cairo, many 

 others disembarked at Marseilles, the final port of call, and the re- 

 mainder proceeded with the ship to Southampton, which was reached 

 on October 24. 



The route thus outlined was admirable for seeing as much as pos- 

 sible in the time, thirty-five days, which could be spent in South 

 Africa. But many of those who went out had more specific objects 

 in view than attendance at the meetings or sight-seeing, and arrange- 

 ments were accordingly made so that any one could deviate from the 

 official route and travel by the ordinary trains. Some went to Durban 

 by the only railway route — through Johannesburg; others omitted 

 Natal altogether and spent the extra time examining the geological 

 and botanical features of Cape Colony and the Orange River Colony; 

 some avoided a great part of the long ride from Johannesburg to 

 Bulawayo by going on ' trek ' from Potchefstrom, or from Pretoria, to 

 Mafeking; other parties trekked from Bloemfontein through Paarede- 

 berg to Kimberley; and so on. And in each case something new and 

 definite was to be seen or learnt. 



Everywhere the arrangements made by the local committees were 

 admirable. When it is remembered that about 360 people from Europe 

 landed in Cape Town and were carried over an immense extent of 

 territory, were lodged and fed everywhere in comfort and without going 

 through any hardships beyond the fatigue caused by such rapid travel- 

 ing, and this almost without a hitch of any sort, one can not too highly 

 praise the ability and devotion of all those who were responsible for 

 the organization. And it must be added also that it was not only 

 those who kept to the official route who were alone considered. At 

 every place efforts were made to find out what the various members 

 wished to do and, if possible, arrangements were made to accommodate 

 even a small number; alternative excursions were described in printed 

 circulars, previously distributed, and all that was asked was for each 

 member to apply at the committee room for tickets, so that the number 

 joining any particular excursion might be known. At every place 

 where a stop was made each person knew in advance where he or she 

 was to stay, and conveyances and guides were ready at the station so 

 that there should be no delay or confusion. For example, all that was 

 asked of us at Johannesburg was to stand at the windows of our own 

 compartments as the train steamed into the station, and when the train 

 stopped each host was found standing on the platform opposite his 

 guest. Our baggage, previously directed, arrived later in the day, and 

 meanwhile we were driven, first to the committee room, where we made 

 the circuit of a long counter, gathering up handbooks, tickets and mail, 

 and then to our destinations. And so it was everywhere. No matter 

 seemed too small for consideration and preparation. Many of us felt 



