22 SOUTH AFRICA. 



I do not pretend to appraise the value of the 

 spiritual results of African missions, but my im- 

 pression is that if their cost was judiciously 

 applied to ameliorate the social and moral con- 

 ditions of our myriads of home-bred heathen, the 

 money would be better employed, and yield a more 

 abundant harvest in far more important localities. 



In 1845-46 the plains of the Orange Free State 

 were covered with herds of gnus, Burchell's zebras, 

 blesbuck, and springbuck in numbers which, if 

 approximately hinted at now with absolute truth, 

 would wrinkle the countenance of the reader with 

 a derisive smile. These plains were very well 

 supplied with water, either in the form of rivulets 

 or chains of deep pools, and the herbage, though 

 kept short by the game herds, looked infinitely 

 superior to any I had seen within Colonial limits. 

 Here and there quaint rock mounds and low stony 

 ridges dotted over more or less with bush varied 

 the scene, and afforded well-tenanted lairs to the 

 numerous lions and other predatories, whose abun- 

 dant food supplies were always within easy grip. 

 It was indeed a charming loafing-ground for any 

 man of contemplative instincts dashed with hunting 

 proclivities. I spent many enjoyable months on 



