136 SOUTH AFRICA. 



of the diamond mines. These mines absorbed the 

 attention of the South African public for some 

 years, during which the swindle was a working 

 factor for the benefit of its originators. 



At the period alluded to a Gladstonian 

 Administration ruled the political roost, and Lord 

 Kimberley was at the head of the Colonial Office. 

 Mr. Gladstone was then a member of the " Little 

 England " party, and therefore bitterly averse to 

 Colonial extension as a principle; but the 

 apparent value of the diamond fields proved an 

 irresistible temptation to depart from the course 

 of policy which was then in the ascendant 

 Annexation was decided on finally, the excuse 

 offered being that by Imperial occupation only 

 could the confusion locally prevalent owing to 

 the weakness and incompetency of the Orange 

 Free State Government, which was in possession, 

 by purchase, of the richest diamondiferous area in 

 Griqualand West, be reduced to order. 



The real motive probably was that by a cheap 

 acquisition of this glittering prize the Administra- 

 tion hoped to obtain an accession of popularity 

 and votes. 



The difficulties of the assumed situation were 



