THE DIAMOND FIELDS. 143 



the Hottentots" at Griquatown. On this occasion 

 this elderly Lothario capered about with his 

 Hottentot Venuses, in full uniform as Her 

 Majesty's representative, and no doubt had a good 

 time of it, albeit rather a costly one to taxpayers. 



Another official obtained a most responsible 

 situation through the influence exerted to that 

 end by a personage who shall be nameless here, 

 on the ground that he had effectually aided in the 

 escape of an alleged criminal of high degree, and, 

 in fact, the whole lot, with perhaps one exception, 

 were brilliant examples of the skill Government 

 too seldom exhibits in the selection of its sub- 

 ordinate officers. At that time law in the diamond 

 fields was only an obstacle to be trampled under 

 foot at the caprice of the Administrator, justice 

 a subject of ridicule, and order of a kind only 

 enforced by the presence of troops occasionally 

 requisitioned from the Cape when, by sheer 

 tyranny, the diggers were at times driven to 

 extremities. This state of things continued till, 

 in consequence of the proceedings of the Royal 

 Commission and the judgment pronounced by 

 Judge Stockenstrom, a sudden end was put to it 

 by the Cape High Commissioner, Sir Henry 



