THE TRANSVAAL. 189 



priestridden than it is easy for an ordinary 

 Englishman to understand. When you know him 

 intimately, and are careful to avoid controversial 

 topics, it very soon becomes apparent that his 

 religion is largely conventional, and so interwoven 

 with superstition that an expert alone could assign 

 it an adequately descriptive name, or appraise 

 approximately its spiritual value. The priesthood, 

 or ministers, among these people enjoy the advan- 

 tage of being credited by their congregations 

 with semi-supernatural endowments as being the 

 accredited brokers or agents through whom alone 

 all spiritual business can be effectually transacted, 

 and are habitually spoken of as " Gezent van den 

 Heires " (Heaven-sent Messengers), and it is there- 

 fore not surprising that these envoys accept the 

 position with its accruing advantages, acquire a 

 good deal of property, and enjoy to the fullest 

 extent at least " otium " and locally at least a large 

 allowance of the " dignitate." I use the word 

 locally advisedly, as neither their manners nor 

 culture would suffice as claims to a share of the 

 latter distinctions amongst any other than the 

 semi-civilised community they exploit These 

 reverend persons as a rule confine themselves to 



