THE TRANSVAAL. 193 



possible the perusal of any other kind of literature ; 

 the Boers have no desire to disobey their behests. 

 These people, indeed, rarely read anything but 

 Old Testament records, and profess to find in them 

 all the spiritual nutriment they need, evidently 

 considering the New Testament as a work of 

 secondary importance, although they are by no 

 means inclined to forego the title of Christians. 

 Right or wrong, such is a sketch of the impressions 

 in regard to Boer religion which have been forced 

 upon me by observations, and I merely mention 

 them for what they are worth, be it much, little, 

 or nothing. 



The insane rage for the acquisition of territory 

 in Africa which prevailed a few years ago seems 

 fortunately to be abating as the knowledge of the 

 unfitness of the country generally for permanent 

 occupation by European races increases, but even 

 now the influx of immigrants in search of the 

 rapid fortunes they so foolishly hope to make 

 either at Johannesburg or in Rhodesia is threaten- 

 ing a catastrophe of serious import in the near 

 future, as the Cape Colony, the Transvaal, the 

 Orange River Free State, and Natal are being 

 rapidly denuded of a sufficient supply of food for 



O 



