EMIGRATION TO SOUTH AFRICA. 229 



depends wholly and solely on her mineral resources, 

 as her other assets are too insignificant, and too 

 unsusceptible of any really material augmentation, 

 to count for much relatively to her indebtedness. 

 Fortunately there seems to be no reason to fear 

 that the output of gold will show any decrease for 

 many years to come, and every reason to feel 

 confident that a great increase in that output will 

 be annually realised for an indefinite but certainly 

 long period. 



The future of the diamond fields, although 

 hopeful, is less certain of a lengthy state of 

 prosperous endurance, simply because the supply 

 of these stones largely exceeds demands, and the 

 profits on them at present rates are only main- 

 tained by artificial means some of which are 

 iniquitous, and all in conflict with the tradition 

 and customs of modern commerce. Moreover, 

 these gems do not wear out, and at best are merely 

 ornamental adjuncts of the toilettes of the more 

 foolish or of the more vulgar classes, bear no 

 interest, and lock up a very considerable amount 

 of capital, which would otherwise be more bene- 

 ficially employed. 



Intending settlers in any part of South Africa 



