A Paddixgton Man. 



River Pass, the summit of wliicli is some 3000 feet 

 above the level of the sea. The road, which is a 

 triumph of engineering skill, has an average gradient 

 of 1 in 40, and no fewer than seventy-two curves, 

 some of them very sharp. To view the magnificent 

 mountain prospect with more advantage our party 

 was accommodated with scats on the little platform 

 in front of the engine, and the sensations of 

 travelling in this manner along the verge of preci- 

 pices of giddy depth and over iron bridges of frail 

 appearance were at once novel and thrilling. The 

 engine-dri\':er, who was very affectionate, confided 

 to me Avhile we Avere passing at respectable speed 

 an apparently dangerous portion of the track, that 

 he was a Paddington man. This is the second 

 gentleman occupying an ofiicial position connected 

 with the administration of the railroads of South 

 Africa who claimed Paddington as his birthplace 

 and his home, and who saluted with joy the 

 appearance of his representative in Parliament. 



]\Iatjesfontein, which we reached in the evening 

 and where ws passed the night, aftbrds a remark- 

 able example of what can be eftected by the energy 

 of the Englishman. Mr. J. D. Logan, who is the 

 proprietor of an estate here of 100,000 acres in 

 extent, has settled himself down on what appears 

 at first sight to be the most unpromising spot for 

 a farmer which the mind can imagine. Here, in 

 the arid plain of the Karroo, producing nothing 

 but low scrub and scanty herbage, he has built 

 himself a large and comfortable house, a spacious 

 homestead with oood cottas-es for his men, and 



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