270 HOME LIFE ON AN OSTRICH FARM. 



tentot nurse-girls. They do as they like, say whatever 

 comes uppermost, and behave at table in any sort of out- 

 rageous fashion that pleases them ; while the father and 

 mother sit unmoved, apparently surprised at nothing 

 their progeny may see fit to do. The latter being totally 

 unencumbered by bashf ulness, the presence of strangers 

 acts as n restraint ; and a dinner taken in the company 

 of a large family of boys, of stolid parents, and in- 

 different elder sisters, is for the newly-imported English 

 visitor a novel and rather startling experience, the 

 details of which, however, are best left to oblivion. 



But, on the whole, the young Africander's bringing- 

 up unpleasant though he certainly is during the 

 process is no doubt the best possible one to fit him 

 for the rough and active life of the farms, and to form 

 in him that independent character and those habits of 

 self-reliance and smartness in money matters which, 

 when he is grown up, stand him in such good stead. 

 And he does grow up with astounding rapidity ; being 

 at fifteen a thorough man of business, able to " do a 

 deal " with any one, and taking good care, you may be 

 sure, that the transaction is no unprofitable one to 

 himself. In this respect he affords a decided contrast 

 to the average young Englishman, who, at twenty-five, 

 is often where business matters are concerned as in- 

 experienced as a boy. 



The difficulties in the way of providing the children 

 with a good education are by no means one of the least 

 of South African drawbacks ; especially for those living 

 on the far-off country farms. Colonial schools do not 



