2 70 MATABELE LAND. 
Oates in this country, Mr. Gilchrist found but one 
opinion expressed concerning him. Many were the 
kindnesses treasured in men's minds and now related, 
which he had rendered to those he had encountered 
in his travels ; whilst, on the other hand, he had him- 
self apparently been no less fortunate in the kindly 
services he had received from others. Friends had 
arisen where he least expected them, beyond the pale 
of European civilization, from each of whom he 
parted in turn with a consciousness of mutual regret. 
Such was the way in which he drew all hearts 
towards him ; and after his death, the good offices 
of those who loved or esteemed him in his lifetime 
were generously placed at the service of his family. 
Conspicuous amongst this number stood the Rev. 
John Mackenzie, of Bamangwato, and Mr. F. A. 
Hathorn, of the Standard Bank, Pietermaritzburg, 
the former of whom undertook the duties of executor 
for the arrangement of his affairs in the interior, 
whilst a like responsibility was accepted by the 
latter for the settlement of matters in Natal, Nor 
was it only what these two gentlemen did, but even 
more the manner of their doing it, which placed the 
traveller's relatives under a lasting sense of obliga- 
tion to them, and served not a little to soothe the 
first bitterness of their affliction. 
And now this brief history of the efforts and too 
early extinction of a devoted life, otherwise it may 
be conjectured destined to have rendered no mean 
service in the extension of scientific knowledge and 
research, may be concluded with a few words, written 
