792 DIAMOND FIELDS. 



might be obtained without any vast expenditure of time or 

 money, for even in the present condition of things, while the 

 solid rock still remains intact, the yield of copper for years past 

 has been very considerable." The Foorian copper even now 

 takes a prominent part in the commerce of the entire Soudan ; 

 it is conveyed across Wadai to Kano in Haussa, and, according 

 to Earth, it holds its own in the market, even against that im- 

 ported from Tripoli. 



But during the last few years more tempting treasures than 

 copper or gold even have been attracting attention to Africa. 

 The diamond fields of South Africa have created quite a sensa- 

 tion. These remarkable fields are situated between the 26° and 

 30° lat. S., and 22° and 28° E. long., on both sides of the Vaal 

 river. All the information which has yet been given to the 

 world respecting these fields has been of so vague a nature, and 

 has come through such unreliable channels, that thousands who, 

 if they had known the real truth respecting the operations there, 

 or could have felt assured of the reliable nature of the stories 

 which they heard, would have been long ago located and at 

 work in that beautiful and pleasant region, are still incredulous. 

 Yet the work goes on with increasing importance. The history 

 of Californian and Australian mining has of course been re- 

 peated — a few have become rich, while many have been griev- 

 ously disappointed. But really "great success has attended 

 well-directed efforts, and these fields may yet prove themselves 

 one of the most important paymasters appointed by God in 

 Africa to reward the nations for their perseverance in their 

 efforts to redeem it from darkness." 



Whatever the future may reveal concerning the extent of the 

 mineral resources of Africa or its agricultural importance, in 

 its past history, if we except slaves only, ivory has been its 

 chief export. Those vast forests are the abode of immense 

 herds of elephants, whose tusks supply this important com- 

 modity. This trade has, however, like everything else, suffered 

 greatly by that in slaves — everything, indeed, been second to 

 the slave-trade, and it is only within the last few years that 

 any portion of the continent has been allowed to demonstrate 

 the importance of its legitimate resources. Within those few 

 years the prosperity on the western coast has been astonish- 



