186 
SPORT AND WAR. 
CHAP. XXI. 
and the Prince replied, with a most courteous smile, 
that 4 Her Majesty the Queen ’ was quite well. 
On the 10th His Royal Highness halted at Graham’s 
Town, and the day was devoted to laying foundation- 
stones of public buildings, receiving addresses and 
public deputations, visiting the principal places, and 
paying some royal visits, one of which was to Oatlands, 
the park and residence of Sir Walter and Lady Currie. 
As His Royal Highness entered the grounds he passed 
under a beautiful arch made of evergreens and wild 
flowers ; and on one of the pretty slopes facing the 
house the Prince planted a young oak tree, which has 
been cared for in remembrance of his visit ever since. 
Sir Walter fenced off some acres of ground round the 
spot, and had the tree carefully tended and watered 
for years. It is now a gigantic oak tree, and under its 
shade I have often rested and contemplated the past 
and future of that great country of South Africa. 
Currie’s grounds are always open to the public. And 
on all public holidays you may see thousands of 
people enjoying their picnics in all directions, and a 
crowd always round the Prince’s tree. Alas ! the excel¬ 
lent and benevolent owner of the property has since 
passed away from amongst us, but his amiable widow 
still keeps it up as it was in his day. 
From Graham’s Town a fresh start was made for 
Fort Beaufort, British Kaffraria, and on to the frontier 
