Zambesia, England's El Dorado in Africa ... An account of the Gold Fields of British South Africa

Front matter

; '-*■*. vi. ) L __.\'J/F j-bUmam fnatnietien, i Asms? FROM CAPE TOWM TO CAIRO VIA VICTORIA FALLS'. 33*— «W tPpBESIA, EL DORADO / I IN AFRICA, Being a description of Matabeleland and Mashonaland, and the less-known Adjacent Territories, and an Account of the GOLD FIELDS of BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA, E. P. MATHERS, F.G.S., F.R.G.S., Editor of "South Africa," and Author of "Golden South , Africa," " A Glimpse of the Gold Fields," " South Africa . and How to Beach It," -C. I speak of Africa, and golden joys. ____,„ 2 Henry iv., Act v., Sc. 3. _. ______y -* -" LONDON: Published by KING, SELL, & RAILTON, Ltd., GOUGH SQUARE & BOLT COURT, FLEET ST., E.C. SOUTH AFRICA: JUTA & CO., CAPE TOWN and JOHANNESBURG. V. 91, GRACECHURCH STREET. LONDON, E..C. A FEW OPINIONS-t?f THE PRESS. " Full of interest."— Daily Chronic^e'(^^^^^^^S'p\ " A very interesting volume."— Trutw) x^Æga^-JB^^i • " Surpassing interest." — Dundee Adi' e VÆ^^^T^Tyjy*'' " Charmingly written chaptets."— Enpin?»ijfc__&££*^ "Best authority on the subject."— Manchester Quardian.

VI Preface. rMMERSED as I am by my daily occupation in tlie chronicling and critical dissection of South African affairs, it seems to me as if it were hardly necessary to offer any explanation of the reason which has called thi3 work into existence. It is as true to-day as when the ancient writer said it, that there is ever some thing new from Africa. The founding of Zambesia by a royally chartered Company is the latest development in the advance of South Africa, and that development well merits the attention of the historian, however imperfectly, on account of partially concealed tendencies, he may be able to fulfil his function. Though the mighty proportions of the Imperial edifice which is now being reared in South Africa will only be accurately gauged by a fuller distance of Time, a justification for the publication of this book may be found in the rapid northern expansion of British South Africa, and the consequent accompanying desire for information about the territory brought recently under the control and civilising in fluences of the colossal corporation whicli sways the fortunes of Zambesia.

There is also possibly a special fitness in issuing this record at the conclusion of the prolonged negotiations with Portugal in respect of her claims to recognition as a South African Power. If tbe result of these negotiations bas left much to be desired from one point of view, it may, at least, be welcomed as an indication of an aspiration on the part of Portugal to live at peace with her British neighbours in South Africa. Let her but infuse the same wish into the hearts and minds of her representatives on the borders of Zambesia, and the march of great events may now go on uninterruptedly. The acts of these representatives have handicapped Portugal heavily in her endeavours to arrive at an amicable understanding with Lord Salisbury, but it may be assumed, now that so much has been achieved towards a pacific

Preface

. partnership of progress, that she will answer honourably for these acts. However the concession to Portuguese aggrandisement in Northern Zambesia may be regarded, " we are a people yet," and the destiny of the Anglo-Saxon race to open up Africa from South to North may safely be left to the hereditary capacities of that race. I have used all due care in the preparation of these pages, which are necessarily, to a large extent, of a collatitious character, and I need only add my grateful acknowledgments to those who have ungrudgingly assisted me to produce the only effort of its kind. THE AUTHOR. 23, Austin Friars, London, E.C June, 1891. Contents. MAPS. page Zambesia Facing 9 Southern Africa ........ , 445 INTEODUCTION 9

Chapter I

Ancient Africa. — Explorations to Date. — Gold the Lode-Star. — The Zimbabye Ruins in Mashonaland. — Mysterious and Massive Monuments of the Past. — How the Chartered Company's Force Ee-Discovered them. — Their Hoary Secrets. — What were They and Who Built Them ? — The Latest Effort to Solve a Profound Problem . . . .15 CHAPTEE II. Where the Queen of Sheba Lrv-ED. — The Gold of Ophir. — King Solomon's Mines. — The Empire of Monomotapa. — What Old Historians Wrote About It. — Golden South Africa Long Ago. — A Huge Output with Primitive Appliances. — A Vast Field Still to Work 43 CHAPTEE III. Early History of Matabeleland. — Founding of the Nation. — Career of Mosilikatse. — His Fights with the Boers. — Missionary Work in Matabeleland. — Visits to Mosilikatse. — That Potentate " At Home " . . . . . .62 CONTENTS.

CHAPTEE IV. page The Boers and Matabeleland. — Their Schemes to Annex the Country. — A Eepudiated Treaty. — Lo Bengula Favours the British. — A Long Farewell to Boer Dreams. — The Grobler Incident. — Sir Sidney Shippard's Visit to Lo Bengula. — His Thrilling Adventures. — Experiences at the King's Eraal. — Alarming Condition of Matabeleland . . . .74 CHAPTEE V. Mosilikatse's Successor. — Lo Bengula. — His Daily Life. — Manners and Customs at His Kraal. — Scenes of a Vanishing Barbarism ......... 93 CHAPTEE VI. Bechuanaland. — The Boers and their Western Border. — The Disputed Territory. — Khama's Summary of the Situation. — His 'Description of His Country. — Khama Among His People. — A Model Chief. — Palapye .... 118 CHAPTEE VII. Lo Bengula's Mission and Letter to the Queen. — Her Majesty's Eeply. — How the Matabele Envoys were Eeceived in England. — The Impressions they Eeturned with. — The Imperial Mission to Lo Bengula. — Their Eeception at the King's Kraal, and What they Saw .... 144 CHAPTEE VIII.

The High Eoad to Matabeleland. — Mafeking to Bulawayo and Beyond. — The Eoute Minutely Described. — A New Field for Emigration. — Old Gold Workings. — Social Life of the Matabeles. — Their Army. — Eesources of the Country. — Great Gold Deposits. — The Tati Gold Fields . . . 180 CHAPTEE IX. EOMANCE AND BeALITY.-— MASHONALAND. THE COUNTRY DESCRIBED. — Its Big Game. — Mr. Selous' Hunting Experiences. — Portugal's Absurd Claims to Mashonaland. — Mashonaland's Auriferous Wealth. — More Evidence of Authorities contents. 3 CHAPTEE X. page The Zambesi Biver. — The Course of the Mighty Stream Described. — The Victoria Falls. — An Earthly Par.adise. — Livingstone's Description of one of the Sights of the World. — Sketches of Livingstone and Baines . . . 241 CHAPTEE XI. Early Matabeleland Concessions. — How the Chartered Company's Concessions were Obtained and United . . 263 CHAPTEE XII.

The Origin of the British South Africa Company. — Sketch of the Events which led to its Formation. — Lo Bengula's Treaty with England. — Mr. Cawston and the Colonial Office. — Interviews and Correspondence. — The Eudd Concession. — Amalgamation of Interests. — Applying for the Charter. — Favourable Answer to the Petition. — Full Text of the Charter. — Lord Knutsford Explains its Provisions .......... 270 CHAPTEE XIII. The Chartered Company's Directors.— Brief Biographical Sketches ......... 299 CHAPTEE XIV. How The Eoyal Charter Was Eeceived. — The British South Africa Company Gets a Warm Welcome From The Press . 310 CHAPTEE XV. After the Charter was Granted. — How the Trust was Honoured. — Eaising the Chartered Company's Police and Pioneers. — Their Memorable March through Mashonaland. — A Brilliant Achievement. — Planting the Union Jack at Fort Salisbury. — Disbanding the Pioneers. — Prospecting for Gold. — Encouraging Success. — Lord Eandolph Churchill's Expedition. — The Company's Mining Begulations ..... PAGE contents.

CHAPTER XVI.

England and Portugal. — The Abortive Convention. — Gold in Manica. — The British South Africa Company Occupy the Country. — A Treaty Signed with the King. — Gouveia the Terrible. — The Manica " Incident." — The Chartered Company's Police are One Too Many for the Portuguese. — A Brilliant Coup. — The Portuguese Version. — Manica "Worth Telling afewLies About." — Gazaland. — Portugal's Untenable Claims to the Country. — Gungunhama Wants British Protection. — He Sends Envoys to England . . 387 CHAPTEE XVII. Portugal in 1891. — Outrages on British Subjects. — Violating the Modus Vivendi. — Its Prolongation. — Lord Salisbury Boused at Last. — Portuguese Towns in Africa . . 416 CHAPTEE XVIII. North of the Zambesi. — The Chartered Company's Vast Sphere. — The Lakes Company. — Nyassaland. — Barotseland. — A Valuable New Possession. — How Mr. Selous Nearly Lost His Life. — 'Ngamiland. — The Kalahari " Desert " . 427 CHAPTEE XIX.

Summing Up. — Mr. Ehodes's Policy. — Trade Prospects with Zambesia. — The Negotiations with Lisbon. — Portugal's Destiny in East Africa. — Britain's Share of the Continent. — Zambesia's Future. — Conclusion ..... contents. 5 APPENDICES. Appendix A. — Particulars of The Bechuanaland Exploration Company, Limited ; The Exploring Company, Limited ; The Gold Fields of South Africa, Limited ; The Central Search Assocation, Limited ; and The United Concessions Company, Limited ..... 460 ,, B. — The British South Africa Company's Terms to Prospectors in Mashonaland . . . 461 ,, C. — Itinerary of Eoute to Fort Salisbury, and General Tables of Distances ...... 463 ,, D. — England's Authority in Southern Zambesia ; Order in Council ....... 469 „ E. — British Protectorate over Nyassaland — Imperial Notification ...... 472 ,, F. — The Anglo-Portugese Convention of 1891 . . 472 GENEEAL INDEX GOLDEN SOUTH AFEICA.

A FEW OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. "Will remain of everlasting interest. "—Kokstad Advertiser. " Well written and easily comprehended."— Stock Ex.hange Times. " A mine of information, and a treasury of reference."— Public Opinion. " Throughout information of a practical character."— Daily Telegraph. " Written in a most agreeable and entertaining manner."— Barbcr'.on Hera'.d. "Valuable work. . . . Pleasantly vivacious manner."— Sheffield Dzi'y Telegraph. " Than Mr. Mathers no better guide to South Africa could be got." — Aberdeen Journal. " Mr. Mathers has done his work in his usual thorough style." — Komatie Observer. " Mr. Maihers is a recognized authority on South African affairs."— PM Mall Gazette. " A very good survey of the country and its history, from a mining pointof view."— Daily News. " The book is one of the most interesting that has seen the light for many a day." — Cape- Argus.

"The handbook amply informs all parties. It fully supplements the knowledge of the local man, and it is replete on every given point without exception, with all details which are required by the foreign inquirer." — Natal Advertiser, " The Gold Fields are languishing for want of English capital, and if anything is calculated to either invite or repel the English investor, it is in this book. As a guide-book to the South African mining centres it is the best work extant." — Natal Witness. " It is cram full of facts and information, which, so far as we are aware, can be obtained from no other published work. . . . Mr. Mathers believes in the new journalism, and his book, although invaluable to the mining interest, contains much that is as amusing and interesting as anything written by Lady Brassey." — Financial Critic.

"This very interesting volums consists of a series of sketche-; of the Transvaal Gold Fields from the pen of a distinguished Natal journalist .... Constitute a most graphic* and complete account of the early history and present prospects of many auriferous spots in South Africa. . . . That admirable work."— Weekly Bulletin. "In1 The Gold Fields Re-visited,' Mr. Edward P. Mathers, F.R.G.S., has revised and enlarged his valuable communications on the Gold Fields of South Africa .... The book contains much information and sound advioa, and gives a correot view of the present condition of the South African gold-bearing regions."— -Morning Post. " This work is a laborious and conscientious attempt on the part of Mr. Mathers to put before the public a mass of useful information on the subject of the Gold Fields of South Africa The work is well written, and full of information.

It should be read with care by all interested in the development of South Africa."— Mining World. " Shareholders will learn more by a persual of this book than from the statements issued by the various companies, and will find themselves able to gauge pretty accurately the value nf their property and the dividend it is likely to pay. ... It is clear that Mr. Mathers has thoroughly mastered his subject, and he has the knack of interesting his readers in what to most would be a very dry subject."— Financial World.

Index to Illustrations Abercorn, the Duke of, 300 African Lakes Company's House, 432 Africa in 13th Century, 15 After the Day's March, 353 Artillery Troop of Pioneers, 348 Harris, Dr. Rutherford, 395 Huts ia Mashonaland Hills, 331, 354 Imbezi Regiment, 111 Incident on the March, 361 Iuhambane Scenes, 425 Babjaan, 150 Baines, The late Mr. Thomas, 260 Baobab Tree, 139 Beit, Mr. Alfred, 307 Big Game, 219 Bit, A Stiff, 142 British South Africa Co., Flag of, 258 „ Seal of the, 269, 384 „ Monogram of the, 309 „ Board Room of the, 319 ,, Stamps of the, 384 Jameson, Dr., 146, 385 Johnston, Mr. H. H., 327, 423 Johnson, Major F., 331 Khama, 123 ,, Holding a Court, 123 ,, and Wife, 133 as a "Blue," 164 Kimberley Group, 333 Lake Tanganyika, Steamer on, 242 Lee's Castle, 187 Letter Carriers, Central African, 430 Limpopo, On the, 120, 122 „ ,, Game, 24S Livingstone, The Late Dr., 259 Lo Bengula " At Home," 95 ,, Reviewing his "Warriors, 98 Lo Bengula's Spy, 165 Loch, Sir Henry, 135 Loskay, 172 Lotsani, Flood on the, 140 Lunde River, Ruins at, 41 Cawston, Mr. Geo., 306 Central Africa in 1840, 16 Charter House, Bulawayo, 166 ■*, ,, Interior of, 167 Churchill, Lord Randolph, 381 Colenbrander, Mr., 150 Colquhoun, Mr. A. R., 327, 376 Common Occurrence ou the Road, 338 Common Veld Incident, 346 Crossing a River, 347 Crossing a Stream, 357 Don't let Me Drop, 183 Doyle, Mr. Denis, 146 Maguire, Mr. R., M.P., 327 Mandala.

House at, 432 Mashonaland, Sylvan Scene in, 374 „ Mountain Shelter, 331, 354 Mathers, Mr. E. P., Frontispiece Matlaputla Fort, 332 Matabeleland, Map of, 108 Matabele Headdress, 77, 96, 105 ,, Ornaments and Utensils, 86 „ General of Division, 97 ,, Commander-in-Chief, 97, 170 Girl, 103 „ Regent, 109 Soldiers, 111, 175 ,, Envoys, 150 „ Ladies, 172, 173 ,, Rain Doctor, 174 ,, Interviewing the, 345 „ Weapons, 369 „ Musical Instrument, 393 Embassies, British and Matabele, 178 Farquhar, Mr. H. B., 308 Ferguson, Capt. Victor, 162 Fiennes, Lieut, the Hon. Eustace, 401 Fife, the Duke of, 301 Fort Salisbury, 363 „ ,, Hoisting tbe British Flag at, 362 Fort Tuli, 348 Forbes, Major P. W., 40O Gifford, Lord, 302 " Good News," Steamer, 242 Grant, Mr., 327 Grey, Mr. Albert, 305 Gubulawayo, Environs of, 1C8 Gungunhama's Kraal. 410 ,, EnvoyB, ZAMBESIA, Maund, Mr. E. A., 115 Melladew, Surgeon-Major, 162 Metcalfe, Sir Chas., 385 Moffat, Mr. J. S., 146 Moffat, The Late Dr., 67 Moir, Mr. J. W., 327 Monomotapa, Map of, 45 Morier, Lieut., 403 Mozambique Views, 422 Robinson, Sir Hercules, 80 Selous, Mr. F. C, 367 Shippard, Sir Sidney, 85 and Party, 84 j. Tati River, 205 Telegraph Station at Palapye, 136 Thompson, Mr. Jos., 327 Natives Chanting Praises of the Ocean, 425 Umfuli River, 371 Umjan, Chief of the Imbizu Regt., 99 Umshete, 150 Umshabate, 174 Umthlaba, 171 Objecting to be Inspanned, 349 On the Umfuli River, 371 Palapye, Telegraph Station at, 136 Pennefather, Lt.-Col., 336 „ „ Pointing out Mount Hampden, 361 Pioneers in Review Order, 334 Pioneers, With the, 338, 340, 343, 345, 347, 349, 353, 357 Portuguese Gunboat on the Zambesi, 246 Vaal River, Locomotive Crossing, 119 Victoria Falls, 250, 251, 253, 256, 258 Views in Mozambique, 422 Weatherley, Mr. C. H., 385 Xutwayo, 170 Zambesi Sketches, 243 „ Portuguese Gunboat on the, 246 Zimbabye, Ruins at, 21, 28, 30 „ Relics from, 23 Quilimane Scenes, 425 Rhodes, The Hon. Cecil,

Introduction

. 57wT!iITH the formation of the British South Africa Company, I )( J and the founding of England's latest possession, Zam- •^ •*•* hesia, the nations of the world — some of them with illconcealed envy — saw a welcome new departure in the policy of the mother country towards South Africa. Albeit that it was taken at the eleventh hour, they witnessed a great step forward in the vitalisation of British centres of activity in South Africa, a re-quickening of that English national life which is to be all potent in fulfilling the Imperial destiny in that most interesting, most wealthy, and most romantic of all the continents ofthe earth. The successful march into, and peaceful occupation of, Mashona land by the Pioneer Force of the royally-chartered Company mark yet another distinct epoch in the history of Africa south of the Equator — yet another landmark in the progressive journey when it will be convenient to again survey the scene behind, beneath, and before.

Events political, and developments industrial, have alike moved with wonderful rapidity in South Africa during the past lustrum. A mere five or six years ago, before the eyes of men had been turned to the northern territories, and before the more important proofs of those golden possibilities in the Transvaal Republic, of which I wrote a decade back, had been given, the political student in looking out over the various civilised territories of South Africa and casting the horoscope of their future, would have unhesitatingly given it as his opinion that English domination was diminishing year by year, and that an Anglo-Boer policy of a consolidation of the States of South Africa, under a Republican form of government, was swiftly reducing this dominion to a vanishing point. Since certain deplorable occurrences, which ■need not be further referred to here, had shocked the national B ZAMBESIA. amour propre and astounded the Empire by their disgracefulness, the policy of England and of English people in South Africa was largely that of drift.

The policy of the Boers, and the Dutch generally, was, on the other hand, an active one. Their political keel was laid upon the lines of increasing the area of the Dutch Republics in all directions, and so minimising the chances of, and extinguishing the opportunities for, British expansion. The cry of a strong party, which got daily recruits, was "Africa for the Afrikander, from the Zambesi to Cape Town." It must not be forgotten that the conclusion of our supposititious studious seer would have been based to some extent on calculations showing the numerical preponderance of Boers or Dutch in South Africa over British-born subjects or their African-born descendants. In the Cape Colony alone, it was some five or six years ago estimated that of every three white people, two were Dutch ; that in the Transvaal and Free State, out of every ten white people, nine were Boer or Dutch ; and that in Natal alone was the scale weighed down in the other direction.

There the estimated proportion was four English to one Dutch resident. The change came suddenly. The development of the gold industry in the Transvaal drew to that country comparatively great numbers of English-speaking people, whether from the mother land or the maritime colonies in South Africa. This fast-growing industry also attracted many millions of English capital, and this circumstance, in its turn, compelled thousands of Englishmen residing in England to take a new and deeper interest in South Africa. Swazieland also absorbed not a few hundreds of thousands of pounds in a similar way, and also drew the attention of more English shareholders to political events in South Africa. These factors of industrial, commercial, and speculative enterprise indirectly influenced the tone of political feeling in South Africa.

It rapidly became essentially English, and the turn of the drifting tide took place. Concurrently with this change in the hue of South African public affairs, Mr. Cecil Rhodes and his friends turned their attention to the great Native territories lying to the north of the Cape Colony and the South African Republic. Fortu nately for the Empire, the position was swiftly realised. As if there had been some sudden and mightier revelation than before, it was seen that unless the blow was instantly struck to secure these territories for England, a few months would see them in the hands of republicans concentrated in Pretoria, to be used

INTRODUCTION.

. 11 for the purposes of Boer aggrandisement, either with or without the co-operation of some alien European power. The effort was made, but not without difficulty, for a strong and strange struggle ensued, of which the Grobler incident gave an unmistakable clue. Luckily, however, the powers that rule in Downing Street became convinced that if British supremacy in South Africa was to be conserved, a determined stand must immediately be taken. It was taken, and the slight preliminary intimation given to South Africa in general, and to the Boers in particular, by Sir Charles Warren's expedition, was logically followed up and strengthened by a declaration of British rights, under various names and dis guises, to the whole of the native territories lying to the north of the Cape Colony and the Transvaal.

As I have said, a mere lustrum has served to change the whole position in South Africa. Whereas some five or six years ago the gathering force of Repub licanism, whicli aimed at an independent United States of South Africa, was apparently on the eve of fruition, it has now become not only a vanished dream, but a political impossibility ; and in its stead we find an almost universal aspiration to prosper under the protection of the Union Jack. We find the name of England once more in au honoured ascendant everywhere, and that, excluding malcontents, Boer Republicanism is discovering that the truest and best development of Boer interests will be found in a cordial co-operation with an enlightened and non-bureaucratic British policy. To Britishers generally this is a consummation to be greatly grateful for.

As I have pointed out, two factors helped to it. One of these was the extraordinary and rapid development of the gold industry, and the other was the step taken in the north by Mr. Rhodes and his friends. To my mind the latter was the chief operating factor from a political point of view. The gold interests across the Limpopo might have been, and doubtless would have been, fostered under a Republican form of government, so that so far as these arc concerned, the transfer of dominion or political sway from Dutch Republican to British Imperial need not necessarily have followed ; but Mr. Rhodes and those associated with him, although nominally pursuing a commercial undertaking, in securing enormous rights in the native territories to the north, invariably enunciated the political gospel of British supremacy in their enterprise.

The Union Jack was run up to the masthead, the word " British " figured as the first word in their title, the b ZAMBESIA. imprimatur of the Privy Seal was placed upon their document of title, and a civilised-nineteenth-century letter of mark was issued to the Duke of Abercorn and others to carry ascendancy and Empire under the British name from the boundaries of the Cape Colony and the Transvaal to the Zambesi and beyond. Owing to the enterprise having been undertaken in this spirit, we find tbe reason for the full stop in the policy of English drift in South Africa, and for the reinstatement of British supremacy in that part of the continent. A great new English colony is being founded. Zam besia is hardly born, and already three railways are being planned to approach it from the south and east.

A land that up to ten years ago was a sealed book to all but intrepid adventurers, to half-a-dozen men of the Selous stamp, will before long feel the splitting wedge of the locomotive, and it is safe to predict that ere the century closes it will be possible to take a tripper's ticket at Messrs. Cook and Son's bureau in London which will frank you to the Victoria Falls, via the Pungwe Railway on the East Coast, and carry you along the Central South African Railway to Cape Town, thence back to England within three months. Not the least satisfactory and pleasing feature in the retrospect is that in the process of asserting this supremacy again for all time little or no violence has been done to any shade of national feeling. Despite the fact that Mr. Rhodes, the leader of the new departure, has always nailed the British colours to his mast, and has been in all things an ardent Imperialist, he has contrived to carry with him through all the phases of his colossal enterprise the stolid and invaluable support of the would-be Republican Boers and Dutch of the Cape Colony.

And this following has been secured on this very logical basis — that the policy for the strongest and best development of South Africa must necessarily be one recognising Great Britain as the dominant power there, though there must be underlying that recognition the counter-recognition and affirmation that each State in South Africa has perfect freedom to govern itself in all local matters without interference from the Crown. Freedom from foreign interference, freedom from the' muddling of Downing Street, were the aspirations which led thou sands of men in South Africa to drift into a hesitating acceptance of uncongenial Republicanism, not from any wish to sever from England, but from a mere desire of self-protection and self preservation. Granting the realisation of this longin", and the creation of this freedom, by a system whicli would not necessitate

INTRODUCTION.

. severance from England, and the rest naturally followed, and it was left to Mr. Rhodes to show as a part of his great scheme the way wheieby this freedom and retention of the English tie could be combined. In truth, it must be recalled that a certain amount of soreness has been evolved in the Transvaal. And naturally so. For the first time in the history of that country — in fact, for the first time in the history of Boerdom, tbe way to the north no longer exists. During a period of 250 years, the Dutch in South Africa have ever had the north as a direction in which to migrate should necessity demand, or choice dictate, and decade after decade through the centuries the Boers have steadily advanced from their original hamlet on the shores of the Cape peninsula till they have reached Mossamedes on the west coast, two thousand miles from their point of departure.

This, however, is now all ended. There is no further north for the Boer to carve into according to his individual licence or liking. To the north the Boer may yet go, but it must be under restrictions imposed by British civilisation and British control. England is no longer content to penetrate Africa from the south, on the back of the Boer. The conditions are reversed. This feeling of soreness, however, is passing, and its ready cure is being found in the rapid Anglicisation of the South African Republic itself. Nominally, the Transvaal is a Boer Republic, and nominally the men who at present sway its destinies are Boers, aud in some cases ultra-Boers; but practically the territory and the Government are swayed by a new set of needs, required and demanded by a great population of English-speaking people who have settled in that golden land.

Thus it is we have it that the prospect lying now before South Africa is a consolidated dominion under the British flag, and thus it is that the retrospect founded on the facts I have been summarising prompts me unhesitatingly to largely give the credit for that prospect to the enterprise whicli found its inception and cause of being in the brain of Mr. Cecil Rhodes. "One people, one destiny," was the motto under which the Australian colonies recently took their first united step towards Federation, and it will be under that motto that the future Federa tion of South Africa will be accomplished. For the moment that Federation may seem far away, but the grand consummation is all the nearer through the founding of Zambesia. Has any one any doubt as to how the nationalities will compare in the near future in South Africa '?

He is answered when I say the British now ZAMBESIA. outnumber the Boers in the Transvaal. Has he still any doubt ? I would then say to him — go to the Paddington or Waterloo Rail way Station on any Friday morning and see the crowds of well-to do emigrants shoaling to the fair land which stretches its limitless expanse underneath the Southern Cross. While the Boer remains practically stagnant, the British population of South Africa is multiplying fast, and will soon multiply faster ; and in course of time the former will merge in the latter in feeling, thought, language, and method. As I contemplate the course of current events in the great Northland of which Zambesia in its turn will but form the southern starting point in the ceaseless march of British progress through to the blue Mediterranean — I hear the tread of pioneers Of nations yet to be, The first low wash of human waves Where soon shall roll a sea.

CHAPTER I.

Ancient Africa. — Explorations to Date. — Gold the Lode-Star. — The Zimbabye Ruins in Mashonaland. — Mysterious and Massive Monuments of the Past. — How the Chartered Company's Force Re-Discovered them. — Their Hoary Secrets. — What were They and Who Built Them ? — The Latest Effort to Solve a Profound Problem. BEFORE I proceed to describe Zambesia, as it is known to-day, let us "look far back into other years" for interesting and convincing evidence that the inheritance of the British South Africa Company and the companies which have joined fortunes with it is rich " beyond the dreams ci' avarice." This I shall either compile from ancient records in my possession, or cull from my own former writings or from those of contemporary writers who have exercised the necesafrica as known at the end of the 13th century. sary diligence and discretion to select the illustrative material I seek now to lay before my readers.