To the many South Africans with whose hospitable treatment I was favoured I am deeply and sincerely grateful. Englishmen, Afrikanders, Dutchmen, Boers, and Uitlanders were exceptionally gracious in many ways, and, however they may have differed on local topics, were unanimously courteous in their entertainment of a citizen of the country for which they frequently expressed such great admiration. I am especially indebted to Sir Alfred Milner, the Queen’s High Commissioner to South Africa and Governor of Cape Colony, and Sir James Sivewright, the Acting Premier of Cape Colony, for many courtesies and much information; to President S. J. P. Kruger for many kindnesses and a greatly treasured Transvaal flag; to Postmaster-General Van Alphen, Mr. Peter Dillingham, Commissioner of War Smidt, and many other Government officials, for valuable assistance given to me in Pretoria. To those stanch Americans, Mr. Gardner F. Williams, of Kimberley, and Dr. J. Perrott Prince, of Durban, I am indebted for many pleasant excursions and experiences, and finally to my friend Mr. W. M. B. Tuttle, of New York city, for valuable assistance in this work. HOWARD C. HILLEGAS. NEW YORK CITY, _September 4, 1899_. CONTENTS CHAPTER I.--SOUTH AFRICA OF THE PRESENT TIME Its physical and political divisions--Relations of the races--Progress of the natives--Transvaal’s relative position. II.--THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE BOER RACE Early settlement of the Cape--Troubles of the immigrants with the East India Company and the English--The Great Trek--Battles with the natives and the English--Founding of the republic. III.--THE JOHANNESBURG GOLD FIELDS Discovery of gold--Early days of the field and the influx of foreigners--The origin of the enmity between the Boers and the newcomers--The Jameson raid and its results. IV.--THE BOER OF TO-DAY His habits and modes of living--His love of family--His religion and patriotism. V.--PRESIDENT KRUGER Personal description--His long and active career--His public services--Anecdotes of his life--His home life. VI.--INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT KRUGER His democracy--Hatred of Mr. Rhodes--Discussion of the Transvaal’s position--His opinion of Americans--Why he hates the English--A message to America. VII.--CECIL JOHN RHODES The ambition of the man--Story of his youth--His many enterprises--Political career--Personality--Anecdotes and incidents of his life--Groote Schuur--His home. VIII.--THE BOER GOVERNMENT--CIVIL AND MILITARY The executive and legislative branches of the Government--The Raads in session--The state military organization--Mobilizing the army--Commandant-General P. J. Joubert--His services to the republic. IX.--CAUSES OF PRESENT DISSENSIONS British contempt of the Boers--The suzerainty dispute--The question of the franchise--Campaign of slander. X.--PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENCE