may result in some good to the cause, which we have at heart.

"You are doubtless acquainted well enough with the principal events
of great national moment of recent years in South Africa. From
whatever point of view politicians may like to regard the end of
the Transvaal war, any resident in this country can be only too
well aware of the fact that one result of that terrible experience
has been, a material weakening of respect for English people, and
for the rights of the Crown throughout the Cape Colony.

"Since the period referred to, a very powerful Dutch-Africander
combination has come into existence, and there can be no doubt but
that one object of such a body, is the severance of all but nominal
ties between the Cape, and Great Britain.

"However visionary such hopes as these must for a long series of
years remain, the fact of their existence, and of their being in a
variety of ways advanced from time to time, has a very marked
influence upon all classes of people in this country.

"For instance, the youth of the country are influenced to hope for
a time, when they shall be members of an independent State; and
while on the one hand they may not see any immediate prospect of a
change in such a direction being effected, nevertheless they lessen
their interest in, and their respect for, the Crown of England and
its attributes, and thus grow up comparatively devoid of any sound
patriotism, even to their native country; and, above all, without
any touch of that enthusiasm, which is ever engendered by high
national traditions.