ut degrees in literature, science and
music and (in 1908) in divinity were added. The number of students who
matriculated rose from 34 in 1875 to 118 in 1885, 242 in 1895 and 539 in
1905. The examinations are open to candidates irrespective of where they
have studied, but under the Higher Education Act grants are paid to
seven colleges that specially devote themselves to preparing students
for the graduation courses. These are the South African College at Cape
Town (founded in 1829), the Victoria College at Stellenbosch, the
Diocesan College at Rondebosch, Rhodes University College, Graham's
Town, Gill College at Somerset East, the School of Mines at Kimberley
and the Huguenot Ladies' College at Wellington. Several denominational
colleges, receiving no government aid, do the same work in a greater or
less degree, the best known being St Aidan's (Roman Catholic) College
and Kingswood (Wesleyan) College, both at Graham's Town. Graaff Reinet
College, Dale College, King William's Town, and the Grey Institute, Port
Elizabeth, occupy the place of high schools under the education
department. The Theological Seminary at Stellenbosch prepares
theological students for the ministry of the Dutch Church. At Cape Town
is a Royal Observatory, founded in 1829, one of the most important
institutions of its kind in the world. It is under the control of a
royal astronomer and its expenses are defrayed by the British admiralty.

_Defence_.--The Cape peninsula is fortified with a view to repelling
attacks from the sea. Simon's Town, which is on the east side of the
peninsula, is the headquarters of the Cape and West Coast naval
squadron. It is strongly fortified, as is also Table Bay. Port Elizabeth
is likewise fortified against naval attack. A strong garrison of the
British army is stationed in the colony, with headquarters at Cape Town.
The cost of this garrison is borne by the imperial government. For
purposes of local defence a force named the Frontier Armed and Mounted
Police was organized in 1853, and a permanent colonial force has been
maintained since that date. It is now known as the Cape Mounted Riflemen
and is about 700 strong. Its ordinary duty is to preserve order in the
Transkeian territories. The Cape Mounted Police, over 1600 strong, are
also available for the defence of the colony and are fully armed. There
are numerous volunteer corps, which receive a capitation grant from the
government. By a law passed in 1878 every able-