at I have never had half-an-hour's conversation
with your Excellency without feeling a better, and, I believe, a wiser
man."

Madame Koopmans de Wet, a lady of an old family, Dutch of the Dutch,
wrote to him, Nov. 16th, 1880:--

"It is with feelings of the deepest sorrow that I take the liberty of
addressing these lines to you.... What is to be the end of all this now?
for now, particularly, do the Cape people miss _their_ Governor, for now
superior qualities in everything are wanted. Dear Sir Bartle, you know
the material we have; it is good, but who is to guide? It is plain to
every thinking mind that our position is becoming more critical every
day....

"But with deep sorrow let me say, England's, or rather Downing Street's
treatment, has not tightened the bonds between the mother country and
us. You know we have a large circle of acquaintances, and I cannot say
how taken aback I sometimes am to hear their words. See, in all former
wars there was a moral support in the thought that England, our England,
was watching over us. Now there is but one cry, 'We shall have no
Imperial help.' Why is this? We have lost confidence in a Government who
could play with our welfare; and among the many injuries done us, the
greatest was to remove from among us a ruler such as your Excellency
was."

"As the day drew near, the Cape Town people were perplexed how to
express adequately their feelings on the occasion. It was suggested that
on the day he was to embark, the whole city should mourn with shops
closed, flags half-mast high, and in profound silence. But more cheerful
counsels prevailed.

"He was to leave by the _Pretoria_ on the afternoon of Sept. 15th.
Special trains had brought in contingents from the country. The open
space in front of Government House, Plein Street, Church Square,
Adderley Street, the Dock Road, the front of the railway station, the
wharves, the housetops, and every available place, whence a view of the
procession could be procured, was closely packed. The Governor's
carriage left Government House at half-past four,--Volunteer Cavalry
furnishing the escort, and Volunteer Rifles, Engineers, and Cadets
falling in behind,--and amid farewell words and ringing cheers, moved
slowly along the streets gay with flags and decorations. At the dock
gates the horses were taken out and men drew the carriage to the quay,
where the _Pretoria_ lay alongside. Here the General, the Ministers, and
other leading people,