n in the different States concerned.

These observations are made on the assumption that the South African
Colonies will desire to maintain their political connection with the
mother country. It is an assumption which may safely be made, for
nowhere in the British empire is the attachment to Britain more sincere.
Strong as this feeling is in Canada and in Australasia, it is assuredly
no less strong in South Africa. The English there are perhaps even more
English than are the people of those other Colonies. Those of Dutch
origin, warm as is their Africander patriotism, have never been hostile
to the British Crown. And both English and Dutch feel how essential to
them, placed as they are, is the protection of a great naval power. They
have as near neighbours in the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans two
great European powers bent on colonial expansion, and to either of whom,
even apart from colonial expansion, such a position as Simon's Bay or
Table Bay offers would be invaluable. Both the mother country,
therefore, whose naval and commercial interests require her to retain
the Cape peninsula, and her South African children, have every motive
for cleaving to one another, and, so far as our eyes can pierce the
mists of the future, no reason can be discerned why they should not
continue so to cleave. The peoples of both countries are altogether
friendly to one another. But much will depend on the knowledge, the
prudence, the patience, the quiet and unobtrusive tact, of the home
government.

While Britain continues to be a great naval power, the maintenance of
her connection with South Africa will ensure the external peace of that
country, which, fortunately for herself, lies far away in the southern
seas, with no land frontiers which she is called on to defend. She may
not grow to be herself as populous and powerful a State as will be the
Canadian or the Australian Confederations of the future, for her
climatic conditions do not promise so large an increase of the white
race; but her people may, if she can deal wisely with the problems which
the existence of the coloured population raises, become a happy and
prosperous nation. They are exempt from some of the dangers which
threaten the industrial communities of Europe and North America. The
land they dwell in is favoured by nature, and inspires a deep love in
its children. The stock they spring from is strong and sound; and they
have carried with them to their new home the b