I propose in the following remarks to note briefly the leading events, as far as they are known to us, in the history of South Africa, adding in an appendix a chronological table of dates.

This sketch can make no pretensions to throwing any new light, from original documents, on the transactions noticed. It is simply a popular summary of events without some knowledge of which no fair judgment can be formed on questions affecting South Africa.

I have deliberately called this paper notes only upon the wide subject of which it treats. It deals with some evidence; not all evidence available, yet enough, I think, to warrant some conclusions.

Progressive change and growth of opinions, or decay of opinions and their modification, are more powerful factors in bringing about political and social changes than wars or acts of government, but receive less attention than is their due from the difficulty of tracing them clearly.

William Pitt the younger became prime minister in December 1783, just at the moment when a satisfactory peace had concluded a long and disastrous war. The struggle with the American colonies had left England without allies in Europe. The cause of the revolted patriots had been supported first by France, then by Spain, and lastly by Holland, while the armed neutrality of 1780, originated by Russia perhaps at the instigation of Frederick the Great, had been joined by most of the European powers. This was a direct defiance of the naval supremacy of England, made at a time when the strength of the country was scarcely sufficient to support its claims. When peace was concluded England swept the field of Europe to find an ally.