sewhere, and since the dawn of civilisation, Intellect has always
become Master, Captain and King over Ignorance, but at Johannesburg it
is Asinine Ignorance which rules Intellect. Another reversal of human
custom is seen in the submissiveness of Intellect to Ignorance, and
though, being naturally sensitive under the whip and restless under the
goad, it remonstrates sometimes, its remonstrance is in such a sweet
mild way that the spectator can only smile and wonder.

"OVERMASTERING SURPRISE" AT THE STATE OF THINGS ON THE RAND.

Fitting words are wanting to describe my overmastering surprise at the
state of things in the Transvaal; I am limited by space and time, so
that I must let my pen race over three pages and trust largely to the
intelligence of those who read the lines. I have a printed cutting
before me of a discussion in the First Raad of the Boer Republic, during
which the President, in the support of his views, stands up and says
that Isaiah had been told by the Lord that Israel had been punished
because the rulers of that people had not hearkened unto the voice of
the poor. Another speaker of similar intelligence rose up to contend
that the Lord had enjoined that the rich, not the rulers, should help
the poor, and Isaiah had not been told that the poor were to be helped
with other people's money. This construction of Scripture raised the
President of the State to his feet again, and he reiterated the fact
that the Lord had meant the rulers, whereupon another Senator
interpolated the remark that some people were in the habit of shielding
themselves behind the Bible with a view to saving their own pockets.

NAILING IT WITH SCRIPTURE.

Fancy a discussion of that kind taking place in the Legislative of a
British Colony! What vexation and shame we should feel that a Colonial
Government should be based on what Isaiah had conceived had been told to
him respecting Jewish elders and rulers! We should undoubtedly feel
that such a discussion was an outrage on common sense and good taste,
and that the Colony had mistaken a parliamentary hall for a synagogue.
But at Pretoria such discussions appear to be everyday incidents--the
most commonplace arguments are supported by quotations from Isaiah or
some other prophet.

KRUGER'S CANT.

At Standerton, the other day, the President was questioned as to the
prospects of assistance being given to poor burghers. His entire reply
is worth quoting, but I have only room f