Page:The Past, Present and Future Trade of the Cape Colonies with Central Africa.pdf/25

very difficult to make any brief observations calculated to cover the ground which he has traversed. But I have been struck by two or three points on which he has dwelt more especially. And, first, in reference to the geographical and physical features of the territory in South Africa. I have been more accustomed to consider these in their bearing on exploration and its difficulties. But Dr. Holub has taken for his guide the description of the country traversed as suggested by the occupation of different tribes and the products they could supply for commerce as cultivators of the soil, which is a useful and novel mode of regarding the country between our Colonies and the Waal and the Zambesi. He has drawn our attention to this chiefly this evening. He has not dwelt upon the great desert which borders on the western side, but has opened to us an entirely new view as to the facilities for exploration in these regions, and as to the best means of penetrating into Central Africa from the south. When Stanley was in this country I had some opportunity of discussing with him the best mode of opening Central Africa, and he was strong in the opinion that the best mode of penetrating the great continent was from the West coast. On the other hand, the tendency of the Geographical Society and many interested in the question has been to believe that the East coast supplies the best starting-point, although there is certainly a coast district, some 150 miles in width, which is beset with fevers and many other difficulties to be overcome. The best road towards the great central lakes, and that which gives us the best hope of ultimate success in gaining access to the land and the people, for the purposes of commerce and civilisation together throughout the whole of Central Africa, is a problem of great interest and importance. I think in reference to this and other subjects Dr. Holub has this evening brought before us many observations which must impress us with their importance. And as to the facility with which, through these agricultural races and the chiefs of the Basuto tribes, we may penetrate more readily into Central Africa from the Zambesi than we can from the East or West coast, his views deserve careful consideration. (Hear, hear.) At all events, it is an important view which he has laid before us—and with a great deal of personal experience—and I am sure it will meet with due attention from those interested in the progress of civilisation in Central Africa. (Hear, hear.) I have no pretension to take up the time of this Society by any lengthened observations on the subject. Dr. Holub has himself entered fully into the grounds for his suggestions that endeavours should be made to advance through the districts and regions occupied by agricultural