goaded into resignation over a money matter； a few months later the sacrifice was pleted。 He was recalled with ignominy； no other word seems to meet the case。 He retired to England to die； as thought many of his friends； of a broken heart。 Thus did Britain reward her faithful servant whose greatest crime was an error of judgment； if indeed he really erred； a matter that may well be argued。 Well； he took with him the love and respect of every loyal man in South Africa； and oils are forgotten； his name will shine on serene and untarnished in the sky of history。
To return to my personal reminiscences of this great Governor。 During the year 1877； in an unguarded moment I wrote an article descriptive of my visit to Secocoeni； which was published in an English magazine。 In the course of this article I gave an accurate and lively account of the menage of an ordinary Transvaal Boer； in the course of which I was so foolish as to say that the ladies were； for the most part； plain and stout。 I do not think that I signed the paper； but from internal evidence it was traced back to me； and； needless to say； translated into Dutch by the journals of the Cape Colony。 Then a great hubbub arose； and ultimately； two years later； the matter came to the ears of Sir Bartle Frere。
He sent for me and very rightly reproached me for my indiscretion。 In defence I replied that I had written no word that was not the strict and absolute truth。
“Haggard；” he said in his suave voice； “do you not know that there are occasions on which the truth is the last thing that should be uttered？ I beg you in future to keep it to yourself。”
I bethought me of Talleyrand’s saying that language was given to us to conceal our thoughts； but did not； I think； attempt to cap the argument b