The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-23
THE DIAMOND FIELDS OF SOUTH AFRICA.

To THE EDITOR OF TIE HERALD
Almost every person goes to the fields with the
idea OF returning with fortune, but some too san
guine minds even entertain the most preposterous
ideas OF finding fortunes Immediately on arrival, as
II diamonds are to be obtained without trouble and
without hard and continuous labor. 1t requires no
amount or intellect, but any amount Of muscle. We
cannot all expect to be successful In undertak
ings, nor can all expect to be successful diamond
diggers; but tni, is no reason why men should not
try. Those who have very little or no means are
best at home; those who have permanent appoint
ments should not go. and only those VINO have
ST. 500 to ST. 900 to spare may think Of taking the
journey. The success which will attend the labors
OF the digger will greatly depend upon the cnarac
of the person by whom the search Is undertaken.
Some unquestionably Will he more fortunate than
others, but perseverance, Is the most necessary
quality IN diamond seeking, ana Is also to con-
siderable extent wanting In many OF the parties
Fortunes are not so easily found as many imagine.
As general rule 1t takes not only money but time
to ind them. True, some lew nave found fortunes
without much time and labor but they are the
lucky and favored few, and they are few, indeed.
when compared with the many seeking their for
tunes, and there are ut present 30 900 dggers III the
fields Let no man go to the fields unless ne has the
determination to work aud TO do his best Let MIN
give the fields heightened trial. and DOUBT not
but that he will receive some remuneration for MS
1t IL not necessary for to say anything OF the
passage by steamer, via Queenstown and Liver
mentioned that line OF stages to the fields Will
soon be running on this route. AS these coaches
Will be drawn by horses, 1t Is estimated they Will
run the entire 430 miles days ut the most
| but TOR those who cannot spare the necessary q
| more economical way is by mule wagon, or still
all Is said In It's favor, Is monOtonous,
whether 1t be through an unnterestlng country, or.
stu, more so, when IL is over a nat sandy plaln--a
scOrching sun ABOVE, heated sand below, without q
| tree or even single boulder to vary the scene
| then Il becomes in,oerabIe AS there IL more tnan
| one route from Port Elizabeth, would propose
that direction, VIA Cradock and ColesDerg 400 miles,
| 10 the ielns: and In returning, via Fauresmith,
Burenersdorp, Queenstown and Grahamstown. 4so
with variety OF scenery and refined Qualifications,
| inspiring secret delight and kindng disinte.
| rested good will Immigrants arriving nom abroad
| Will meet with every assistance from the American
merchants at Port Elizabeth. IL Is only necessary
| to take tent from here or England-as they are
cheaper better made and better quality OF canvas
4 and small outfit OF woOllen articles. All nipple.
ohents and Tools can be obtained at the diggings.
10 may not be out OF place TO mention mere my
acquaintance with an African traveller an Old colo
| INST, who mad peea lar INTO the Interior ana made
extensive explorations, ana VINO had seen and
| travelled with Or. Livingstone, and also believes
| him TO be q Livingstone still.
| Tne climate Is not very much warmer at the fields
than az Port Elizabeth, but persons working in
quarries thirty feet deepin search OF diamonds and
| living under canvas naturally feel IL more. The
| Thermometer in the summer indicates eighty -four
| degrees IN the shade and lis degrees In the sun;
! generally In the wlnter II averages about eighty
degrees In day time. aud at night having hall an
evenings are delightfully."- cool, and the dlggers
at every camp are enjoying excellent nealtn.
Tne pressure exercised by the diamond fields In
creases IN intensity. Goods, cola and popula0n all
| tend towards the banks OF the Vaal River, IN the
Degnborhood OF which large towns are rapidly
| rising. There Is no doubt but that the diamond
| fields will be the making OF the colony. inasmuch
as 1t Will create further interest all over the
| world prospecting Will be carried on to a greater
| minerals are known TO exist but requiring the
| capital only 10 work for them, X W. NJ.