of
claims, and the ending of widespread prospecting, the influx of whites
to the camps fell off greatly. The shifting population of prospectors
dropped to the number that could find employment in the mines or in
the dependent towns. It was estimated in 1876 that the white population
of Kimberley was about eight thousand, and the native from twelve to
fifteen thousand. In Dutoitspan and Bultfontein there were perhaps six
thousand more of whites and blacks.
The
character of this population has been most absurdly decried. " The
Diamond Fields of South Africa," writes one flighty reporter, " have
been hot-beds of rowdyism. The libertines, forgers, bird-catchers, and
other outcasts of Europe have found a refuge there as in Alsatia of
old. The Houndsditch Jew and the London rough reign supreme." Thousands
of witnesses might be summoned, if necessary, to refute this nonsense.
Libertines and forgers drift elsewhere for prey than to hot, dusty
