“ALL things must come to an end some time,” said the man in the street hopefully; “- except the War,” added the cynical. But this, in truth, is the case with most wars. No man could at any time write with certainty, “The Boer War is ended,” for the end of war is peace, security, and prosperity. No war is at an end, strictly speaking, until the sword is turned into a ploughshare, till private property is secure, till the land may be cultivated in safety. And in 1901 South Africa was a desert.

When Cronje and his four thousand surrendered, there were those who cried that the end was at hand. When Pretoria was entered, many sighed with relief and said, “Assuredly now is the end.” Yet the year passed, a new century began, and still came the casualty lists.

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