GRAHAMSTOWN, a town in South Africa, 33° 19' S., 26° 31' E. ; alt. 1,769. White pop. (1926), 7,648; coloured, 7,86o. It is 1 o6 m. from Port Elizabeth and is reached by a branch line from Alice Dale, on the main Port Elizabeth-Pretoria line. The first settlement, established here in 1812, near the headwater of the Kowie river, and on the slopes of the Zuurberg, was a military post, founded by Col. John Graham, to hold in check the Kafir tribes, who were pushing south-westward. The town is named after its founder. After the arrival of the 182o settlers, the site was chosen as a central rallying-point in case of need. Since that time, in spite of its present somewhat isolated position, Grahams town has retained its importance. It is the capital of the Eastern Province of Cape Colony, and here the Eastern Province law courts are placed. It is also the seat of Anglican and Roman Catholic bishops. The town is pleasantly laid out with broad, straight streets, often lined with trees. It is often regarded as the most English town in Cape Colony. The slopes of the neigh bouring ridge are planted with trees, and from the top a magnifi cent view of the surrounding country can be obtained , a view of much geological interest. The town is also an important edu cational centre. It has several good schools, and a training college. The Rhodes university college, a constituent college of the Uni versity of South Africa, stands in its own grounds, and is equipped with fine hostels, college buildings and playing fields. Among the public buildings mention may be made of St. George's cathedral (Anglican), built from designs by Sir Gilbert Scott, St. Patrick's athedral (R.C.), and the commemoration chapel (Wesleyan), erected in 1845 by the British 182o settlers. The Albany museum ranks high in South Africa for its examples of South African fauna and its collection representing early African cultures.
(R. U. S.)