public who hurried to expose my ignorance。 In a subsequent edition I rectified the mistake； but that produced more trouble； since students of the work had violent arguments between themselves； each quoting the versions that they had read； and wrote to me to settle their disputes。 I have always found the movements of the heavenly bodies very ticklish things to touch。 Whatever one says about the moon； for instance； is pretty sure to be wrong。
I may say this further； that no book that I have written seems to have conveyed a greater idea of reality。 At this moment I hold in my hand at least a dozen letters sorted from what I call “Unknown Correspondents；” by which I mean munications received from individuals with whom I have no personal acquaintance。 Every one of the writers of these epistles is anxious to know whether or not the work is a record of fact。 Even the great dealer in precious stones； Mr。 Streeter — I fear I must say the late Mr。 Streeter — approached me on the subject。 I believe he actually sent an expedition to look for King Solomon’s Mines； or at any rate talked of doing so。 Nor was he so far out in his reckoning； for since that day they have been discovered — more or less。 At any rate Rhodesia has been discovered； which is a land full of gems and gold； the same land； I believe； as that whence King Solomon did actually draw his wealth。 Also Queen Sheba’s Breasts have been found； or something very like to them； and traces of the great road that I describe。 Doubtless I heard faint rumours of these things during my sojourn in Africa； having made it my habit through life to keep my ears open； but at the best they were very faint。 The remainder I imagined； and imagination has often proved to be the precursor of the truth。 The mines of Kukuana land； alias Rh