The first South African diamond was found in March, 1867, and on examining its physical characters, it was pronounced by Dr. Atherstone to be genuine. When this stone was received in London, it created considerable interest, and also some degree of suspicion, some persons having asserted that it was brought forward for mercenary purposes; letters even appeared in the public papers implying that it was impossible it could have been found near Hope Town. As Dr. W. G. Atherstone, F.G.S., of Graham's Town (who in March, 1867, examined and pronounced the stone to be a diamond), is now in Bristol, I beg to offer a few general remarks on the Cape diamonds, and also to express in public my thanks to him.