279 
necessary to retire. He then resumed his original profession, 
went to Edinburgh, studied there for some years, took out 
his degree, and, on his return home, commenced practice as 
a physician, in which capacity he had the charge of a large 
military hospital during the campaigns of 1793-4. On the 
termination of the war, he retired from employment, and 
lived on his private fortune. 
* In the earlier part of his career, the Dr. is said to have 
been rather heterodox in his religious opinions, openly pro- 
fessing himself a deist. But the loss of his wife and child, 
by a disastrous accident, gave a new turn to his ideas; and 
he suddenly became devoted to the doctrines of the Christian 
religion. In this frame of mind, having accidentally got 
sight of the scheme circulated by the Missionary Society 
for propagating the Gospel among the Heathen; his ima- 
gination caught a spark of the sacred flame, and he offered 
to undertake a mission among the savage tribes of Africa. 
“ The acquisition of such a man as Vanderkemp, high in 
Yank, in fortune, in learning, and in reputation, was of the 
utmost importance to the objects of the society. No time 
Was therefore lost in forwarding him to the field of his 
missionary labours. In the beginning of the year 1799, he 
arrived at the Cape, and after a short stay in the capital, 
Proceeded to Caffreland. This was an undertaking of 
extreme hazard, on account of the war carried on at that 
time against the British Government by the boors of the 
frontier, and against both by the Caffres. After a good. 
deal of trouble, however, he made his way to King eaei 
court, where he remained for sixteen months, environed, 
according to his own account, by all sorts of danger oe 
temptation, bodily as well as spiritual. : But finding pum 
zeal among these savages was likely to be its own reward, 
returned to the Colony. 
. * Meeting with. Gaia Dundas on his return, the xcu 
recommended to his notice the Hottentots dispersed — T 
istrict of Graaf Reynett, and promised to facilitate sd 
Plan he might form to collect them into one society. fn 
this undertaking the Dr. was more successful than in his 
