34 BOTANICAL EXCURSIONS 
There was at this time a kraal of Fingoes near the port, 
and we were told that the inhabitants found them very useful 
as servants and labourers. 
April 10.—From this place, turning from the N.W., we pro- 
ceeded over dreary plains to Uitenhage, only nineteen miles dis- 
tant. The little village of Bethelsdorp, where we stopped for 
a while on our way, is one of the oldest missionary esta- 
blishments in the colony, (except those of the Moravians,) 
and the first that I had seen. It appeared to be thriving and 
in good order, and made an agreeable impression on me, 
though the situation is unfortunate, the soil being so barren 
that no gardens can be cultivated. There were at this time 
nearly twelve hundred coloured people, (Hottentots, Bas- 
taards, and others,) on the books of the institution, but 
scarcely half the number are resident. They are all taught some 
trade or useful employment, and go into the service either of 
the farmers, or of tradesmen at Port Elizabeth and Uiten- 
bage. Those who remain at Bethelsdorp live in decent E. 
cottages of their own building. We saw the Infant School, 
which, as far as could be judged by a single visit, seemed 
a well-managed and useful institution: the children were 
very perfect in their lessons, looked clean and cheerful, 
and appeared to be as well taught as any poor children of 
their ages in England. 
The town, or rather village, of Uitenhage, had a very 
pleasing appearance when we first caught sight of its bright - 
white houses spread over a fertile valley, surrounded by 
wooded hills of various elevations; nor was this agreeable 
_ impression dissipated when we entered it. A large party of 
| the inhabitants, with the Civil Commission 
functionaries at their head, came out on horseback to meet 
the Governor, and saluted him, after the colonial fashion, 
with repeated discharges of their muskets. 
April 11.—We spent the next day (an exceedingly hot one;) 
at Uitenhage, which is one of the most agrecable places in .— 
the colony. Though called a town, it has the appearance of — 
a large rural village; its houses, which are (almost without = 
er and other publie — 
