Origin and History of the Bushmen. 123 



yet, nevertheless, such is the satisfaction of all with their 

 present circumstances, in relation to such points, that they 

 cannot be persuaded that it is better to be governed and pro- 

 tected by acknowledged and constituted regulations, than be 

 subject to the varying whims of every mind. 



The Hottentot Bushman presents most of the physical 

 characters of the race as exemplified in other situations, and 

 the mixed description, according to circumstances, exhibits 

 more or less of the appearances of the Negro or Caffer. In 

 size and strength, the former is at the very least equal to the 

 Hottentot elsewhere, and is certainly not, as has been generally 

 affirmed, of inferior stature to the members of the savage tribes 

 by whom he is partially surrounded. All have an expression 

 of acuteness and energy beyond that of their coloured neigh- 

 bours, and a gait and activity peculiarly striking. Their 

 eyes bespeak a habit of watchfulness and scrutiny particularly 

 characteristic, and their demeanour indicates a constant habit 

 of apprehension and fear. They appear to survey every 

 stranger as if an actual enemy, and only waiting a favourable 

 opportunity to injure them; and they do not, until after very 

 considerable intercourse, appear easy in such company. 

 This evidently arises from a consciousness of their offences, 

 and a conviction that their habits and general conduct towards 

 all other nations or tribes are of such a character as warrant 

 anything but the kindness or friendship of strangers. On 

 several occasions I endeavoured to convince them that the 

 Cape Government and the fanners were, in spite of all the 

 depredations and murders they had committed on the colo- 

 nists, yet inclined to deal liberally with them ; but in none of 

 these attempts did I perceive the slightest disposition to give 

 a credence to these assurances, but a distinct persuasion that 

 such was not the case, or rather, could not be so, considering 

 their own aggressions ; and therefore must be only a pretence 

 employed with a view to deceive them. The dictates of their 

 own hearts, perhaps, never lead them to forgive an injury, so 

 Unit it is only a conviction or belief of inability that induces 

 them occasionally to forego a punishment ; and as they are 

 in the habit of feeling and acting in relation to others, they 

 naturally fancy others must be in regard to them. Hence 

 arises the necessity of being acquainted with the characters 

 and views of ^savages, in order to be able to judge how far 

 principles fitted for the management of nations stored with 

 botli civil and moral knowledge are suitable for such as are, 

 in a great measure, strangers to either; and, consequently, 

 without the very means necessary to enable them to compre- 

 hend the more abstruse and complicated rules and regulations 



R 2 calcu- 



