Observations on the Origin and History of the Bushmen. 



were boasted of by themselves and lauded by their compa- 

 nions*. The passion of anger has amazing influence over 

 them, and numerous are the cases in which lives are destroyed 

 while under its ascendancy. Such constant and unlimited 

 submission to momentary feelings, disposes them to act almost 

 constantly upon the impulse first received, and deprives them 

 of the benefit of that consideration and reflection requisite to 

 discover consequences beyond their immediate effects. Such 

 total want of thought induces them to act with the greatest 

 indiscretion, and tutors their minds for only the concerns of 

 the moment: hence the idea of futurity seldom gives them 

 uneasiness; and the prospects of tomorrow, or a time to corn e, 

 are to them no subjects of importance. If they can only enjoy 

 the passing hour, that is all they look for, and in doing that, 

 they are often so much wrapt up in indifference to everything 

 else, that they not unfrequently neglect the precautions which 

 in their situations are necessary for their existence and pre- 

 servation, which decided indiscretion necessarily renders them 

 subject to much uncertainty in regard to the means of sub- 

 sistence; and while it paves the way to abundance at one time, 

 equally ensures want and scarcity at another. 



In mixed society, the Bushmen are less talkative and fro- 

 licksome than other Hottentots, which appears to arise from 

 their want of confidence in persons of any community, save 

 of their own. Unlike others of their race, who unheedingly 

 enjoy themselves in all societies, and in every situation, they 

 exhibit signs of constant uneasiness and watchfulness; and 

 instead of receiving with pleasure and cordiality the jokes of 

 their associates, they seem to experience annoyance therefrom, 

 and almost an inclination to acts of resentment, They are 

 capricious in the extreme, and uncertain in every situation, 

 and it is not without explanation that many of their proceed- 

 ings can appear accountable to strangers. 



They are notoriously patient of toil, and vigorous in a very 



* They take no great care of their children, and never correct them 

 except in a fit of rage, when they almost kill them with severe usage. In 

 a quarrel between father and mother, or the several wives of a husband, 

 the defeated party wreaks his or her revenge on the child of the conqueror, 

 which in general loses its life. Tame Hottentots seldom destroy their off- 

 spring, except in a fit of passion; but the Boschemen will kill their children 

 without remorse on various occasions ; as when they are ill-shaped ; when 

 they are in want of food; when the father of a child has forsaken its mother ; 

 or when obliged to flee from the farmers or others, in which case they will 

 strangle them, smother them, cast them away in the desert, or bury them 

 alive. There are instances of parents throwing their tender offspring to the 

 hungry lion, who stands roaring before their cavern, refusing to depart till 

 some peace-offering be made to him. Kicherer in Transactions of the 

 Missionary Society, vol. ii. p. 8. 



high 



