52 



showing their contempt of law, when they can do it with 

 impunity. 



" Under such circumstances, it appears to me that the 

 scheme of instructing the Hottentots is radically wrong, 

 unless it be accompanied with such an arrangement as shall 

 place them permanently beyond the power of their masters. 

 Situated as they are at present, its only effect will be to add 

 to the other bad passions, of which they have been so long 

 the victims, that of envy at their superior attainments. An 

 instructed and intelligent race of people, serving another 

 race which is neither intelligent nor instructed, would be a 

 monster in human society, of which there is no example on 

 record. To instruct the menial, without first instructing the 

 master, can serve no useful purpose. If this devoted race is 

 to experience any alleviation of its misery during the future 

 part of its progress to extinction, it must be effected by in- 

 fusing the principles of humanity into the bosoms of those 

 who hold its destiny in their hands. 



" It is nonsense to dissemble. We may safely prognosticate 

 the speedy annihilation of the Hottentot race, by the natural 

 progress of society, and the rapid increase of a population, with 

 which it can neither mix nor amalgamate. Who is there, 

 indeed, that cannot discern from afar the fate of America 

 impending over the whole of this continent? When the 

 energy, the industry, and the genius of Europe are pitted 

 against the ignorance, the indolence, and the apathy of 

 Africa, the final issue, though it may be distant, cannot be 

 doubtful : and if such a revolution could be effected in the 

 progress of time, and without those wars and convulsions that 

 usually attend the collision of nations, is it not — ' a consum- 

 mation devoutly to be wished ? ' 



" We left Bavians Kloof at four o'clock next morning, 

 and retraced our way to De Tait's, where, having rested till 

 one o'clock, we mounted again, and proceeded to join our 

 party at the Branaa Valley, where we arrived in the evening, 

 after a ride of fifty-one miles. This valley, or rather plain, 

 is a tract of marshy ground, three miles in extent, overgrown 

 with reeds, rushes, and other aquatic plants, and harbouring 



