Hhiory of the Moravian Mission. iJ5 



This settlement, situated at the entrance of a mountain 

 defile, at the foot of an immense sandstone range, of from 3000 

 to 4000 feet high, was founded in the year 1787, by a brother 

 of the persuasion, named George Schmidt, from Moravia, who 

 settled fifty-five miles east of Cape Town, near Sargent's River, 

 with a number of Hottentots, whom he began to convert to 

 Christianity, and called the station " Bavian's Kloef." From 

 the year 180(1, the settlement assumed the beautiful name of 

 "Genaaden Dal" (Vale of Benevolence), so exquisitely corres- 

 pondent with the benevolent exertions of the brotherhood. It 

 at present numbers 3100 souls, mostly a race crossed between 

 Hottentots and Mozambique negroes, of the latter of whom a 

 considerable number have settled here since the Slave Emanci- 

 pation Act of 1826. The settlers are partly proprietors of the 

 land, partly artisans, cutlers, waggon-makers, tanners, car- 

 penters, millers, &c. In the workshops the most exemplary 

 cleanliness and neatness are imperatively insisted on. At the 

 Great Exhibition, held in London in 1851, the wood-work of the 

 Hottentot carpenters of Genaaden Dal received *' Honourable 

 Mention," and this elegant testimonial in recognition of their 

 efforts now hangs, framed and glazed, in the library hall of the 

 community. It somewhat surprised us that the cutlers did not 

 receive, in their section, a similar distinction, since, in that 

 department of industry, the Hottentots produce articles, which, 

 so far as concerns quality and cheapness, are really astounding. 

 The workpeople receive a fixed weekly payment, which they may 

 expend as they please. The net proceeds, however, of the 



