IV PREFACE. 



• 



a connected and detailed account of the regions he vis- 

 ited. Moreover, from the Author having remained two 

 years longer in Africa than Mr. Galton, he has not only 

 been enabled to ascertain the truth respecting much 

 that at first appeared obscure and doubtful, but has had 

 many opportunities of enlarging the stock of informa- 

 tion acquired by himself and friend when together. 

 Besides, they were often separated for long periods, 

 during which many incidents and adventures occurred 

 to the Author that are scarcely alluded to in " Tropical 

 South Africa." And, lastly, the impressions received 

 by different individuals, even under similar circum- 

 :3tances, are generally found to vary greatly, which, in 

 itself, would be a sufficient reason for the course the 

 Author has decided on pursuing. 



As will be seen, the present writer has not only de- 

 scribed the general appearance of the regions he visited, 

 but has given the best information he was able to col- 

 lect of the geological features of the country, and of its 

 probable mineral wealth ; and, slight though it may be, 

 he had the gratification of finding that the hints he 

 threw out at the Cape Und elsewhere were acted upon, 

 that mining companies were formed, and that mining- 

 operations are now carried on to some extent in regions 

 lieretofore considered as utterly worthless. 



The Author has also spoken at some length of the 

 religion, and manners, and customs of such of the na- 

 tive tribes (previously all but unknown to Europeans) 

 visited by him during his several journeys. He also 

 noted many of their superstitions, for too much atten- 

 tion, as has been truly observed, can not be paid to the 

 mythological traditions of savages. Considerable dis- 



