Interior Parts of Africa. 245 



itrdf into two arms, one of which flows between the moun- 

 tains and the Dutch colonies, and the other into the Silver 

 River already mentioned. 



The author in fpeaking of the Hottentots ftys, " Mr. 

 Vaillant has given a very ample description of the manners 

 and cuftoms of thefe people, but he is not always correct. 



<c The chief of a horde bears the title of Mo?itur. This 

 office however is not hereditary, and the perfons chofen to 

 fill it are thofe who have diftinguiftied themfdves by fome 

 heroic action, fuch as killing fome favage animal, or obtain- 

 ing a victory over the enemy. The chief of each kraal, 

 whether it lies within the jurifdi&ion of the Dutch or not, 

 receives from the Company a large cane, having at the top 

 a filver knob, inferibed with the Company's arms, and 

 which is borne by the chief on folemn occafions. Each 

 Hottentot alfo receives annually two pounds of tobacco and 

 two bottles of brandy ; but, in return, muft endeavour to 

 learn in fome meafure to underftand the Dutch language. 

 Thofe who refide among the planters learn it with great eafe ; 

 but thofe who live at a diftance muft embrace fome other 

 opportunity of learning it : and when the Monturs go to the 

 Cape Town, they muft always carry with them fome men 

 belonging to their horde, to whom various occupations, fuch 

 as cutting wood, &c. are affigned in the caftle, that they may 

 become familiar with the language by frequenting the com- 

 pany of the foldiers, and the inhabitants. When the Mon- 

 lur goes to the Cape the next year, he carries with him fome 

 more of his countrymen, and thofe who came the preceding 

 year return. Thefe Hottentots are perhaps the lazieft people 

 in the world ; but in many parts of their country they are 

 defutute of water. They leave the moll fertile fields unculti- 

 vated, and only plant here and there a little Turkifh corn. 

 Their chief occupations are the rearing of cattle and hunting, 

 but they purfue the latter only when compelled by neceflity 

 and the want of food. They pay little attention to fifhing, 

 though they have very good opportunities, efpecially in win- 

 ter, of catching fifh without great exertion. There have been 

 inftances of their enduring hunger for feveral days rather than 



give 



