Observations on the Origin of the Bushmen. 17Ji 



more or less of the appearances of the Negro or Caffer. In 

 size and strength, the former is at the very least equal to the 

 Hottentot elsewhere, and is certainly not, as. has been generally 

 affirmed, of inferior stature to the members of the savage tribes 

 by whom he is partially surrounded. All have an expression of 

 acuteness and energy beyond that of their coloured neigh- 

 bours, and a gait and activity peculiarly striking, Their 

 eyes bespeak a habit of watchfulness and scrutiny particularly 

 characteristic, and their demeanour indicates a constant habit 

 of apprehension and fear. They appear to survey every 

 stranger as if an actual enemy, and only waiting a favoura- 

 ble opportunity to injure them; and they do not, until after 

 very considerable intercourse, appear easy in such company. 

 This evidently arises from a consciousness of their offences, 

 and a conviction that their habits and general conduct towards 

 all other nations or tribes are of such a character as warrant 

 any thing but the kindness or friendship of strangers. On 

 several occasions I endeavoured to convince them, that the 

 Cape government and the farmers were, in spite of all the 

 depredations and murders they had committed on the colo- 

 nists, yet inclined to deal liberally with them, but in none of 

 these attempts did I perceive the slightest disposition to give 

 a credence to these assurances, but a distinct persuasion that 

 such was not the case, or rather, could not be so, considering 

 their own aggressions ; and, therefore, must be only a pretence 

 employed with a view to deceive them. The dictates of their 

 own hearts, perhaps, never lead them to forgive an injury, so 

 that it is only a conviction or belief of inability that induces 

 them occasionally to forego a punishment ; and, as they are 

 in the habit of feeling and acting in relation to others, they 

 naturally fancy others must be in regard to them. Hence 

 arises the necessity of being acquainted with the characters 

 and views of savages, in order to be able to judge how far 

 principles fitted for the management of nations stored with 

 both civil and moral knowledge are suitable for such as are, 

 in a great measure, strangers to either ; and, consequently, 

 without the very means necessary to enable them to compre- 

 hend the more abstruse and complicated rules and regulations 

 calculated for the guidance of man in a state of actual civili- 

 zation. 



Most Bushmen pertinaciously avoid every communication 

 with foreigners, and resort to the most unfrequented and 

 inaccessible spots, upon the actual or even supposed approach 

 thereof. They are deeply versed in deceit, and treacherous 

 in the extreme, being always prepared to effect by guile and 

 perfidy what they otherwise are unable to accomplish.* 



» TIm Rev Mr Kic hirer, ;t Missionary, who laboured for some time 



