212 SOUTHERN AFRICA 



three dollars for every perambulation ; but this survey must 

 always be more or less vague ; and he is alleged sometimes 

 to take partiiil steps in support of a favourite claimant. 

 The boor, absolute master of these vs'ide domains, covers 

 them with flocks and herds, the care of which he commits 

 to his Hottentots, — obtaining thus the entire disposal of his 

 ovm. time, which he devotes to the most listless indolence. 

 He makes neither milk nor butter ; nor does he produce 

 either wine, fruits, or vegetables. The pipe never quits 

 his mouth, except to take his sojiie or glass of brandy, and 

 to eat three meals of mutton soaked in the fat of the 

 large-tailed sheep, without vegetables or even bread. The 

 good lady of the house, equally disdainful of toil, remains 

 almost as immoveable as the chair on which she sits, hav- 

 ing before her a table, always covered with hot coffee. The 

 daughters sit round with their hands folded, resembling ar- 

 ticles of furniture rather than youthful and living beings. 

 No diversion, no event, breaks the monotony of this insu- 

 lated existence ; nor does knowledge for them ever " unrol 

 her ample page." A schoolmaster, indeed, usually forms 

 part of the establishment ; but as it is thought too much to 

 maintain one for teaching only, he is expected to make 

 himself useful in sundry other capacities. Mr. Barrow 

 even saw one of this learned fraternity yoked in a plough. 

 Amid such varied avocations, these sage instructers cannot 

 be expected to convey to their pupils more than the mere 

 elements of reading and writing. At the same time, hospi- 

 tality knows scarcely any limits. With the exception of 

 their nearest neighbours, with whom they are probably in- 

 volved in boundary feuds, any person, from any quarter, is 

 welcome. The stranger opens the door, shakes hands 

 with the master, kisses the mistress, sits down, and makes 

 himself completely at home. 



From Graaf-Reynet, at the eastern extremity of the co- 

 lony, Mr. Barrow pushed forward without delay to the 

 country of the CaflTres, it being one main object of his journey 

 to adjust some differences between that people and the Eu- 

 ropean settlers. The first party he met after passing the 

 boundary made the most favourable impression upon him. 

 The females flocked and danced round the strangers, show- 

 ing the utmost curiosity, and receiving with delight pre- 

 sents of tobacco and brass buttons, yet never trespassing 



