Foreign Notices : — Africa. 493 



abroad. The mischiefs these teachers have already occasioned are, per- 

 haps, past reparation, their tales having obtained for the Hottentots what 

 it was presumed by the well meaning but misled government at home 

 would benefit those tribes, namely a repeal of the restrictions which pre- 

 vented them from strolling about like gipsies through the country, unless 

 they had written passes from the missionaries, or their employers. This 

 act of grace, as it is termed by some, will, in my humble opinion, tend 

 more towards the extirpation of the race, by a contrary effect to that 

 intended, and in direct opposition to the wholesome restrictions which for- 

 merly governed them, than any alleged acts of oppression under the old 

 system could have done. 



The low price of wines and spirits, the latter being the favourite beverage 

 of the Hottentots, and the facility they have of procuring a few pence by 

 occasional industry, or by plunder, allows them to indulge in drunkenness 

 and other vices. The Hottentots were acquainted with intoxicating drinks 

 before their connection with Europeans j and, even yet, will make use of 

 them when ardent spirits are beyond their reach. 



The Hottentots, when they are good, are a mild and affectionate race, 

 and make faithful servants. They are not naturally of that dull and phleg- 

 matic character which many suppose, but enjoy a liveliness and mental 

 capacity which occasionally shows itself in the exercise of sarcastic wit, at 

 the expense of each other, or at the cost of their employers, whose per- 

 sonalities and peculiarities do not escape their humorous and expert mi- 

 micry. Possessed of an easy and tractable temper, the Hottentot is not 

 difficult to manage ; he requires a particular but not a severe method, ac- 

 companied by moderate and certain rewards : it is owing solely to pliability 

 of temper, and not to innate villany, that the Hottentot too often becomes 

 a hypocrite. 



Another obstacle to immediate improvement in the agriculture of the 

 Cape, and a most serious one, which ought alone to refute the indiscrimi- 

 nate accusation of indolence imputed to the inhabitant peasantry, consists 

 in the expense and difficulty of transporting produce in large quantities and 

 from distant parts, owing to the badness of the roads : but, unless some of 

 the farmers undertake long and wearisome journeys, they cannot dispose of 

 their produce, nor procure at reasonable rates the few luxuries of European 

 clothing, and the necessary implements required in farming operations. 

 Under these difficulties, were it not for dire necessity, many of the farmers 

 would decline raising more grain on their farms than would be sufficient 

 for themselves and families. Under the judicious and prompt management 

 of our present worthy governor, the state of the roads is improving, as far as 

 the limited means at his command afford ; and it is to be hoped that these 

 necessary works will meet with every assistance from home. 



The prices which grain has lately brought have given a stimulus to far- 

 ther industry ; the opening of the ports to the export of corn has caused a 

 greater breadth to be sown, and I shall be greatly mistaken if the colony 

 will ever suffer again from famine, as it did a few years ago. Here I must 

 remark, that the greatest noise was made by the body of the settlers, most 

 of whom, at their first landing, regretted the flesh-pots and accompani- 

 ments which they had left behind, and hundreds of them would have 

 returned to distressed England had they possessed the means. Their 

 complaints were loud : although supplied with good rations, something was 

 still wanting. Not so with the patient and hardy peasantry : they, a? they 

 always have done in similar cases, put up with a flesh diet, were thankful 

 and silent. 



I need not enquire the motives which induce so many persons to emi- 

 grate. Discontent appears to have a great share in those movements. 

 Num.bers who have arrived within the last seven years at the Cape con- 

 fess that they were not badly off when they left England, but expected to 



