CHAP. IX. NATIVE SINGING AT HANKEY. 243 



him an honourable position amongst the earliest advocates of 

 civil and religious liberty in that country. 



Before we left, the people of Hankey, and those of Kruis 

 FontajTi, invited us to a public tea meeting at their re- 

 spective stations, a sort of African soiree, which was con- 

 ducted with great propriety and much good feeling at both 

 places. The meeting at Hankey was held in the only large 

 building in the place, which at present serves the double 

 purpose of church and school. JNIore than 200 persons were 

 present, occupying seats on both sides of the building, while 

 a line of tables, covered with crockery and dishes of cakes of 

 different kinds, was extended along the centre. Mr. Philip 

 presided, a number of females had charge of the tables, 

 and the tea and cakes were carried on trays to the company 

 with readiness and order. The social entertainment was at 

 intervals enlivened with singing by the natives, both in English 

 and Dutch. Mr. Philip has paid much attention to this 

 important part of his people's education, and must feel amply 

 rewarded in witnessing the proficiency of many of his pupils. 

 One young African mother, with a child in her arms, seemed 

 to possess an unusually mellow voice. Sometimes a select 

 few sang a favourite piece, and at other times a larger 

 number joined. There was no need for repeated solicitations 

 before commencing, and there were no plaudits at the close ; 

 but to both singers and listeners it seemed to afford a high 

 degree of enjoyment. 



Speeches were delivered in the intervals between the 

 singing, and the addresses of some of the men were exceed- 

 ingly striking. There was no previously arranged programme 

 of subjects to be discussed, but each one spoke from the 

 promptings of his own feelings. On this account it was 

 curious to note the different tenor of the remarks as indi- 

 cating the tone and current of their thoughts. * Little refe- 

 rence was made to the future. Hope did not seem to have 



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