CAFFRARIA, 205 



tain milk ; and they also prepare the fields for seed, scratching the 

 earth, rather than digging of it, with wooden pick-axes. 



The huts of the Caffres are higher and more commodious than those 

 of the Hottentots : they form perfect hemispheres, and are composed 

 of wooden work, very strong and compact, covered both within and 

 without of a mixture of earth, clay, and cow-dung. The opening, or 

 door-way is so low, that to enter the dwelling you must crawl on your 

 hands and knees ; which makes it easier to defend themselves against 

 animals, or the sudden attacks of an enemy. The hearth, or fire-place,, 

 is in the centre, surrounded by a circular rim which rises two or three 

 inches. 



The lands of Caffraria, either from their situation or the number of 

 small rivers that refresh them, are more fertile than those of the Hot- 

 tentots. The Caffres practise agriculture ; which proves they are not 

 naturally wanderers. 



I have remarked, continues M. Vaillant, that, notwithstanding the 

 beautiful forests that adorn Caffraria, and delightful pastures which 

 spring up and almost cover the animals which feed on them ; not- 

 withstanding those rivers and streams which cross each other in a 

 thousand different directions, to render them rich and fertile ; their 

 oxen, their cows, and almost all their animals, are much smaller than 

 those of the Hottentots : a difference which undoubtedly arises from 

 the nature of the sap, and a certain flavour predominant in every kind 

 of grass. I have made the observation both on domestic and wild 

 animals, whieh never acquire the size of those bred in the dry barren 

 countries I have passed through. 



Industry is a leading trait in the character of the Caffres. Some arts., 

 taught indeed by necessity, a love of agriculture, with a few religious 

 dogmas, distinguish them as a more civilized people than those towards 

 the south. 



Circumcision, which is generally practised among them, proves 

 that they either owe their origin to an ancient people, or have simply 

 imitated the inhabitants of some neighbouring country, of whom they 

 have no longer any remembrance ; they do not use it (as they say) in 

 any religious or mystical sense. 



They acknowledge a Supreme Being, and believe in a future state, 

 where the good will be rewarded, and the wicked punished ; but have 

 no idea of the creation, thinking the world had no beginning, and will 

 ever continue in its present state. They have no sacred ceremonies. 

 They instruct their own children, having no priests ; but, instead ol 

 them, a kind of sorcerers or conjurors, whom they greatly distinguish 

 and revere. 



The Caffres are governed by a chief or king, whose power is very 

 limited, receiving no tax, having no troops at his command, but be- 

 ing the father of a free people ; neither attended nor feared, but res- 

 pected and beloved, and frequently poorer than many of his subjects. 

 Being permitted to take as many wives as he pleases, who think it 

 an honour to belong to him, it is necessary that he should have a 

 larger portion of land to cultivate, and a greater number of cattle to 

 tend and feed : these being his only resources for the maintenance of 

 his numerous family, he is frequently in danger of being ruined. His 

 cabin is neither higher nor better decorated than the rest ; his whole 

 family and seraglio live round him, composing a group of a dozen o; 

 fifteen huts : the adjoining lands are generally of his own cultivation. 



It is a custom among the Caffres, for each to gather his own grain, 



