STATE OF EDUCATION AMONG THE BOORS. 63 
protection the traveller who may visit their distant 
and lonely dwellings. Vague reports of what is 
passing at the other extremity of the Colony some- 
times reach them through the Government Courant, 
which is sent weekly to the Veld Cornet of the dis- 
trict. Beyond this, they have little acquaintance with 
any passing events of the day, and the distance which 
Separates one from the other tends to suppress that 
spirit of emulation that might otherwise have a bene- 
ficial influence upon their agricultural pursuits and 
domestic duties. . 
The few opportunities possessed by the farmers 
residing on the borders of obtaining education for 
their children must naturally oppose their advance- 
ment; and until the last few years this object has 
been sadly neglected and undervalued. It is true 
the * Meister” was generally found in the family 
of the Boor whose circumstances would allow of 
such an addition to the household; but in the 
appointment, his qualifications were seldom of 
much consideration; and hence, old discharged 
soldiers were usually seen filling these situations 
without any capabilities for such employment, 
and sometimes possessing habits that should 
have altogether disqualified them from such an 
office. 
In the life of Oberlin it is stated that, when M. 
Stoubert went to take possession of the cure of Ban 
de la Roche, he began by first inquiring into the 
