» BETHELSDORP. 



ago on this identical spot. Algoa Bay, or Port 

 Elizabeth as it is now called, is the principal port of 

 the Eastern province. It was here that the British 

 settlers landed in 1820, since which period its im- 

 portance, in a commercial point of view, has con- 

 siderably increased, although in itself a most barren 

 and uninteresting spot. In consequence of a heavy 

 rolling surf it is sometimes difficult to effect a land- 

 ing, particularly when the wind blows from the south- 

 east ; yet it seldom happens that any accident occurs, 

 owing, in a great measure, to the precautions adopted 

 for managing the boats. The only inconvenience we 

 experienced, on this occasion, was a thorough drench- 

 ing, from the violence with which the surf broke over 

 the boat. Soon after landing, I proceeded to Be- 

 thelsdorp, about eight miles distant, the first esta- 

 blishment in this country of the London Mission- 

 ary Society, whose enterprising labours in the pro- 

 secution of their laudable objects have been ulti- 

 mately crowned with success. The station, with its 

 numerous buildings scattered in various directions, 

 presented the appearance of a small country vil- 

 lage, and reminded me, at first sight, of some quiet 

 and secluded hamlet in England ; until, on a nearer 

 approach, the barren aspect of the neighbour- 

 hood, slightly relieved by a few straggling aloes, 

 mesembryanthemum, cactus, and other plants indi- 

 genous to the sandy soil, but, above all, the costume 

 and complexion of the Hottentots, at once destroyed 



