PREFACE. 
Theee considerations have combined, in inducing the pub- 
lication of the present W ork. 
First — The numerous and repeated solicitations of friends, 
and more especially of my clerical^brethren, " that I would 
supply them with a book, descriptive of South Africa, and 
its various tribes ; from which, without the expenditure of 
much time, they might be able to derive useful, as well as 
general, and authentic information." Eor those who are 
interested in the welfare of the African heathen, and the 
extension of our Mission Fields, amongst their numerous 
tribes, such a work seemed certainly wanted. 
Secondly — Missionaries, Officers, Emigrants, Travellers, 
and others going to this country, necessarily, and urgently, 
require a " Guide Book;" in which notices may easily be 
found, bearing on all points of general interest and utility 
in connection with it, 
And Lastly — The non-existence of such a work, as the 
one above described. 
These combined, have induced me to try and turn my 
past experience and information (derived from a sojourn of 
nearly five years in the country) to some account, by at- 
tempting the compilation of the present volume. 
